Quality of Life: The Importance of Man-Environment Relations and a Tentative Conceptual Model

Denis Couillard


DOI: 10.2190/P732-DH9Y-PX8K-ANW9

Abstract

In holistic planning for a group of hydrographic basins administrators must simultaneously envision the diverse socio-economic and environmental problems that accompany development projects. Today, solutions to these complex problems are increasingly sought through a new kind of consciousness-raising which emphasizes the importance of the concept of the quality of life. This notion, however, is extremely difficult to define. The primary goal of this study is to develop a descriptive and conceptual model of the quality of life concept. This dynamic and evolving model is based on pecuniary advantages and embodies six constituent parts: survival of the species, well-being, activities, production, overproduction, and life constraints. The model is applied to socio-economic and environmental repercussions resulting from the establishment of an integrated forestry complex (a Kraft bleached pulp and paper factory and sawmills) in the watershed of the Chamouchouane River, central Quebec, Canada.

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