The use of multi-actor systems for studying social sustainability: theoretical backgrounds and pseudo-specifications

Abstract

Ecologically based simulations models have been used extensively in sustainability research from the beginning and still dominate the field. Current simulation models of sustainability are limited in addressing the central role human behavior has within this domain. We argue that simulations for sustainability should incorporate plausible cognitive and social actors to obtain insights in the problems related to sustainability. Such actors need to be equipped with functions of perception, mobility, learning, communication, and coordination to form a simulation model for social sustainability.