Att kommunicera hållbarhet : en undersökning av hållbarhetsdebatten via internet

Abstract: This master thesis is about sustainable city planning and its debate. It is also concerned with networking, communication and web-based communication. Theories of sustainable development are discussed, along with the importance of communication for sustainable development. The report is directed towards landscape architects, architects, town planners, other designers and other interested readers.MotivationI believe that there is a need for an increased discussion concerning sustainability. Sustainable development is an important issue for city planners. I find a lack of Swedish websites dedicated to the sustainable city debate. I see a need for such a website, for discussion, networking, inspiration and communication of ideas and information. The aim is to discuss sustainability in planning and investigate the problems detaining the adaption to sustainable planning models. Further aims are to get in touch with others who are motivated to make a change.Problem statementA generalized approach to the issue of promoting sustainable city development.- Why is sustainability urgent to discuss?- What is detaining the sustainable development?- How can websites be useful for sustainable development?- What is lacking among Swedish websites concerned with sustainability? - Why are communication and networking important for a sustainable development? The urgent need for sustainable development originates in our accelerating global problems with climate change, poverty and unfair distribution of natural resources. Planning of today is based on economy. Despite knowledge and results of scientific research, it seems that decision makers, corporations and architects choose not to invest in sustainable development, but have different priorities. Ecology is not considered, in the pursuit of economical growth. The value of ecosystem services is largely invisible.ApproachThe work process consisted of literature studies, study visits on seminars, networking and the making of a website with forums. Spreading the word about my website and exploring the range of existing websites, was also part of the process. Creating forum topics was part of the making of the website. This was to enable an experiment to investigate how a website can stimulate the debate.To be able to contribute, I created a website for communication of knowledge and ideas. The forum topics aspire to initiate a discussion of how to go about the implementation of political decisions suggesting sustainable development. The site also raises the question of how landscape architects can contribute to the sustainable city development. Contacting organizations and individuals with a potential interest to participate in the debate on the website or otherwise, was a part of distributing my website. I made contact with several motivated people.In exploring existing websites, I limited my search to active Swedish websites concerned with discussing sustainability, city planning and closely related topics. ResultsAn expanded social network, contacts for enhanced networking, communication and cooperation, for discussion regarding sustainable city planning. A website as a node for networking, and enhanced understanding of the complexity of the sustainability issue. Insight in communication of ideas and commitment. An overview of existing Swedish websites for sustainability debate.Sustainable development is defined by the Brundtland Commission, as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (Wikipedia 2011) The holistic view of sustainable development includes social, economic and ecological sustainability.Social sustainability is based on public participation and dialog with the people concerned. My website, PreApokalyptiskt Forum (PreApocalyptic Forum), is a website for sustainability debate. The website is an attempt to fill the need for a website focused on sustainable city planning. The website has been useful for networking, but did not result in much discussion on the actual website.ConclusionsLack of communication is an obstacle. Awareness and cooperation is necessary for long term sustainable economic, social and ecological development. A common view on facts and sustainable city development has to be created through communication and cooperation.Sustainable city development needs to be supported by strategies. The long-term perspective has to be clearly linked to every day decisions. Nature gives us a lot for free. We risk losing that because we don’t value ecosystem services and resources high enough. One reason for short-term investment is insufficient knowledge of long-term economic benefits of ecologically sound solutions. Ecosystem services need to be made visible in economic terms.A social network consists of members with common interests. Some reasons for being part of a network are to. Networks increase opportunities for interaction between individuals and can be a catalyst for creativity. Websites can be useful for communication and discussion, with functions to facilitate networking and contact with other motivated people. Networking seems necessary if you want to participate in the sustainability debate. Sustainability is the most urgent planning issue right now. There are many guidelines for implementing sustainable solutions, and it pays off in the long run. Planners and architects are in a good position to take a greater responsibility for sustainable development. We should take part in the debate, by both asking for and designing for sustainability, for the opportunity to make relevant contributions to the development.We must promote sustainability and make sustainable solutions attractive and make sustainable planning the given solution. To manage this, we need to communicate the urgency of sustainable development and connect to other motivated individuals, to create networks for cooperation for sustainability.