Synchronizing Science and Technology with Human Behaviour: The Co-Evolution of Sustainable Infrastructures - Hardcover

Brand, Ralf

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1844072517 ISBN 13: 9781844072514

Publisher: Earthscan Ltd, 2005

Synopsis

'A rare achievement, one of the first books to link technological and behavioural change to the sustainability agenda' - Charles Landry, author of "The Creative City". 'Any course interested in sustainable development in practice would benefit from the case studies here' - Dr Adrian Smith, SPRU Science and Technology Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex, UK. Two disjointed voices can be identified in the prevailing sustainability discourse: one technology-focused, the other favouring behavioural solutions. This new, practical text bridges the gap in a 'co-evolutionary' framework, enabling more sustainable policies and projects to be developed. Arguing that technical and social realms are much more connected than most people concerned with sustainability tend to admit, the author has developed an innovative and integrated strategy that encourages planners, architects and politicians to work with end-users in 'co-designing' technologies and infrastructures that make socially desired behaviours more attractive. Having explained the nature of the problem, the author outlines key concepts and shared characteristics of co-evolutionary projects and anticipates possible criticisms. Through detailed analysis and diverse case studies, the reader is presented with a clear picture of a more holistic approach to planning sustainable cities and regions, which will be invaluable for students and professionals alike. This will be an invaluable textbook and planning tool suitable for students of science and technology studies (STS), regional policy and planning, and practitioners including city and regional planners, policy makers and consultants.

About this title

About the Author

Ralf Brand is a director of International Agenda 21 Consulting of the German Sustainability Performance Group and lecturer in the School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering at Queen's University, Belfast.

Edition details

• Publisher: Earthscan Ltd
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1844072517
• ISBN 13: 9781844072514
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 184