A Short Bio

Andrew Flynn is Reader in Environmental Policy and Planning. He has a background in policy analysis and environmental geography. His principal research interests have been in the making and delivery of policy on sustainable development, the implementation of policy and its evaluation. In exploring the dynamics of policy and regulation he paid particular attention to the food system. His work on food supply chains and technological innovations in the food system have provided insights into the relationships between the state and key economic interests and how these have led to new patterns of regulation. This in turn, has helped to inform work on environmental regulation, particularly in relation to the role of supply chains.

He is currently engaged in research on eco-cities; food regulation and sustainability; sustainable innovation in food consumption and production systems; and analyses of ecological footprinting.

Andrew is Director of the Learning and Teaching and Director of the Masters Graduate School in the School of City and Regional Planning; he is also a Co-Editor of the Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning.

Seminar Selected

Eco-City Theory and Examples Worldwide

Title of presentation

The Ecological Footprint and environmental planning

Abstract of presentation

To be a distinctive feature of spatial planning, environmental planning must have at its core the recognition of the notion of environmental limits. Environmental limits can be recognised in two ways: the development of land use plans and the monitoring of their implementation (i.e. as an environmental indicator). One of the most popular environmental indicators – the Ecological Footprint – is predicated on the belief that limits should be accepted in the use of the earth’s resources. Innovative thinking is now taking place on the extent to which the Ecological Footprint can be used to not only monitor plan performance but also guide its development. An illustration of the challenges and potential for change is provided by the Welsh Assembly Government which has a legislative duty to promote sustainable development. The Welsh Assembly Government has adopted the Ecological Footprint as one of its headline indicators for sustainability and promoted its use in the development and monitoring of land use planning by local governments in Wales. The paper assesses the extent to which are witnessing the use of the Ecological Footprint to promote an invigorated form of environmental planning that has at its heart the recognition of environmental limits.