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  • © 2019

Urban Galapagos

Transition to Sustainability in Complex Adaptive Systems

  • Takes complex adaptive systems from theory to practice
  • Delivers insights in resilient cities applicable globally
  • Establishes coupled natural urban systems as a tool for research and design

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
  2. Complexity and Consequence in Coupled Natural Urban Systems

    • Thomas Kvan, Justyna Karakiewicz
    Pages 1-6
  3. The Galapagos as a Living Laboratory

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 7-7
    2. The Galapagos Urban Context

      • Jaime Eduardo López Andrade, Diego Quiroga Ferri
      Pages 9-22
    3. Understanding Coupled Urban-Natural Dynamics as the Key to Sustainability: The Example of the Galapagos

      • Michael Batty, Luís M. A. Bettencourt, Michael Kirley
      Pages 23-41
    4. Scales and Transformative Change: Transitions in the Galapagos

      • Fjalar J. de Haan, Diego Quiroga Ferri, Stephen J. Walsh, Luıs M. A. Bettencourt
      Pages 43-58
  4. Socio-ecological Models

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 59-59
    2. Demographics of Change: Modeling the Transition of Fishers to Tourism in the Galapagos Islands

      • Stephen J. Walsh, Kim Engie, Philip H. Page, Brian G. Frizzelle
      Pages 61-83
  5. Models of Change

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 95-95
    2. Toward Urban Self-Sufficiency in the Galapagos Islands

      • Justyna Karakiewicz
      Pages 115-136
    3. Avoiding the Color Gray: Parametrizing CAS to Incorporate Reactive Scripting

      • Mark Burry, Camilo Cruz, Geoff Kimm
      Pages 137-154
  6. Back Matter

    Pages 161-163

About this book

This book addresses the future of urbanisation on the Galapagos Islands from a systems, governance and design perspective with the competing parameters of liveability, economic and ecological, using the Galapagos as a laboratory for the theoretical and postulative understanding of evolving settlement and habitation.

The Galapagos islands are one of the world’s most examined and reported examples of a series of naturally evolving ecosystems. The biodiversity of these island ecosystems are the focus of tourism and the image across the world yet human settlement are part of the local ecology. While human intervention is limited, the islands are a distinctive context in which to consider the impact of human habitation as a part of our ecosystems.

In this book, authors take the framework of complex adaptive systems (CAS) in which to model systems that grow and evolve, the relations between these various sectors change; systems that get more complex as they evolve. Testedand applied discretely in the two realms of natural and urban, for the first time this text will bring the two together in understanding options for the future of urban settlements on the Galapagos Islands and, by extension, consider how the approach can be used globally in other contexts.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Melbourne School of Design, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

    Thomas Kvan, Justyna Karakiewicz

About the editors

Professor Tom Kvan is Pro Vice Chancellor (Campus and Global Developments) in which role he provides leadership in the alignment of academic and research strategies with opportunities for campus developments and has particular responsibilities for partnerships in the Middle East and Africa.

Tom has many years in senior leadership roles in three universities, most recently serving from 2007 – 2015 as Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning in Melbourne during which time he led the establishment of the Melbourne School of Design and delivered an award winning building to host the graduate school. He was Professor and Dean at the University from Hong Kong, being a member of HKU from 1993-2005.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access