Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Concept of Sustainable Development Revisited

  • Published:
Foundations of Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The concept of sustainable development is here revised in the light of a brief historical analysis, followed by a semantic analysis of the expressions development and sustainability. The authors criticize the common use of this concept in a loose way or in wide generalizations, to conclude, based on the principles of human ecology, that it is only possible to make it operational in limited spans of time and in limited spatial units.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Dasman, R., J. Hilton and P. Freeman: 1973, Ecological Principles forEconomic Development. London: J. Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meadows, D.H., D.L. Meadows, J. Randers and W. Behrens III (eds.): 1972, The Limits to Growth. N. York: Signet.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellen, R.: 1993, The Ecosystem Approach in Anthropology. From Concept to Practice. In: E. Moran (ed.), Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press, 192–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elton, C.: 1958, The Ecology of Invasions by Animals and Plants. London: Methuen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rapapport, R.: 1993, The Ecosystem Approach in Anthropology. From Concept to Practice. In: Moran, E. (ed.), Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press, p. 58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lees, S. and D. Bates: 1993, The Ecosystem Approach in Anthropology. From Concept to Practice. In: Moran, E. (ed.), Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press, 248–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mott, K., P. Desjeux, Moncayo, P. Ranque and P. de Raadt: 1990, Parasitic Diseases and Urban Development, Bull. WHO68(6): 691–698.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odum, E.: 1969, The Strategy of Ecosystem Development, Science164, 262–270.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pimentel, D., O. Bailey, P. Kim, E. Mullaney, J. Calabrese, L. Walman, F. Nelson and X. Yao: 1999,Will Limits of the Earth's Resources Control Human Numbers? Environm. Developm and Sustain1: 19–39.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute Oswaldo Cruz, Belgium

    Fernando Dias de Avila-Pires

  2. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

    Fernando Dias de Avila-Pires

  3. Doctorate Program, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Belgium

    Luiz Carlos Mior, Vilênia Porto Aguiar & Susana Regina de Mello Schlemper

Authors
  1. Fernando Dias de Avila-Pires
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Luiz Carlos Mior
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Vilênia Porto Aguiar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Susana Regina de Mello Schlemper
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

de Avila-Pires, F.D., Mior, L.C., Aguiar, V.P. et al. The Concept of Sustainable Development Revisited. Foundations of Science 5, 261–268 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011327612400

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011327612400

Search

Navigation