Methodological Proposal for Analysis of Sustainable Development from a Socio-ecological Systems Approach

Abstract

For public policies to promote sustainable development to have a positive impact, they must be based on territorial diagnoses that consider the emergency conditions of development.  A methodology of three complementary stages is proposed that facilitate the analysis of development as a systemic phenomenon, allowing the evaluation of the characteristics and interrelation of territorial subsystems. In addition, it provides a tool to assess the network of social relationships that give structure and support to the territory. Finally, the methodology investigates the conditions of the territory to generate strategies that allow it to remain over time without seeing its structure irreversibly modified. In short, a diagnostic tool is presented that will allow a better design of strategies and public policies for the promotion of sustainable development at a local scale.