These pages give an overview of the project. The project summary is also available for download in booklet form. 

Introduction

We provide a short introduction to the Western Division and ask what makes the Division so special with particular reference to its environment, society and economy. We also ask what does sustainability mean for the Division.

>>> Read the introduction 

Engaging stakeholders

This section describes the techniques we used for allocating and assessing land uses.  We talk about the stakeholders who were involved in the project and how they interacted with each other. We show how participants explored the concept of multiple land use and propose that the products of this process are important inputs to regional policy design. 

>>> See what the stakeholders did

Exploring and designing institutions

The policy stream of the project started with an historical investigation of natural resource management in the Division. This was followed by an analysis of laws and policies that control the allocation of land use. We introduce you to the range of policy makers who participated in the design of proposals for institutional change. Summaries of the proposals are available with links to the full set of tables for those who are looking for specific recommendations. Along the way we introduce you to some tools for visualising the complexity of institutional relationships.

>>> Find out about exploring and designing institutions

Developing methods and theory

The final section of this summary lists the aspects of ecological and social theory that underpin the methods we have used. We also talk about our strategies for adoption of project outputs and the methods we have used for project evaluation.

>>> Get a background of our theory and methods