The conceptual development of a geocybernetic relationship between sustainable development and Environmental Impact Assessment

The imprecise nature of sustainable development is often a cause for concern. This concern has however not prevented the suggestion of a relationship between sustainable development and EIAs. As a result, there is a need to develop a more formal conceptual basis for the relationship between EIA and sustainable development.The paper discusses the conceptual development of a geocybernetic perspective of the relationship between sustainable development and EIAs in respect to impact identification methodologies. The paper considers the five fundamental geocybernetic paradigms of sustainable development, uses relevant literature to support the relationships found, and provides examples to support the relationships developed within the paper.

► The use of the five fundamental geocybernetic paradigms of sustainable development to develop the conceptual relationship between sustainable development and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). ► Quantitative methods of EIA offer the best option to evaluate the relationship between the environment and humans under the Standardization paradigm. ► Qualitative approach is necessary in the evaluation of highly subjective or intrinsic impacts or issues in respect to the Pessimization paradigm. ► If EIA can be used in a more objective way, through using geocybernetics to assist in the determination of the sustainability of a project, then the fundamental goal of sustainable development will be a step closer - the co-evolution of the environment and humans.