Systems of Systems Approach to Sustainability
By Lena Park
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Systems are widely known as a collection of interacting and independent components that work together to achieve a specific purpose. On the other hand, a system of systems (SoS) is a much larger and more complex system that requires numerous independent, operable systems to work together towards a higher-level goal. Examples of systems include traditional software applications and biological organisms, such as the human heart. SoS stems from these small systems by eventually reaching broader and global objectives.
Our society is increasingly reliant on systems, and this collection of systems as well. They are incorporated into our everyday lives, such as our national security–army brigades, airport security, and nuclear weapons. These systems are subjected to fluctuating budgets, varying threats, and changing natural environments. In this time of change, it is essential to construct an adaptable SoS, which we currently lack, according to a study done by the Sandia National Laboratories. Although SoS are needed in a variety of fields, our unstable environment needs recognition, and SoS should be tailored to prevent fluctuations in temperature, sea levels, etc. These goals can be achieved through new systems such as “smart cities”, green roofs, and renewable energy integration.
Smart cities are known for incorporating technology and data to improve services like transportation, energy efficiency, and public safety through a more sustainable approach. A leading example is Singapore, where they use sensors and data to monitor citizen behavior to manage resources, and are developing vehicle-free eco-forests. This eco-smart forest city is only walkable or cyclable with over 42,000 homes planned, according to BigRentz. Another example is Copenhagen, whose goal is to become a carbon-neutral city by 2025. Authorities collect data about their citizens and use this digitized information to offer free access to public data as well as form smart solutions.
Some difficulties that pose a challenge are technical, institutional, and economic. Technical difficulties would include legacy systems, where many of the existing infrastructures requiring change were built decades ago and can’t be connected to current platforms or incorporated into smart systems easily. Institutional barriers would be the lack of coordination in ministries and international agencies. Miscoordination appears in the form of funding errors, hesitation to invest in other sectors, and outdated policies that don’t keep up with AI or sustainability metrics.
Works Cited
“Anatomy of a Smart City.” BigRentz, 19 Apr. 2021, https://www.bigrentz.com/blog/anatomy-of-a-smart-city.
“Systems of Systems (SoS).” SEBoK Wiki, 22 Mar. 2024, https://sebokwiki.org/wiki/Systems_of_Systems_(SoS).
Yassine, Amine, et al. “A Systems of Systems Engineering Perspective for Global Sustainability.” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 223, 2019, pp. 1–11. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.03.182.
Zhou, Kemin, and Juan C. Cruz. “Systems of Systems and Sustainability: Integrating Socio-Technical Networks.” Systems Research and Behavioral Science, vol. 31, no. 5, 2014, pp. 607–619. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/24838618
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