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Map of actors of the socio-ecological systems
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​A system is understood as the set of interactions between components of different natures that produce one or more functions. In the case of a socio-ecological system, this refers to the integration of humans and their environment. This system is complex and adaptive, involving various components (ecological, economic, technological, cultural, political, or social) that interact with each other, affecting the system's basic functions: greater or lesser ecological balance, social cohesion, economic growth, social inequality, environmental equity, political participation, among others.
The management of socio-ecological systems requires an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach that focuses less on the individual components of the system and more on their relationships, interactions, and feedback loops. A socio-ecological conflict, in this context, can be explained by the fact that certain decisions or interventions within the system affect the interactions between its components, thereby altering the system's basic functions.
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The analysis of socio-ecological systems and their governance involves examining environmental conflicts and their possible alternatives, which always have a clear territorial and identity-based reference, where the location of the involved agents is key.
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In 2016, the CST, with the support of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, carried out a mapping of the main socio-ecological conflicts affecting this area and identified the actors involved.
The specific objectives are:
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Create a map of the various socio-ecological conflicts in the Barcelona Metropolitan Region (BMR) to locate, characterize, and contextualize the territorial dynamics, the involved actors, and their strategies. Due to the nature of socio-ecological conflicts, the term 'Region' is used because some of these conflicts extend beyond the geographical boundaries of the AMB (Metropolitan Area of Barcelona).
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Identify the actors (experts, platforms, or organizations) related to the socio-ecological conflicts.
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Once the analysis is complete, provide elements of reflection aimed at improving future metropolitan planning.
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Based on all the collected and developed material, lay the groundwork for the AMB Participation Tables.
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In total, 52 socio-ecological conflicts have been identified, along with their actors (specific platforms or organizations involved). Of these, 20 have been documented through interviews conducted with a spokesperson from each corresponding entity.
​The conflicts are grouped under three common factors:
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Anthropic Urbanization: Tourism, Infrastructure, Air Pollution, Urban Developments.
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Urban-Rural Interface: Protected Natural Areas, Agriculture.
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Metabolism: Water, Materials, Waste, Energy.
Additionally, they are subdivided into 10 types, which are:
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Tourism
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Infrastructure and Mobility
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Urban Planning and Developments
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Protected Natural Areas
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Water
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Waste
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Quarries
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Energy
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Agricultural Areas
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Air Pollution
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Based on the identification of all socio-ecological conflicts, it is established that these issues are only the tip of the iceberg of other factors such as the implementation of unsustainable policies or the lack of territorial and urban planning. The CST emphasizes the importance of including citizen participation in these processes to address territorial planning from the perspective of the common good.
Mapa dels conflictes socioecològics a l'AMB
Consequently, the following points of reflection are identified to improve metropolitan planning:
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An outdated urban planning framework from 1976 that needs to be rethought.
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Incorporating external actors into decision-making and participation councils, as they may also be affected. In this regard, considering Vallès as a neighboring territory.
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Water as the main challenge for the future, which needs to be integrated into planning.
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The issue of over-frequentation in natural environments.
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Reviving agriculture to promote an agricultural mosaic, both in urban areas and in agroforestry spaces.
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Discussion of the environmental services provided by municipalities with forests and agroforestry spaces within the AMB.
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Promoting citizen participation in land management.
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This last point reinforces the idea that through interaction between experts, specialists, land managers, and socio-environmental movements, valuable contributions can be made to territorial planning. This highlights the need to establish various participation tables to address the socio-environmental conflicts in the AMB.
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Thus, thanks to the creation of this mapping of actors and conflicts, the preparation and future implementation of the AMB Participation and Mediation Tables becomes possible. These tables will also be designed and led by a CST team and will be carried out over different cycles (2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2021, and 2023) and in relation to key highlighted topics (river areas, agriculture, energy transition, among others).
Material:
Temporal scope:
2016
CST team:
Llorenç Planagumà, Raül Valls, Àlex Casademunt
Support:
