Sustainable development indicators for land use in Santiago, Chile

Abstract

Human transformations of land systems are considered as the largest source of change on earth (Kok, Verburg et al. 2007). Human societies and land are both complex systems which are interconnected each other and co-evolve in mutual interaction permanently. Traditionally, conversions of natural land to human use have been linked to several environmental and social problems (Vollmer 2005). Assessment of sustainability for land systems are an unavoidable part for land-use planning, management and decision-making. They constitute a key issue pertaining to sustainable land-use. In Chile, as in most developing countries, land activities have transformed a large proportion of the nation’s land surface, especially in larger cities and their surrounding areas, such as the Metropolitan Region of Santiago. Rapid growth experienced in Santiago in the past decades has increased economic development at the expense of losses in environmental quality and land resources availability. In order to propose sustainability indicators for land-use in Santiago, a multidimensional framework called The MAIN tetra is presented (Kain 2000). This analytical model allows interpreting through a four-pointed tetrahedron defined by MIND – ARTIFACTS – INSTITUTIONS – NATURE – the dimensions of sustainable development. Since land system is considered a dynamic system, proposed indicators look forward to represent changing trends for the natural land features, land ownership and land management characteristics. In parallel, interviews to selected stakeholders were conducted, in order to enrich the SDI construction with perception of stakeholders' approaches about land use and sustainability. Proposed indicators include a review of the whole land system and its parts, consider a multidimensional approach, and proposed time frame for further assessment. Indicators also focus on urban-rural development and pressure over the land resources, and propose a limited number of key issues for analysis and a limited number of indicators (37 indicators). The information obtained from this research can be used for contributing to planning and policy creation, support land use policy priorities, encourage debate and spark interest in sustainability issues.