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Integrated Landscape Approaches: A Pathway Towards Just Sustainable Development?

Author

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  • Mirjam A. F. Ros-Tonen

    (Mirjam A.F. Ros-Tonen is the corresponding author (m.a.f.ros-tonen@uva.nl) and is affiliated with the Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research (AISSR) of the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.)

  • James Reed

    (James Reed affiliated with the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)–World Agroforestry (ICRAF), all in Bogor, Indonesia
    James Reed is also affiliated with the School of Global Development, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, UK.)

  • Samuel Adeyanju

    (Samuel Adeyanju affiliated with the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.)

  • Augusta M. Anandi

    (Augusta C. Anandi affiliated with the AISSR of the University of Amsterdam when they did their research for the COLANDS initiative, with secondary affiliations to CIFOR–ICRAF.)

  • Eric Rega Christophe Bayala

    (Eric R. C. Bayala affiliated with the AISSR of the University of Amsterdam when they did their research for the COLANDS initiative, with secondary affiliations to CIFOR–ICRAF.
    Bayala’s affiliation is with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Sanitation, Permanent Secretariat for REDD+. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Siangulube is with the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Lusaka, Zambia and Yanou is with Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden.)

  • Houria Djoudi

    (Houria Djoudi was affiliated with CIFOR–ICRAF at the time of writing, but has recently moved to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).)

  • Amy Ickowitz

    (Amy Ickowitz affiliated with the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)–World Agroforestry (ICRAF), all in Bogor, Indonesia)

  • Yves Laumonier

    (Yves Laumonier affiliated with the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)–World Agroforestry (ICRAF), all in Bogor, Indonesia)

  • Kaala B. Moombe

    (Kaala B. Moombe affiliated with the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)–World Agroforestry (ICRAF), all in Bogor, Indonesia
    Kaala B. Moombe who are based at CIFOR–ICRAF in Lusaka, Zambia and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso)

  • Moira Moeliono

    (Moira Moeliono affiliated with the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)–World Agroforestry (ICRAF), all in Bogor, Indonesia)

  • Alida O’Connor

    (Alida O’Connor affiliated with the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.)

  • Freddie Siangulube

    (Freddie S. Siangulube affiliated with the AISSR of the University of Amsterdam when they did their research for the COLANDS initiative, with secondary affiliations to CIFOR–ICRAF.)

  • Malaika Pauline Yanou

    (Malaika P. Yanou affiliated with the AISSR of the University of Amsterdam when they did their research for the COLANDS initiative, with secondary affiliations to CIFOR–ICRAF.)

  • Elizabeth L. Yuliani

    (Elizabeth L. Yuliani affiliated with the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)–World Agroforestry (ICRAF), all in Bogor, Indonesia)

  • Mathurin Zida

    (Mathurin Zida affiliated with the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)–World Agroforestry (ICRAF), all in Bogor, Indonesia
    Mathurin Zida, who are based at CIFOR–ICRAF in Lusaka, Zambia and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso)

  • Terry Sunderland

    (Terry Sunderland affiliated with the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
    Terry Sunderland is also associated with CIFOR–ICRAF.)

Abstract

Landscape approaches mobilize stakeholders across sectors and scales to negotiate development–conservation trade-offs and land-use allocation. Building on the concept of earth system justice, we examine how efforts to operationalize such approaches in Ghana, Zambia and Indonesia advance landscape justice. We observed contributions to procedural, recognitional and intergenerational justice, while interspecies justice remains overlooked. Yet, power asymmetries, exclusionary practices and institutional constraints hinder progress towards intragenerational and substantive—distributive, corrective, restorative and transformative justice. In contexts lacking commitment to transformative change, trade-offs are inevitable. Pursuing incremental change rather than ‘perfect’ justice may represent a second-best but more realistic pathway towards just landscape governance.

Suggested Citation

  • Mirjam A. F. Ros-Tonen & James Reed & Samuel Adeyanju & Augusta M. Anandi & Eric Rega Christophe Bayala & Houria Djoudi & Amy Ickowitz & Yves Laumonier & Kaala B. Moombe & Moira Moeliono & Alida O’C, 2025. "Integrated Landscape Approaches: A Pathway Towards Just Sustainable Development?," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 25(3-4), pages 231-254, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:25:y:2025:i:3-4:p:231-254
    DOI: 10.1177/14649934251413867
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pauliina Upla & James Reed & Kaala B. Moombe & Benjamin J. Kazule & Brian P. Mulenga & Mirjam Ros-Tonen & Terry Sunderland, 2022. "Assessing the Potential for Private Sector Engagement in Integrated Landscape Approaches: Insights from Value-Chain Analyses in Southern Zambia," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-28, September.
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