Participatory modelling for sustainable development: Key issues derived from five cases of natural resource and disaster risk management. Issue 76 (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hedelin, Beatrice; Evers, Mariele; Alkan-Olsson, Johanna; Jonsson, Anna
• Is Part Of: Environmental science & policy. Issue 76(2017)
• Page Start: 185
• Page End: 196
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Participatory modelling -- Sustainable development -- Procedure -- Research need -- Natural resources management -- Disaster risk management; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Sciences de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Environmental policy; Environmental sciences; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70561
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2017.07.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-9011

Abstract

Abstract: Stakeholder participation is considered a key principle for sustainable development in the context of natural resource and disaster risk management. Participatory modelling (PM) is an interactive and iterative process in which stakeholder involvement is supported by modelling and communication tools. Planning and decision-making for sustainable development (SD)integrate three substantive dimensions − social, ecological and economic. The procedural dimension of SD, however, is equally important, and here we see great potential for PM. In this study, we evaluate five PM research projects against criteria for the procedural dimension of SD. This provides a basis for identifying key issues and needs for further research into PM for SD. While the cases show great potential, especially for supporting knowledge integration, learning and transparent handling of values and perspectives, they indicate a particular need to develop PM in respect of organizational integration. This issue is closely connected to the possibility of effectively implementing PM in practice.