IntegratedCommunity

SustainabilityPlans:
Monitoring&EvaluatingSuccess


















Preparedfor
SustainableCities

by
SabrinaDekker
JessieSinger

Dec,2011

TableofContents

SustainableCities 3

Introduction 4

ProblemStatement 5

Methods 6

IntegratedCommunitySustainabilityPlansTheCanadianExperience 7

IndicatorProgramsMeasuringProgresstowardsSustainability 8

Monitoring&EvaluationToolsforSustainabilityPlans 10

EvaluatingICSPs:CityCaseStudies 20

ToolkitforCities 24

Conclusion 29

References 30

Appendixes 33

SustainableCities

SustainableCitiesInternationalisaregisterednotforprofitorganizationbasedinVancouver,Canada.
Launchedin1993,themissionofSustainableCitiesistocatalyzeactiononurbansustainabilityincities
aroundtheworld.SustainableCitiesworksbyconnectingandmobilizingpeoplearoundinnovationfor
urbansustainability,linkingtechnicalandsocialinnovations,tobuildcapacityincitiesfortheshift
towardsamoresustainablefuture.

SustainableCitiesfacilitatesathriving,internationalnetworkofcitiesthatactsasanurbanlaboratory:
adopting,testingandimprovingoninnovations.Ideasareacceleratedthroughsharingofexperience
betweencitiesthataremakingtransformationalchangeareality.

Inordertoaccelerateknowledgecreationandtransfer,SustainableCitiesbelievesthattheideas,
informationandconceptsgeneratedshouldbeopensourceandshared,inwrittenform,throughour
website,socialnetworksorpersonalcontacts.Theworkundertakenheresupportsthisgoal.

Introduction

ThispaperexaminestheprogressthatCanadianmunicipalitieshavemadeindevelopingmonitoringand
evaluationtoolstotrackthesuccessoftheirsustainabilityplans.Theresearchbeingundertakenisto
drawlessonsfromcurrentinitiativestoadvanceurbansustainabilityintheCanadiancontext.The
lessonscanthenbesharedamongstcitiesintheSustainableCitiesNetwork.Focusingontheprogressof
Canadianmunicipalitiesintheimplementationofsustainabilityplanswillpresentareaswherethereare
gapsandserveasthebasisforguidingfutureresearchonsustainabilitypracticesglobally.

Theprimaryobjectiveistoprovidepracticingplannersandmunicipalitiesinthenetworkwithpractical
examplesandcasestudiesofcurrentworkbeingdoneinCanadiancitiestomonitorandevaluatethe
implementationoftheirsustainabilityplans.Theintentistoinformplanningworkandadvancecities
progresstowardstheirsustainabilitytargetsandgoalsaswellassuggesthowCanadianmunicipalities
canbenefitfromlearningfromothercitieslocallyandglobally.Thispaperincludesatoolkitthataimsto
serveasguidanceforcitiesthatwanttostarttrackingtheirsustainabilityindicators.

Secondaryobjectivesinclude:
1. Facilitatingknowledgeexchangeanddialogueonsustainabilitybetweenmunicipalitieslocally
andglobally
2. Promotingcreativesolutionsandinnovativeprojectsusedbycitiestoreducetheirecological
impactandadvancehealthy,liveablecommunities
3. Assistplannerstomovefromplanwritingtoimplementationandmeasuringsustainability
targets

ProblemStatement

Canadianmunicipalitiesoverthepastdecadehavebeentakingstepstointegratesustainability
principlesintoallplanningactivitiesinrecognitionoftherealitiesofclimatechange,resource
constraints,socialchallenges,andeconomicuncertainty.Localgovernmentsmustlooktowards
implementingpoliciesandactions,whichwillincreasetheresiliencyofcities.Currently,themajorityof
Canadianmunicipalitieshavesomeformofenvironmentaland/orsustainabilityplanorstrategy
completedinvariousstagesofimplementation.Howtomonitorandevaluateprogresstowards
sustainabilitygoalsandtargetsremainsachallengeformanyplannersandlocalgovernments.

Measuringsustainabilityisacomplexissueandisoftenplacespecific,aseachcityoperateswithina
distinctecosystemandsocialculturalcontext.Cityofficialsmustreconcilehowtomonitorquantitative
indicatorsofsustainabilitysuchasairandwaterquality,withqualitativemeasuresofhumanwellbeing
andcivicengagement.Thechallengesfacedare:

Identifyingrelevantdatatomeasuresuccessunderthevariousindicators.
Bridgingthegapbetweenacademicunderstandingsofsustainabilityindicatorsandecosystem
functionsandmunicipalplanningorganizationalstructures,whichhavetraditionallyconcerned
themselveswithlanduse,infrastructureandtransportation,socialplanning,andrecreationand
cultureprogramming.
Limitedstaff,timeandresources,particularlysmallercommunities.
AvailabilityofdatafromorganizationslikeStatsCan.

Thetoolkitwillhelpmitigatethesechallengesandothersbyestablishingafeasiblemeansfor
municipalitiestoinvestinmonitoringandevaluationtools,andbystreamliningtheprocess.

Methods

Inordertoaddressthesechallenges,thispaperwillbeginbyoutliningtheCanadianexperiencewith
IntegratedCommunitySustainabilityPlans(ICSPs);thesuccessesandchallengesfaced.Providingan
overviewofcurrentframeworksbeingusedforsustainabilityplanningandsustainabilitymeasureswill
setthecontextfordevelopingthetoolkit.ThisisfollowedbycasestudiesofspecificCanadiancitiesand
theirexperiencewithmonitoringandevaluatingtheirsustainabilityplans.Thepaperconcludeswithan
analysisofapproachesthathavesucceededandhowtheyapplyintheCanadianmunicipalcontext.

DevelopmentoftheToolkitisprimarilybasedonliteraturereviewandanalysisofcurrent
methodologies.Selectionofmethodsandindicatorstobeincludedinthetoolkitwerebasedonthe
objectivesoftheICSPsidentifiedbytheFederalGovernment.Additionstothesupplementaltoolkit
wereguidedbydiscussionswithpractitionersintheplanningandpolicyfieldsrelatedtosustainable
development.

Datawascollectedmainlythroughathoroughreviewofavailableofficialplansandsupportingmunicipal
documents.Academicliteraturewasconsultedtosituatethesustainabilityplanningapproachesused
withinthewidercontextofcurrentthinkingaroundimplementingsustainabilityinurbancentres.
Informaldiscussionswithpracticingplannersinthevariousmunicipalities,NGOsworkingon
sustainabilityissuesandacademicsprovidedfurtherinsightsandresearchdirections.

ICSPsTheCanadianExperience

In2005,theFederalGovernmentintroducedIntegratedCommunitySustainabilityPlans(ICSPs)under
theNewDealforCitiesandCommunities,tofacilitatedialogueonthefutureofcitiesinCanada.ICSPs
are:
Longtermplan(s),developedinconsultationwithcommunitythatprovidesdirectionforthe
communitytorealizesustainabilityobjectivesithasfortheenvironmental,cultural,socialand
economicdimensionsofitsidentity.PlanningforSustainableCanadianCommunities
Roundtable,2005

ActiveconsultationisacriticalpieceintheprocessofanICSP,particularlyinthedevelopmentofalong
termcommunityvisionlooking40to50yearsintothefuture.Furtherincontrasttotraditionalplanning,
ICSPsdemandthatnewdimensionsbeconsideredintheplanningprocesswhilecontinuingtomeet
citizensneeds.RootedintheconceptofsustainabilityICSPsmakeenvironmentalsustainability,
economicsustainability,socialsustainabilityandculturalsustainabilitythecornerstonesofcityplans,
suchthat:

Citiesandcommunitiesaresustainableplacesofexceptionalbeauty,neighbourliness,
prosperityrichinideas,confidence,diversity,creativityandinnovation,whereallpeopleare
includedeconomically,sociallyandpolitically.PrimeMinistersExternalAdvisoryCommittee
onCitiesandCommunities

Inshortenvironmentalsustainabilityistargetedatreducingdependenceon,consumptionof,and
participationinactivitiesthatrequirefossilfuels,extractionofmetalsandminerals,andchemicalsthat
areharmfultotheenvironment.Socialsustainabilityisbasedontherecognitionthatsocialjustice
supportsenvironmentalsustainability.Assuch,poverty,crime,inequality,andpoorhealthare
hindrancestocitiesandcitizenssucceedingintheirsustainabilitygoals.Theinclusionofcultural
sustainabilityisareflectionofCanadiansociety,inparticularitsdiversity.Culturealsoaddressesthe
artsandthecreativeclassthatarelinkedtootheraspectsofsustainabilitysuchaseconomic
development.Economicsustainabilityisfocusedoncommunityeconomicdevelopmentandtakesinto
considerationtheotherdimensionsofsustainability.

WhilemunicipalitiesarelefttodeveloptheirplanstheyarenotwithoutsupportfromtheGovernment.
TosupportcommunitiesdevelopingtheirICSPstheFederalGovernmentofCanadapromised$5billion
infundingover5yearsandtheGasTaxAgreement.Collectivelythefederalgovernment,the
provinces/territoriesandmunicipalitiesarenegotiatingagreementsthatwillallowmunicipalitiestouse
aportiontheirgastaxallocationtodevelopICSPsoverasettimeframe.Finallytoprovideadditional
supporttheGovernmenthasasetofguidingprinciplesandelementsofarecommendedICSPtoassist
plannersastheymovethroughthestagesofdevelopingICSPs.

