Human Dimensions

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This research area addresses the inter-relationship between social change, renewable resource use and new technologies. It focuses on social, cultural, economic, legal and educational factors that drive and/or resist sustainable change.

The Institute recognises that, within the context of change and sustainable development, the economic, social, legal and environmental implications and risks must be clearly identified, assessed and effectively managed as part of evolutionary change.

These issues are brought particularly to the fore in a much more urbanised and inter-connected world. Whilst change can bring forward essential benefits, it will make other sectors vulnerable and the interests of all have to be reasonably accommodated to produce an ethical and politically acceptable future that recognizes and enhances the important concepts of lifestyle, overall wellbeing, wealth creation and reasonably equitable distribution.

These concepts are not only essential components to the social and community fabrics of regions and nations but also relate to institutional and business change.

Research foci include:

• Society and Climate Change
• Triple Bottom Line Reporting
• Community Impacts and Responses
• Socio-Economic Policy

Activities involved in this area include:

• Attitudes to climate change interventions
• Sustainable regional development
• High density living and social interactions
• The development of industry based social impact assessment tools
• Managing environmental, economic and social change associated with bio-fuels and development and market shifts
• Agric-technical transformations
• Legal and cultural aspects of water use and pricing
• Social dimensions of housing and building