Sustainability Indicators With A Better Way To Analyze The Local Economy

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Sustainability indicators provide city officials with a better way to analyze the local economy instead of relying on traditional community and economic indicators because research has shown those findings strongly correlate with political actions. A sustainable economy is possible only when population growth, residential land use patterns, the city’s transportation network, and employment geography/demographics are coordinated to maximize effectiveness of plan implementations. The new generation of urban planners must preach these tenets until it is understood, and against political maneuvers endangering the wellbeing of the residents, be it irresponsible development due to business tax incentives that attracted unneeded companies, or arguing …show more content…

These indicators allow planners to gauge effectiveness of policies concerning the general well-being of residents, both personal and city-wide. Economic Prosperity sustainability indicators study total employment, salary and wages, per capita and household income, income equality, and small business creation. Theses sustainability indicators provide insight into economic mobility and climate (i.e., is innovation encouraged and achievable through means available to residents?). Economic Stability is characterized by industry diversity, growth in the prime-age workforce, expansion of creative industries, and the expansion of creative industry employment. Economic stability is achieved when a community’s industries are varied and employees work in many different trades. Communities betting on a single industry would do well to diversify, and they need look no further than the information technology boom in coal mining country. Good Governance is indicated by fiscal stability, investment in sustainable (not fashionable) infrastructure, green building, support for the arts, land use regulations, and public/private partnerships. Good governance promotes democracy and self-regulation by involving all corners of the community and including their offerings to enrich the lives of those living