An interconnected path for social-ecological systems

In an era of environmental changes, where risks are becoming ever so grave for humans and non-humans across the planet, how to devise a development path that minimizes the threats, looking out for a brighter future?
This research tries to address this question, building on the fundamental tenet that humans and nature are inextricably interconnected, and such an interdependence shapes their shared future. Furthermore, it is time to close the gap between resilience and sustainability when devising a common development path.
To this end, it is necessary a tool to investigate complex social-ecological systems and the inherent, complex interactions. Here, the panarchy theory was revised under the geographical lenses of disaster risk reduction, and social-ecological interactions were decoded to identify a categorisation of desirable conditions for a sound, integrated development. This also allowed to design a novel Combined Assessment of Resilience and Sustainability (CAReS) at the municipal scale, that focusing on flood risk was adapted to two case studies, Marche Region (Italy) and Hokkaido - (Japan). The analysis quantitatively investigated the levels of resilience and sustainability of the municipalities, and then explored the thoughts of local communities on local risks.
Results evidenced the role of flood events in determining the resilience capacities of local communities, and of anthropic impacts in defining their sustainability. At the same time, social welfare and protection appeared pivotal in building local resilience, while the presence of vegetation shaped sustainability. Besides, a substantial mismatch emerged between assessed and perceived conditions of resilience and sustainability, generally in negative terms.
Eventually, this approach is intended to inform risk reduction strategies and local governance, to foster a continuous effort of adjustment and renovation of local communities towards a common, interconnected future.

Alessandra Colocci is a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Brescia, where she teaches the course "Cartography and GIS" and laboratory of "Sustainability Certifications". Her main research interests include the governance of local adaptation to climate change and integrated approaches to sustainable development. Among the latest published works is "The role of sustainable energy and climate action plans: Synergies with regional sustainable development strategies for a local 2030 agenda" (Colocci, Gioia, Casareale, Marchetti, Marincioni, 2023).