Ports as Sustainable Complex Systems

Abstract

Ports and harbours are very large infrastructure projects which have great impact on the community, environment and the economy of a country. Ports are not only a vital lifeline link between water-side and land-side traffic, but are also sources of national wealth, pride and concern. Stakeholders now want requirements to be described in a creative, rigorous, and policy-relevant manner and for critical issues such as sustainable development to be incorporated into developments. This paper looks at the issue of sustainable development for ports and harbours as being one of managing complexity and considers how wider requirements may be accommodated.
Most of the problems related to sustainability and sustainable development are typically complex and inter-related. It has been shown that the more complex a system the harder it is to manage, but by having insights into the causes of complexity in systems enables decisions to be made actions to be taken where otherwise there may be lost opportunities and ultimately reduced profits. Ports have to achieve a harmonious balance between the local community, the environment and economic issues. By applying systems engineering techniques and ideas surrounding complexity management this paper looks at the designing and subsequent management of ports & harbours and in so doing to develop clearer strategies. Research work into airport processes is used to gain insights into potential approaches for the management of ports and harbours.