Education for sustainable development for the planning authority’s decision-makers : a choice or an imperative?

Abstract

This research entitled ‘Education for Sustainable Development for the Planning Authority’s Decision-Makers: A choice or an imperative?’ has the objective to assess the context of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) addressed to planning officers. The researcher is currently a planning officer within the Planning Authority (PA), and as an insider cherishes a general interest in ESD. ESD is aligned to the research objectives assessed in terms of the influences impacting decision-makers at the PA, apart from the degree of compatibility interlinking PA’s Vision, Mission and Values focusing on sustainable development. A further relevant objective is the significance granted to ESD at decision-making aligned to the research outcomes. An extensive Literature Review aligned to ESD was compiled integrating the international with the local planning context. Among the issues discussed are ESD within the context of the PA, interactive governance together with the status of planning officers within the PA. Likewise constraints within the context of decisionmaking are tackled. As part of the Methodology, a triangulation approach was favoured. The quantitative approach capitalises questionnaires addressed to planning officers. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were favoured in the qualitative approach, and served as a synergy of fresh perspectives on ESD and the PA. The research Outcomes and then respective Analysis are presented at a later stage, serving as a background to the recommendations presented in the final chapter. This is because the researcher intends that this study serves not as an end but as an instrumental means to explore ESD within the Maltese planning context, now and in the future. It is envisaged that ESD not only generates more effective planning but likewise relevant multiplier benefits and in sustaining a better quality of life.