Dimensions of sustainability applied to a local territory , its

interrelationships and contributions to human well-being

Alfredo Mario Baronio
(School of Economic Sciences, National University of Rio Cuarto, Argentina)
R esearch areas / interests: economic sustainability. E-mail: alfredomariobaronio@yahoo.com.ar.

Abstract: In this work, the calculation of the sustainability matrix is carried out to approach the
study of contributions to human well-being considering a city as a productive system.  With the
indicators that emerge from the report of a survey of its inhabitants, the sustainability matrix is
defined and the contributions generated by the relationships of the ecological, economic, social and
institutional dimensions are determined. This paper aims to establish operational frameworks that
allow quantifying the sustainability of local territories, articulating the dimensions in an integrated
way, understanding the perception and experiences of the inhabitants of a city in order to generate
concrete recommendations for their green management.

Key words: sustainability; human well-being; local territory

1. Introduction
Economic growth fully affects the demand on ecosystem services. Impoverished environments
affect the development and quality of life of communities, conditioning access to employment and
education opportunities that deepen situations of marginality, social disintegration, population
migration, among others.
In order to contribute to sustainable development from a local government, it is necessary to
evaluate the ecological, economic, social and institutional potentialities and conditions of the homes
and people who inhabit it.
The provision of indicators that allow the evaluation of the current states and future changes of
the different dimensions and their interactions in the productive systems, considering a city as such, is
a necessity for the analysis. Currently, there is no interrelated set of indicators for each dimension that
allows evaluating local sustainability in an integrated way and guiding the decision-making and
actions of administrators; however, in Seiler, R.-Vianco, A. (2014) there is a theoretical antecedent of
the development of a sustainability matrix to contribute to human well-being applied to productive
systems.

2. Literature Review
Towards the 1960s the destruction of nature associated with the concept of economic progress
begins to be perceived (Leff, 2008). These effects sparked global debate in the second half of the
20th century. In this context, the United Nations World Conference on the Human Environment
(Stockholm, Sweden, 1972) and the United Nations World Conference on Human Settlements
(Vancouver, Canada, 1976) established the bases that the United Nations World Commission for
Environment and Development reflected in the Brundtland Report (1987). In this report, global
environmental challenges are synthesized and the concept of sustainable development is defined as
one that satisfy the essential needs of the present generation without compromising the ability to
satisfy the essential needs of future generations. In such a concept the notions of human well-being,
ecological well-being and their interactions are incorporated.
Today, the world has replaced the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs); to achieve them everyone must do their part: governments, the private
sector and civil society (Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations, 2015). In this sense, the
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI, 2016), contributes to companies, governments, civil society and
citizens to make better decisions based on adequate disclosure and information on sustainability
 performance. In this work it is considered that the "Green Managerial" plays a leading role in helping
society to build a sustainable future.
Some authors consider Rachel Carson's (1962) Silent Spring as a turning point in understanding
the relationships between the environment, the economy, and social welfare. Gilman CK Tam (2017)
on his book Managerial Strategies and Green Solutions for Project Sustainability, proposes green
solutions for project management within organizations.

