Abstract
This Special Feature Volume examines the potential value of the Systems Approach Framework (SAF) as a methodological framework for the transition to sustainable development in coastal zones. This article provides insight on the Systems Approach, the theory behind it, and how its practical application to coastal zone systems (CZSs) was developed. The SAF is about information for management through a focus on how to generate a higher, dynamic level of information about complex CZSs and how to render this information more useful to end users through a participatory suite of communication methods. The SAF is an open research methodology that investigates the function of systems in order to simulate specific issues or questions concerning their function. The research articles that are included in this Volume demonstrate examples of coupled multidisciplinary methods integrated into SAF simulations appropriate to a selected policy issue and to the social-environmental conditions of each Study Site Application. Their findings are not the result of funded research projects; instead, they are byproducts of pilot applications conducted to develop and improve the SAF methodology. The final article of this Volume synthesizes these results in the context of the SAF as a higher level instrument for integrated coastal zone management.
Highlights
The SPICOSA Project As an Integrated Project (IP), SPICOSA (Science and Policy Integration for Coastal Systems Assessment) developed a product that would stimulate research restructuring and greater integration of new knowledge and methods throughout the European Region
The objective was that it would be a self-evolving, holistic research approach for the integrated assessment of complex systems so that the best available scientific knowledge could be mobilized in support of deliberative and decision-making processes aimed at improving the sustainability of Coastal Zone Systems (CZS)
We describe here the four basic steps of the Systems Approach Framework (SAF) application (Figure 5) in the form of brief descriptions of the major tasks for each step
Summary
The SPICOSA Project As an Integrated Project (IP), SPICOSA (Science and Policy Integration for Coastal Systems Assessment) developed a product that would stimulate research restructuring and greater integration of new knowledge and methods throughout the European Region. The objective was that it would be a self-evolving, holistic research approach for the integrated assessment of complex systems so that the best available scientific knowledge could be mobilized in support of deliberative and decision-making processes aimed at improving the sustainability of Coastal Zone Systems (CZS). The systems approach can be used to construct other frameworks (land use, urban planning, industry, etc.), the SAF is used in this Volume to refer to that developed by SPICOSA for the purpose of managing CZSs. the SAF was designed to be an open framework based on systems thinking (Checkland 1981, Capra 1996) that can incorporate aspects of other methodologies or supplement previous approaches to implementing ICZM
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
