‘This is a wonderful book that should be on the desk of every architect and planner. It shows how

Can’t current planning systems simply be modified to address sustainability?
Not likely. The nature of the planning system would have to be radically different from what planning 
is now. It is essential, of course, that ecological modernization occur in each decision arena – as 
well as in the professions and academic disciplines – so that they can all address sustainability issues 
[Figure 16]. The judicial sphere is not included in this typology because it largely deals with conflicts 
after the fact, not future decisions. Although legal decisions create precedents for the resolution of 
future conflicts, these can, in effect, be overturned by the legislature (and vice versa). To summarize 
this typology, there are three dimensions of conflict prevention: the conflicts between individuals, 
between individuals and society, and between individuals, society and nature [Table 2]. These conflict 
areas tend to involve different interests, respectively wants, rights and needs. These interests in turn 
correspond to different criteria or standards of decision-making, respectively equity, efficiency and 
ethics. These criteria suggest different processes (eg trading, negotiating, and debate and dialogue).
These in turn suggest different kinds of decision arenas, respectively markets, electoral politics – and 
a missing arena. The proposed constitutional model therefore adds to the state and market spheres 
a new sphere for resource allocation and conflict resolution: a sustainability/planning sphere. This 
would also provide a forum for active community engagement, mutual learning, and identifying and 
implementing Positive Development projects. The new tripartite framework is based on each sphere’s 
function in meeting different interests and resolving conflicts, specifically: 
•
Rights/responsibility – the state
• 
Wants and preferences – the market
• 
Basic social, emotional, spiritual and bio-physical needs, or sustainability –
a new planning sphere
To improve systems health and 
create positive relationships, we 
should try to create more equitable 
relationships between individuals, 
society and nature. There are 
currently three types of conflict 
resolution areas which resolve 
conflicts among differing interests.
This new model would add an 
ethics-based planning sphere. In the 
proposed model of eco-governance, 
the highest court would be the 
arbiter of jurisdictional disputes, as 
it is now.
The legal system resolves 
jurisdictional issues
Market 
arena: price 
efficiency
Sustainability:
ethics-based 
planning
arena
Political 
arena: policy 
and law 
making
Figure 16 Tripartite model of eco-governance

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Positive Development
Table 2 Tripartite model of eco-governance