Sustainability assessment as problem structuring: three typical ways

• DOI: 10.1007/s11625-016-0417-x
• Publication Date: 2017-01-10T07:10:43Z
• Authors: M. Dijk; J. de Kraker; A. van Zeijl-Rozema; H. van Lente; C. Beumer; S. Beemsterboer; P. Valkering
• Keywords: Reflexivity; Structuring

Sustainability assessment (SA) is an increasingly popular term referring to a broad range of approaches align decision-making with the principles sustainability. Nevertheless, in public and private sectors sustainability results are still disappointing, this paper reflects on problem proposes way forward. We argue that, because issues generally wicked problems (i.e. 'complex interconnected factors pluralistic context'), effective assessments need be reflexive about definition issue criteria for sustainable solutions. Based distinction policy problems, we characterize SA as form structuring, distinguish three typical ways corresponding different integrating reflexivity assessment. illustrate these routes examples. discuss integrated each example by discussing mix methods, process epistemological balance. Rather than merely calling more stakeholder participation, our aim call into approach, conclude proposing map support this.