Description:

This publication contains the proceedings of a one-day seminar held at the University of Canterbury in February 1992.

The seminar was intended to develop the concept of sustainable management in the context of the Resource Management Act of 1991 from the point of view of those who will have to implement it in practical engineering and planning situations. The Act promotes the "sustainable management of natural and physical resources" and replaces a variety of previous acts and regulations. It provides a clear and specific framework for the use, development and protection of natural and physical resources.

The report of the proceedings includes both the papers presented by the speakers and the discussions that followed the presentations. The first two papers outline the theoretical framework and legislative background to the concept of sustainable management. Two further papers present the perspective of regional and district councils and the balance of the papers give practical examples of sustainable management in relation to the built environment, catchments, groundwater, wastes and energy.