It is increasingly accepted that communities with a high quality of
life embody three principles of sustainable development. First, they
balance the social, economic and environmental components of their
community. Second, they meet the needs of the current generation without
sacrificing the quality of life of future generations. Third, they
respect the needs of other communities in the wider region or
internationally to make their communities sustainable. Sustainable
communities should:
Be Diverse – value similarities and differences at the personal, interpersonal, institutional and cultural levels.
Thrive Economically – achieve economic well-being through dynamic job and business creation.
Provide Opportunity – provide a sustainable wage and economic opportunity for all citizens.
Demonstrate Environmental Stewardship – foster “cradle-to-cradle”
thinking about natural resources not just compliance with environmental
laws and regulations.
Be Open and Viable to All – provide affordable housing to all members of society near their place of work.
Be Accessible – provide safe and healthy transportation alternatives
to the automobile and stimulate economic development through the timely
and efficient movement of goods and services.
Promote Learning – equip students with the skills for success and generate a personal commitment to life-long learning.
Promote Health – promote responsible personal behavior and active lifestyles through systems that are accessible to all.
Be Safe – foster a sense of personal safety and individual behavior
that does not have to be dramatically modified to avoid fear and harm.
Promote Creativity – use arts and culture to develop the skills that contribute to innovation and a sense of well-being.
Be Engaged and Caring – understand the value of public goods, and
promote engagement in civic processes and reinvestment in the community.
This report evaluates our recent progress towards improving our
sustainability by measuring key indicators of the region’s quality of
life.