3. Methodology
In literature, there is information on different sustainability indicators and on the corresponding
selection criteria, which are used for evaluation at different scales. Most of the proposed indicators
have been developed and validated in an aggregated and one-dimensional way. Seiler and Vianco
(2014) provide the methodological framework for this proposal , which aims to assess the
sustainability of a city . This methodology allows to obtain a general diagnosis through the
measurement and / or observation of a reduced number of parameters.
This research is descriptive and a quantitative method is applied (Baronio, 2018) to assess
the state of sustainability of the homes individually and aggregated to the city. The study is carried
out on the basis of the statistical description of the Survey of Economic and Social Reality Perceptions
(EPRES) developed in the city of Río Cuarto, Argentina, during the year 2017. The EPRES had its
first edition in 2014. This time, an adapted and revised questionnaire of that version is used.  The
survey report presents statistical charts, graphs, clarifications, and keys on how to understand the data
resulting from the study. All this information was adapted for the sustainability analysis presented in
this work. The original report is divided into the same sections that the questionnaire is organized in,
including the analysis of the variables generated from one or several questions and ordered according
to the dimensions of sustainability.
The sustainability matrix, which is presented at the end of this work (Table 1), articulates the
four dimensions to contribute to Human Well-being. The interrelationships between
dimensions inform the demands of each dimension to the others to contribute to human well-
being; They are calculated from the valuation of the components of the analyzed production
system. These components are aggregated (simple average) and generate the value of the indicator of
the relationship, between the dimensions. The criterion is mentioned below and the components are
evaluated in each relationship.
Ecological-Ecological Ratio (Average value 77, 87% or 0,779 )1.  The guiding criterion in the
Ecological dimension is Preservation. Conserving natural resources means preserving ecosystem
services for human use and to ensure the proper functioning of ecosystems.
Component  s Affirmative answers
I live far from a landfill (10 blocks or more) 58.97
I have sewers 92.25
I am not affected by inclement weather 82.41
Economic - Ecological Relationship (0.869). The Economic dimension contributes to the
E logical dimension Pro-environment practices, through a healthy and productive Environment under
the criterion of Preservation.
Components Affirmative answers
I am your responsible for energy 86.92
Social - Ecological Relationship (0.096). Social dimension contributes with the Ecological
dimension, through the necessary Perception and Awareness of Environmental Problems and the
Responsible Use of Environmental Resources, to generate Human Well-being through a Healthy and
Productive Environment, under the criterion of Preservation.
Components Affirmative answers
In the last 12 months, have I separated any type of waste
9.62
and taken it to a Green point/ Waste reclaimer

1
Table 1 takes the value 0.779, in the same way for each relationship Table 1 takes the value 0.779, in the same
way for each relationship
 Institutional - Ecological Relationship (0.384). Institutional dimension contributes to the
Ecological dimension from the establishment and continuous review and control of a Legislation
according to the necessary environmental impact assessments that can be carried out. Likewise, it
must promote the production of Human Well-being through a Healthy and Productive Environment,
under the criterion of Preservation.
Components Affirmative answers
When it comes to protecting the environment, does the
23.58
performance of the Municipal Government qualify?
Grove in the streets is considered enough 53.23
Ecological - Economic Relationship (0.932). Ecological dimension gives the Economic
dimension a certain availability of resources to develop the productive processes that allow it to
contribute to Human Well-being through the generation of Economic Progress, under the criterion of
Efficiency. Resources not only define the particular characteristics of an ecosystem, but also the
possibilities of development of production processes and their limits.
Components Affirmative answers
I have a Running Water connection 99.95
I am a responsible user of fresh water 86.46

Economic - Economic Relationship (0.550). Under the criterion of efficiency, economic

dimension contributes to human welfare generating progress, which for households depend primarily
on their income level and facilitators available for this, by local governments as sustainable
production systems.
Components Affirmative answers
I consider that my family group income enough 55.04
Social - Economic Relationship (0.657). Among the contributions of the social dimension to the
Economic dimension to generate Economic Progress under the criterion of Efficiency and thus
contributing to Human Well-being, is Contextual Education, which contemplates technological
development and critical reflection. The Labor Force with different qualifications and contributions of
locally produced goods or services compared to similar ones from another origin, are also
contributions from the social dimension to the Economic one.
Components Affirmative answers
I have completed Secondary Education or higher level 66.26
I consider myself a CAPABLE worker 65.16
Institutional - Economic Relationship (0.467). Institutional dimension provides the Economic
dimension with Legislation, Organization and Services to contribute to Human Well-being through
the generation of Economic Progress, under the criterion of Efficiency.
Components Affirmative answers
I am satisfied with sweeping and cleaning service 36.81
I am satisfied with trash service 67.46
I am satisfied with stable lighting service 49.84
I am satisfied with street maintenance service 32.88

