System Dynamics for Urban Development: Pathways and Model for a Sustainable Future

Since urban sustainable development involves dynamic and complex systems, tools, and models to aid urban sustainable development must also reflect dynamism and complexity to foster resilience. System dynamics allows for an iterative and robust approach when studying complex problems. This approach applies both quantitative and qualitative data to help unveil the interconnected components and dependencies within a specific city or community. This study approaches urban sustainable development in terms of its environmental, social, and economic dimensions to holistically look at the different components of the system at various levels. Using Tempe, Arizona as a case study, this research and tool provides a conceptual framework in making strides towards dynamic and interconnected thinking that can be taken further to extend into different communities and levels.