The promotion of sustainable development opens up the debates surrounding our relationship with the natural world; what constitutes social progress; and the character of development in the present and into the future. Answering the need for an introductory; comprehensive; yet critical book that explores the challenges involved in the implementation of sustainable development; this revealing text investigates this subject across different socio-political and economic contexts. It combines an examination of the institutional engagement with sustainable development at a global level; with an empirically informed discussion on challenges facing high consumption societies; economies in transition and third world countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable development.Recognizing that promoting sustainable development is a quintessentially global task; the book focuses on the authoritative Brundtland formulation of sustainable development and the role of the United Nations Summits in promoting this vision. The empirical focus of the book is complemented by strong conceptual discussions as sustainable development is explored as part of new efforts; albeit tentative; to integrate environmental; economic and (more recently) social considerations into a new development paradigm.Providing an accessible; up-to-date and comprehensive treatment of the issues surrounding the promotion of sustainable development; this unique; internationally-focused book combines a strong conceptual analysis; with wide ranging empirical focus and a wealth of case material. Including summary points and suggestions for further reading; as well as web resources and an extensive bibliography; it is ideal for students; scholars and researchers in the fields of environmental sciences; politics; sociology and development studies.
#2820736 in eBooks 2006-04-07 2006-04-07File Name: B000OI19HG
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Very disappointed; particularly given the priceBy modoistI generally agree with the first reviewer that this book describes the "basic theory in a simple way." For me; it was entirely too basic; even simplistic. I was very disappointed to pay this price to learn that edges of planes are lines or that planes together define a space. I was also disappointed to see that most of the landscape imagery was black and white with rather weak contrast. There are a few color plates at the end of the book but way too few.If you want a coffee table quality book on the subject; the kind worth nearly $200; look elsewhere. If you want a solid foundational text on the elements of visual design in landscape; ditto. I am an avid lover of mountain terrains (face-to-face; in art; and even in CG creations) but I have no expertise in forestry; land management; or landscape architecture. Maybe I am missing the subtleties.1 of 3 people found the following review helpful. good for my thesisBy Su; Wei-chiaIm building a useful studying frame for my master thesis. I dont want to spend too much on art and just try to get some little but important knoeledge. There are some ideas in this book. It describe the basic theory in the simple way.