Evaluation of sustainable development alternatives: relevant concepts, resource assessment approaches and comparative spatial indicators

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Abstract
Environmental, social and cultural factors are increasingly recognized as affecting the long‐term viability of development initiatives. The application of selected ecological concepts and a “systems approach” to resource assessment is suggested to improve understanding of environmental constraints and impacts, while providing a more realistic framework for comprehensive land evaluation. This approach includes the analysis of socio‐economic, technological, and cultural indicators in a spatial and temporal framework supported by geographic information systems and relevant performance or risk/impact assessment models. To provide a spatial comparative perspective, the use of a single, composite indicator is suggested, reflecting economic development opportunities, realistic constraints and impacts. The derived comparative index may be used to provide a long‐term, spatial and comparative perspective of economic development opportunities by improving project appraisals and the selection of viable and sustainable development strategies.