Ecological - Social Relationship (0.932). Implicit in this relationship are the contributions that

the Ecological dimension makes to the dimension social to contribute to Human Well-being through
the generation of Prosperity and Equitable Social Opportunities, under the criterion of Equity.  The
natural environment not only defines the particular characteristics of society development but also
constitutes a source of physical risks for those populations that are exposed to, for example, adverse
climatic events such as droughts and floods, earthquakes, pandemics and other types of disasters that
affect not only the possibilities of economic development but also endanger people’s health or life.
 Components Affirmative answers
I have not suffered roof blasts 98.52
I have not suffered breakage of doors, windows, tanks, or
87.78
others

Economic Relationship - Partner l (0.691). Economic dimension contributes to the Social dimension -

through the generation of Prosperity and Equitable Social Opportunities - Livelihoods, Corporate
Social Responsibility and Social Mobility to contribute to Human Well-being, under the criterion of
Equity. The Livelihoods component contemplates the population's access to formal employment, to
sustain their income and ensure their rooting.

Components Affirmative answers

Active people employment 88.03
People with Contributions 68.63
People with health assurance 50.55

Social - Social Relationship (0.461). This relationship is analyzed through the components that
approximate the concepts of Cultural Capital, Human Capital and Social Capital, under the criterion of
Equity to contribute to Human Well-being through Prosperity and Equitable Social Opportunities.

Components Affirmative answers

I have no chronic disease 76.5
Secondary or higher education of the Head of the family 56.04
I actively participate in NGOs 5.75

Institutional - Social Relationship (0.591). Institutional dimension contributes to the social dimension
the following components of Quality and Access to essential public services to contribute to Human
Well-being, generating Prosperity and Equitable Social Opportunities, under the criterion of Equity.
The Access component is related to schools, hospitals and all other types of services that society
requires in general.
Components Affirmative answers
Positive evaluation of public primary educational quality 54.12
Positive evaluation of public secondary educational quality 46.94
Positive evaluation of public university educational quality 90.8 0
Positive evaluation of Provincial Public Health Services 48.84
How do you rate the municipal public health service? 55.01

Ecological - Institutional Relationship (0,856). Ecological dimension provides the Institutional

dimension with information regarding the state and dynamics of the environment to assess the current
state and possible future scenarios, in relation to the goods and services provided by ecosystems, to
produce Human Well-being through the generation of Participatory Governance under the criterion of
Management Capacity.
Component Affirmative answers
No flood damage 87.53
No street cuts 83.64
Economic - Institutional Relationship (0.711). Economic dimension contributes to the
Institutional dimension through Corporate Responsibility to generate safe work and training,
Regulations Compliance and Participation to contribute to Human Well-being and Governance
following the guiding criterion of Management Ability.
Component Affirmative answers
My work is not dangerous for my health 78 , 38
I can learn an I am trained at work 63.75
 Social - Institutional Relationship (0.138). Social dimension contributes to the Institutional
dimension with its participation in Social Organization, to generate Participatory Governance that
contributes to Human Well-being under the criterion of Management Capacity.
Components Affirmative answers
Question: When it comes to fighting poverty, is the action
13.76
of the municipal government adequate?
Institutional - Institutional Relationship (0.484). This relationship brings together all the
Legislation and the capacity of Application and Control to generate Participatory Governance
applying the criterion of Adaptability and thus contributing to Human Well-being.
Component Affirmative answers
When it comes to protecting institutions, is the performance of the Municipal
51.54
Government adequate?
Do you consider the management / action of the Municipal Government appropriate? 45.29

