Understanding cities as social-ecological systems

摘要: This paper builds on earlier ecological approaches to urban development, as well more recent thinking in the fields of sustainability science, resilience and complexity theory, propose a conceptual framework for understanding cities social-ecological systems (SESs) point departure further dialogue study sustainability. It proposes that should be understood (1) complex, adaptive are (2) integrated across spheres matter, life human social cultural phenomena (or mind), (3) structured nested allows interaction scales levels organisation, (4) what differentiates (and SESs) from other types ecosystems is introduction abstract thought symbolic construction considered novelty, communication ideas time space, therefore learning, reflexive thinking.