Systems Thinking in the Age of Environmental Complexity: A Practical Urban Problem-Solving Framework

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Iman Ghalandarian

Zahra Sadat Faghih

Department of Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22067/jstinp.2025.92673.1146

Abstract

Urban environments are becoming increasingly complex, so urban planning requires new and innovative approaches to address these challenges. This study explores a detailed framework to address these challenges by combining different problem-solving techniques across three key stages: identifying the problem (What), analysing the problem (Why), and developing solutions (How). The research employs various tools, including SWOT analysis, Fishbone diagrams, World Café, and Causal Loop diagrams. Also, it evaluates the effectiveness of their usage by combining various methods, including questionnaires with urban planning students and real-world case studies. The findings underscore the importance of integrating qualitative and quantitative techniques to promote collaboration and informed decision-making. For example, tools like Discovery & action dialogue (DAD) help create inclusive engagement, while data-driven approaches like GIS mapping provide actionable insights. The study also highlights patterns in how these techniques perform at different stages. The proposed framework addresses a wide range of challenges, from simple to complex, such as ill-defined, ethical, and wicked problems. It highlights the importance of adaptability and learning through iterative processes. This research offers a comprehensive, structured, and integrative framework for urban settings. This framework is designed to help urban practitioners, policymakers, and educators navigate the complexities of urban systems while improving decision-making, and it can be adapted to different contexts.

Keywords

Urban problem-solving

Problem-solving techniques

System thinking

Case analysis

Integrated methodology

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