Urban metabolism of human settlements in small island-protected environments

Abstract

Few studies have succeeded in illustrating the relationships between resources, socio-territorial dynamics, and the environs in protected island environments of Outstanding Value, a quality that positions them as experimental laboratories for the study of human evolution and the planet's ecosystems. The literature reviewed refers to different scientific productions where the analysis of the flow of matter and energy is applied to study urban metabolism. As a methodology, three important phases were established. First, four authors with different approaches to urban metabolism were identified. Second, the study was delimited with a list of seven protected island territories, which meet the following requirements: small scale, possessing human settlements, and having a Cultural/Natural Heritage nomination by UNESCO. Third, the socio-territorial dynamics of the settlement were analyzed with the instrument of five variables: biophysical, demo-geographical, socioeconomic, sociocultural, and regulatory/legislative. A qualitative description of Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos) is made in light of the studies conducted by the authors cited above. The results obtained in this review are the identification of management indicators and positive aspects generated from the transfer of knowledge, based on a qualitative analysis of the measurable relationships that exist between variables-human settlement-territory.

Keywords

• Urban metabolism
• Human settlements
• Protected island environments
• Culture
• Socio-territorial dynamics