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An alternative definition of sustainable development using stability and chaos theories

Author

Listed:
  • Amir Abbas Rassafi

    (International University, Iran)

  • Hossain Poorzahedy

    (Sharif University of Technology, Iran)

  • Manouchehr Vaziri

    (Sharif University of Technology, Iran)

Abstract

This paper is an endeavour to give an alternative definition for sustainable development (SD). It reviews the previous works in this area, and finds common grounds of these works, namely dynamism and quantification of the system. The paper then discusses dynamic stability and relates it to the concept of sustainability. It constructs an analogy between sustainability objectives and dynamic stability. The discussion continues to introduce chaos as one inherent characteristic of socio-economic systems because of their nonlinear behaviour. A new definition of SD is then proposed. It is applied to the dynamic models that describe the inter-relationships of environmental, economic and social variables. Finally, an example system has been employed to show the applicability of the definition. Policy-related parameters have been chosen to show the conditions in which the system is sustainable. This exercise shows that the presented method of identifying the conditions of sustainability could be usefully exploited in making decisions at macro levels. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Amir Abbas Rassafi & Hossain Poorzahedy & Manouchehr Vaziri, 2006. "An alternative definition of sustainable development using stability and chaos theories," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 14(1), pages 62-71.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:14:y:2006:i:1:p:62-71
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.268
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. David Pearce, 1988. "Optimal Prices for Sustainable Development," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: David Collard & David Pearce & David Ulph (ed.), Economics, Growth and Sustainable Environments, chapter 5, pages 57-66, Palgrave Macmillan.
    2. Oliva, Rogelio, 2003. "Model calibration as a testing strategy for system dynamics models," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 151(3), pages 552-568, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Katie Williams & Carol Dair, 2007. "A framework of sustainable behaviours that can be enabled through the design of neighbourhood-scale developments," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 15(3), pages 160-173.
    2. Ludmila Petkovová & David Hartman & Tomáš Pavelka, 2020. "Problems of Aggregation of Sustainable Development Indicators at the Regional Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Aysin Sev, 2009. "How can the construction industry contribute to sustainable development? A conceptual framework," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 17(3), pages 161-173.

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