THE GAIAN APPROACH/ES FOR CONTROLLING CHAOS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AT THE VAVUNIYA

Abstract

The natural environment by definition is inherently a complex system which is populated with interconnected non-linear processes. As such, systems thinkers argue that chaos is in-evitable in any natural system. Elements of chaos are often neglected in contemporary environmental (management) science when it comes to dealing with interfaces between natural resources and the human society in urban planning. It is an established fact that the maintenance of sustainability in these interfaces is essential to ensure effective environmental management. The aim of this concept paper is to establish that ‘chaos’ which is prevailing within the confinements of an environmental management system should be addressed or controlled to ensure sustainability in the interfaces between the natural and anthropogenic components of the said system. An argument that the Gaian approach/es could provide with a set of best management practices to control the prevalence of chaos is illustrated in the form of a case study of the Vavuniya Urban Council at the present times. Environmental management in the Vavuniya Urban Council was analyzed using a synergistic combination of social impact assessment (SIA) and environmental impact assessment (EIA) techniques using data collected from field and literature sources. The paper identifies ways by which sustainable interfaces can be developed by controlling chaotic elements as per the Gaia doctrine within the confinements of the Vavuniya Urban Council limits.

Keywords: Urban planning,  Environmental  Management, Chaos, Gaia

For full paper: fmscresearch@sjp.ac.lk