Urban deltas as complex adaptive systems: implications for planning and design

This article argues that it is relevant to apply the complex adaptive system approachto urbanized deltas. On the basis of this, it discusses some important planning issuesrelated to these areas: adapting them to changing circumstances, synchronizingthe various sectors in the areas, and organizing collective action to realize this. Thepaper also suggests how planners can better deal with these issues: by systematicallyexploring uncertainties related to future trends and disruptive events, by thinkingthrough the impacts of each sector on other sectors and the area as a whole, andby making joint visions and identifying strategic projects not only among publicactors but also with private and civic actors. The approach presented, integratingsocial, ecological and physical aspects of systems, is relevant for planners as well asscientists