4. Sustainability Index
According to previous information and the calculation method proposed by Baronio, (2018) , we
conclude that the Sustainability Rate for Rio Cuarto city reaches a level just above 0.61, which is
indicating general positive aspects of sustainability of homes in the city considered as a Productive
System. The value of each relationship arises from the simple average of the components that define
it.
Productive System Sustainability Index (Indicador de sustentabilidad del Sistema Productivo -
ISSP in Spanish) assumes values between 0 and 1; therefore, the closer to 1 it is, the better is the
sustainability situation of the Productive System studied, both regarding the demand for ecosystem
services and the contribution to the system's human well-being. In the same way, it is interpreted for
each intersection and component of the analyzed matrix. Following a scale for evaluating the
indicators, the contribution of the systems to human well-being is considered to be very good when
the ISSP is greater than 0.85; between 0.65 and 0.85 it is considered a fair value; from 0.50 to less
than 0.65 it is an average value; between 0.35 and less than 0.50 it is a regular value and less than 0.35
it is considered a bad rate value.

HUMAN WELL-BEING
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMIC SOCIAL INSTITUTION AGREGATED SUPPLY
RELATIONSHIP (Conservation) (Efficiency) (Equity) AL
S (Management
Capacity)
0.7 0. 0.932 0.856 0.87 ECOSYSTEM
NS DIMMENSIODIFFERENTTO THEREQUESTS

ECOLOGICAL
79 9 SERVICES
3 5
2
ECONOMIC 0.8 0. 0.691 0.711 0.70 ECONOMIC
69 5 RESOURCES
5 5
0
SOCIAL 0.0 0. 0.461 0.138 0.33 SOCIAL
96 6 PARTICIPATION
5 8
7
INSTITUTION 0.3 0. 0.591 0.484 0.48 ADAPTATIVE
AL 84 4 MANAGEMENT
6 2
7
0.532 0.652 0.669 0.547 0.6
CONTRIBUTION
TO HUMAN WELL- 00
ECONOMIC PROSPERIT PARTICIPATO ISSP
BEING HEALTHY AND Y AND
PROGRESS RY
PRODUCTIVE EQUITABLE GOVERNANCE
ENVIRONMEN SOCIAL
T OPPORTUNI
TIES
 Ecológico Económico Social Institucional DEMANDAS
(Preservación) (Eficiencia) (Equidad) (Capacidad de manejo) AGREGADAS

Servicios
Ecológico 0,779 0,932 0,932 0,856 0,875 Ecosistémicos

Recursos
Económico 0,869 0,550 0,691 0,711 0,705 Económicos

Social 0,096 0,657 0,461 0,138 0,338 Participación Social

Institucional 0,384 0,467 0,591 0,484 0,482 Manejo Adaptativo

0,532 0,652 0,669 0,547 0,600

CONRIBUCIONES
AL BIENESTAR Prosperidad y
Ambiente
HUMANO Progreso Oportunidades Gobernanza
Saludable ISSP
Económico Sociales Participativa
y Productivo
Equitativas

Table 1. Río Cuarto Sustainability Matrix

Making a disaggregated interpretation the Table 1, it can be seen that the use of Ecosystem
Services is very good and that the use of Economic Resources reaches a reasonable value. The values
of Social Participation and Adaptive Management are observed as regular. However, the system's
contribution to human well-being is distributed more regularly. Thus, it can be said that the city of Río
Cuarto, considered as a productive system, contributes to Human Well-Being with Healthy and
Productive Environments (0.532); Economic Progress (0.652); Prosperity and Equitable Social
Opportunities (0.726) and Participatory Governance (0.547). The demand and contribution values
arise from the simple average of each relationship. The value of the Productive System Sustainability
Index (ISSP = 0.614) is the simple average of the demands and / or contributions.

5. Conclusion

According to this work, the sustainability matrix is a tool that arises fundamentally to act as soon
as possible on the negative effects of the lack of attention to local spatial situations. Criteria are
established for the ecological, social, economic and institutional dimensions in order to contribute to
human well-being. In this way, a way of crossing these dimensions is presented in order to establish a
sustainability indicator for a city, studying at each intersection the components that each dimension
demands from another, under certain criteria, to achieve the improvement of the system in terms of
sustainability.

References
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