Synchronizing science and technology with human behaviour
by Ralf Brand

Paperback: 174 pages
Publisher: Earthscan, London 2005
Language: English
ISBN: 1844072479 (pb); 1844072517 (hc)


Presentation
Sustainable development has tended to occur on two diverging paths: one technology-focused, the other favouring bahavioural solutions. This text links these two paths 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 devoloped 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 criticism. Through detailed analysis and diverse case studies, the readers is presented with a clear picture of a more holistic approach to planning sustainable cities and regions, wich will be invaluable for students and professionals alike.


Contents

1 Setting the stage
7 The nature of the problem
  The technical-fix approach
  The behavioural-fix approach
  Ringing bells
  The seamless web
35 Co-evolution in action
  Hasselt
  Fuerstenfeldbruck
67 Towards a theory of co-evolution
  Limits to describe are limits to imagine
  Co-evolution as deliberate symbiosis
  The memetics of co-evolution
77 Memes of co-evolution
  New technologies provide a new range of choices
  New technologies make socially desired behaviours attractive
  Participation facilitates synchronic pre-adaptation
  New technologies require social embedding
  Strategic alliances are more productive than ideological purity
  Inventiveness enables a departure from the prevailing discourse
  Critical mass is crucial to overcome path dependencies
  Definition of co-evolution
123 Anticipation of criticism
  Co-evolution is old wine in new bottles
  Established professions will undermine co-evolution
  Common sense is not susceptible to co-evolution
  Co-evolution is not radical enough
  Co-evolution is too radical
  Co-evolution sets the fox to guard the geese
  Co-evolution only works under strong leadership
145 Conclusions
  Summary
  Assessing structural frames
  Creating awareness of contingency
  Assisted problem definition
  The search for solutions


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.