Environment and Development

This book provides a comprehensive overview of emerging challenges facingdifferent social groups, policy-makers and the international community relatedto economic growth, social development and environmental change, socialinclusion and regional development. The book undertakes a critical assessmentof the tensions associated with the failures of mainstream regulatory approachesand impacts of social and economic policies whilst widening the discussion onthe interface between the expansion of the socio-environmental demands, equityand justice. These are crucial challenges, of great importance today and of equalrelevance to the Global North and South. The book explores one of the main contradictions of development, thesimplification of assessments and narrow consideration of alternatives. Takingthis dilemma as its departure point, it goes on to examine the justification, trendsand limitations of Western-based development and possible alternatives tofundamentally modify the basis and the rationale of the development process. Itconsiders theoretical and lived experiences of development, paying attention tomultiple scales, local realities and economic frontiers. Contributing authorsexplore policy recommendations and discuss effective practical tools fordetermining the values different people hold for ecosystem services and territorialresources. They cover the monitoring of change in the provision of ecosystemservices that might increase the well-being of vulnerable groups as well asstrategies to promote innovation and integrated, equitable and sustainabledevelopment.