Title: Transitioning to sustainability: pathways, directions and opportunities

Authors: Carol Boyle; Peter Head; David Hood; Maggie Lawton; Ian Lowe; Martin O'Connor; John Peet; Hans Schreier; Jorge Vanegas

Addresses: Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, NZ 1142, New Zealand ' Institute for Sustainability, Arup, 13 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 4BQ, UK ' Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; David A Hood & Associates Pty Ltd., 122 Waverley Road, Taringa, QLD 4068, Australia ' Futurebydesign Ltd., 8 High St., Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand ' School of Science, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, 170 Kessells Road, Nathan Queensland 4111, Australia ' L'observatoire de Versailles Saint-Quentin (OVSQ), Université de Versailles St-Quentin-en-Yvelines, 11 Boulevard d'Alembert, 78280 Guyancourt, France ' The Sustainability Society, P.O. Box 305270, Triton Plaza, Auckland 0757, New Zealand ' Faculty of Land and Food Sciences, The University of British Columbia, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Campus, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada ' College of Architecture, Texas A&M University, 3137 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-3137, USA

Abstract: The transition to sustainability requires not only an understanding of the risks that society is facing but the development of pathways that will enable the shift towards sustainability. Such risks include not only resources and global warming but also established economic models and social ethics and values. This paper identifies how the risks facing global societies are being addressed, and outlines methods that are being used to identify and create dialogues with stakeholders. Cities, due to their direct role in ensuring that the needs of their communities are met, are providing leading visions and strategies in achieving sustainability in collaboration with other cities and with companies. Models for identifying stakeholders and enabling multiple perspectives to be integrated into discussions have been developed and are being put into practice. These are being enhanced through use of computer models, geographic information systems, mind mapping and matrix tools to develop visions and strategies for sustainable cities.

Keywords: sustainable cities; sustainable economics; stakeholder engagement; sustainability risks; sustainable development; transition to sustainability; collaboration; modelling; geographic information systems; GIS; mind mapping; matrix tools.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSD.2013.056560

International Journal of Sustainable Development, 2013 Vol.16 No.3/4, pp.166 - 189

Published online: 30 Jun 2014 *

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