Reports

Futures Thinking to Achieve Sustainable Development at Local Level in Ireland

Lorcan Sirr et al. — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 04:09:12 PST

We are living in times of unprecedented global change and upheaval and over the next ten to 20 years governments, organisations and individuals will face increasing difficulties in an environment of growing complexity, heightened uncertainty and a quickening pace of change. The concept of sustainable development implies the reconciliation of long-term socio-economic development, environmental protection and quality of life; essentially it is concerned with the future. Unfortunately, the potential for linking “futures thinking” to debates about sustainable development at local and regional government levels is relatively undeveloped, particularly in Ireland. Responding to this challenge, The Futures Academy at Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland, was established in January 2003 to provide both a research and consultancy forum for future-proofing policies and strategies using the “prospective through scenarios” methodology. This paper describes the evolution of sustainable development in Ireland and the generic field of futures thinking, with particular focus on the prospective process which may assist key local policy makers and stakeholders move towards sustainable development for future generations in Ireland.

Futures Thinking for the Built and Human Enviromment

Lorcan Sirr et al. — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 09:18:02 PST

We are currently living through an era where we can, and need to, create exciting new possibilities in the way we think about, plan, design and build new places and spaces for working and living. At the same time, two irresistible forces – change and complexity – face decision-makers charged with framing and executing future policy and practice for the built and human environment. This paper generally argues the case for employing a ‘prospective’ process through scenario thinking for strategic planning and management in the urban arena. It does not attempt to identify or explore the advances made in planning for built and human environment over recent years or the promise of those to come. Rather, it describes and promotes a methodology which helps organisations, such as those involved in the formation of the urban environment, to learn their way into the future in a complex and changing world of uncertainty and ambiguity.

Dublin at the crossroads: exploring the future of the Dublin City region

Elzbieta Krawczyk et al. — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:16:01 PDT

University futures: the direction, shape, and provision of higher education in the university of the future

Arlene Finn et al. — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:01:11 PST

Twice the size?:imagineering the future of Irish gateways

Futures Academy, Dublin Institute of Technology et al. — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:58:51 PST

University futures: the direction, shape and provision of higher education in the university of the future

Arlene Finn et al. — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:11:23 PST

Imagine Lincoln 2020

The Futures Academy — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:07:17 PST

European real estate scenarios: Nirvana or nemesis?

The Futures Academy — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:06:11 PST

The Global City 2030

John Ratcliffe et al. — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:04:05 PST

Global real estate scenarios

The Futures Academy — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:00:59 PST

Public private partnerships and sustainability principles guiding legislation and current practice

Brenda Ryan — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:58:56 PST

Dublin 2020 vision

Dublin Chamber of Commerce et al. — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:56:53 PST

Dublin city foresight

Sinead Branagh et al. — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:53:49 PST

The architectural heritage industry: fostering awareness through scenario learning

John Ratcliffe et al. — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:51:33 PST