1st International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software - Lugano, Switzerland - June 2002
Keywords
sustainable development, systems analysis, modelling, performance of systems, distribution patterns, dss
Start Date
1-7-2002 12:00 AM
Abstract
The paper presents integrated systems analysis (ISA) as a "tool" for modelling and for thedevelopment of decision support systems (DSS). ISA enhances understanding of the complex relationshipsbetween different disciplines in the form of inputs fi transformations fi outputs and also facilitates anunderstanding of the term sustainable development. Further, the paper presents a definition and model of ISAand discusses performance of component systems or distribution patterns in relation to a time horizon. Somecomponent systems create constraints and impact other component systems which over time undergotransformations such as self-organisation and self-regulation. Some component systems may adopt a distributionpattern as an output. Therefore, behaviour of component systems or distribution patterns may be defined asgrowth, decline, stable conditions or oscillation. On the basis of the above it is possible to apply an integrationof disciplines by integrated analysis of relevant component systems. Further, the adoption of this approachpromotes the conclusion that sustainable development may be modelled, managed and maintained by control ofthe relevant component systems. In general terms component systems may be classified as those which impacton others, and those which are impacted on by other component systems. Population growth and all humanactivities generate component systems which, clearly, impact on component systems of the environment.General examples of ISA are Agenda 21, climatic changes and impact of population on the environment.Specific examples of ISA may be considered to be analyses which justify the need to, eg: improve water quality;reduce soil salinity; or define the distribution pattern of population in a country to improve strategic planning ofcities. ISA may be considered as a "tool" for integrated modelling and assessment (IMA) which provides inputsto DSS for appropriate management of sustainable development/sustainable systems.
Integrated Systems Analysis and Sustainable Development
The paper presents integrated systems analysis (ISA) as a "tool" for modelling and for thedevelopment of decision support systems (DSS). ISA enhances understanding of the complex relationshipsbetween different disciplines in the form of inputs fi transformations fi outputs and also facilitates anunderstanding of the term sustainable development. Further, the paper presents a definition and model of ISAand discusses performance of component systems or distribution patterns in relation to a time horizon. Somecomponent systems create constraints and impact other component systems which over time undergotransformations such as self-organisation and self-regulation. Some component systems may adopt a distributionpattern as an output. Therefore, behaviour of component systems or distribution patterns may be defined asgrowth, decline, stable conditions or oscillation. On the basis of the above it is possible to apply an integrationof disciplines by integrated analysis of relevant component systems. Further, the adoption of this approachpromotes the conclusion that sustainable development may be modelled, managed and maintained by control ofthe relevant component systems. In general terms component systems may be classified as those which impacton others, and those which are impacted on by other component systems. Population growth and all humanactivities generate component systems which, clearly, impact on component systems of the environment.General examples of ISA are Agenda 21, climatic changes and impact of population on the environment.Specific examples of ISA may be considered to be analyses which justify the need to, eg: improve water quality;reduce soil salinity; or define the distribution pattern of population in a country to improve strategic planning ofcities. ISA may be considered as a "tool" for integrated modelling and assessment (IMA) which provides inputsto DSS for appropriate management of sustainable development/sustainable systems.
