Integrating Ecosystem Services into Urban Planning: A Conceptual Review through a Social–Ecological–Technological Systems (SETS) Perspective

Abstract

The primary goal of urban planning is to create sustainable urban development.  However, urban growth is frequently accompanied by persistent socioeconomic and environmental problems, particularly in developing countries such as Sri Lanka. Environmental pollution, traffic congestion, poverty, housing shortages, unequal access to services, and flooding are common issues associated with rapid urbanization. This paper aims to understand how ecosystems and ecosystem services have been considered in planning practice over time. This paper which is based off on a review of the recent literature, aims to explore the concept of Social–Ecological–Technological Systems (SETS) and the importance of incorporating urban ecosystem services into urban planning. According to the literature analysis, there has been a paradigm shift in urban planning with regard to the consideration of ecosystem services. The socio-ecological-technological systems perspective emphasizes that urban issues cannot be understood in isolation. Society, technology, and environmental systems are deeply interconnected and should therefore be conceptualized as an integrated system rather than as independent systems. Therefore, the SETS framework provides a holistic foundation for managing complex urban issues.  It highlights how actively maintaining ecosystem functionality can support urban sustainability much more than simply conserving ecosystems. Compared to traditional planning practices that overlook ecological dynamics, or Social-Ecological Systems, which tend to neglect technological dimensions, the SETS framework is more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive in its approach to urban development because it builds on embedding ecosystem services as the core of urban planning practices. This research concludes that in order to achieve sustainable and resilient outcomes in urban development, there must be a strong emphasis on stakeholder integration as well as a shift from grey infrastructure to green infrastructure approaches.