Grasping complexity: analysing risk for sustainable development

University dissertation from Lund University

Author: Per Becker; Lunds Universitet.; Lund University.; Lunds Universitet.; Lund University.; Lunds Universitet.; Lund University.; [2010]

Keywords: TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY; SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP; SOCIAL SCIENCES; TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY; sustainable development; design; Development; risk; risk analysis; sustainability science; disaster; value; hazard; vulnerability; system; capability; human-environment systems; systems approach; design science.;

Abstract: Sustainable development relies on our ability to make decisions today that will determine our tomorrow. Given that uncertainty is explicitly allowed to influence our view of what the future holds for us, most ex ante analyses of challenges for sustainable development can be viewed as analysing risk. Many frameworks for analysing risk exist today, but analysing risk for sustainable development entails different requirements. By applying a combination of traditional science and design science, this thesis presents six such requirements, informed by available theory and new empirical studies. The thesis also presents six criteria for scientifically developing frameworks for analysing risk for sustainable development.

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