MeasuringProgresstowards
Sustainability

Citiesandorganizationsarefocusingonthedevelopmentof
indicatorstomeasureprogress.Anindicatorprovides Indicators:selectedstatisticsor
informationonthestateorconditionofsomething.Interms parametersrelatedtokeyobjectives
ofsustainabilityindicators,Astleithneretal(2004)narrow that,whenmonitoredovertime,
thisdefinitiontoapolicyrelevantvariabledefinedinsucha representstrends.
wayastobemeasurableovertimeandspace.Sustainability
Index:subjectivecombinationsof
indicatorscanbequantitativeorqualitativemeasures;
indicatorsusedtodescribeoverall
howeverwhatdifferentiatesthemfromfamiliarecologicalor
performanceinaparticulararea.
economicindicatorsistheirfocusonlinkagesacross
differentsectors.Ecologicalandeconomicindicatorsarestill Targets:ameasurablegoalsettobe
partofsustainabilityindicatorsbymeansofintegration achievedwithinaspecifiedtime
period.
Indicatorsareimportantinholdinggovernmentsand
communitiesaccountabletotheirsustainabilitytargetsand
goals(Newman&Jennings2008).Indicatorsprovidedatatoguidepolicymakingandallowfor
comparisonstobemadeacrossmunicipalitiesandregions.Theimpactsandchallengesofsustainability
policiesandplansontheurbanenvironmentcanalsobeshownthroughindicators(Nolberto2005).
Indicatorsaremostusefulinsustainabilityplanningwhenlinkedtosustainabilitythresholdsortargets.
Thresholdsarescientificallydeterminedpointswherethestateofthingswillchangedramatically.
Targetsareoftendeterminedbypolicymakersorthroughpublicconsultationandpointtolevelsthat
mustbemetinthefutureifsustainabilitygoalsaretobereached.

Thereareanumberofissuesassociatedwiththeselection,useandreportingofsustainability
indicators.Themaindebatesovertheseissuesarereviewedbelow.

Approachestodevelopingsustainabilityindicators

Theapproachtoselectingindicatorsgenerallyfallsintotwogeneralcategories,topdownorbottomup.
Thetopdownapproachmeanspolicymakersdefinethegoalsandaccompanyingindicators,thedata
collectedisusuallyhighlytechnicalandrequiresexpertstointerpret.Thebottomupapproachis
communitybasedandinvolvesextensiveconsultationwithstakeholderstoselectappropriate
indicators.Thekeydifferenceinthetwoapproachesiscomplexity.Topdownprocessesinvolvemore
toolsthatallowforgreaterdepthofanalysis,whilebottomupprocessesaremorebasicandbroad.(Itis
possibletocombinetheapproachestocreateahybridapproach;howeverthisdependsonthecontext.)

Thesetwoapproachesreflecttheneedtodevelopindicatorsthatarebasedonaccuratescientificdata
aswellasindicatorsthatareeasytounderstandforthepublicanddecisionmakers.Asolutiontothis
problemthathasbeenputforwardistoselectasetofcoreindicators,whichspanthebreadthofa
communityssustainabilitygoals.Thesecoreindicatorsshouldbeeasilyunderstoodanddemonstrate
thelinkagesbetweenmultiplesustainabilitygoals.Alongsidethecoreindicators,whichwillbewidely
publicized,therewouldremainalongerlistofmoretechnicalandspecificindicatorsforusebycitystaff.

SelectingSustainabilityIndicators

Theuseofindicatorsinscientificfieldsisvaluedbecausetheycanprovideobjectivedatauponwhichto
basetheory.Sustainabilityhoweverisnotanabsolutequantitytobemeasured,andthedefinitionof
sustainabilityadoptedbyvariousmunicipalitiesishighlysubjective(Bell&Morse,2008).Thereis
increasingrecognitionthattheselectionanduseofsustainabilityindicatorsarehighlysubjectiveand
canthusbemanipulatedtofitvariouspoliticalagendas.Atthesametime,therearecommonelements
thatallcitiesmustaddress:environment,economy,societyandculture.

ThepathCanadianmunicipalitieshavetakentoselectindicatorsthatarebothrelevanttolocalcontexts
andprovidemeasurementofimportantsustainabilityfeaturesistoembraceabottomupapproach.The
rationaleisthatbyencouragingpublicparticipation,theprocessofindicatorselectionitselfcanwork
towardscommunitycapacitybuilding,stimulatedebateoverhowtomeasuresustainabilityandgivesa
senseofownershipofsustainabilitygoals(Newman&Jennings2008,Reedetal.2006,Nolberto2005).
Forthesereasons,goalandindicatordevelopmentprogramsinCanadianmunicipalitiesofteninvolve
lengthymultistakeholderengagementprocesses.

Elementsofgoodsustainabilityindicators:

1. Relevanttotheneedsofpotentialusers
2. Measurableandeasilyunderstoodbythecommunitiesusingthem
3. Basedondatathatisaccurate,accessible,andavailable
4. Scientificallyvalid&statisticallyrepresentative
5. Abletobeconsistentandsustainableovertime
6. Comparabletotargets&withotherjurisdictions
7. Clearlyrelatedtostatedsustainabilityvision,strategies,goals&actions
8. Costeffective
9. Interrelatedtovarioussustainabilitytargetsorgoals
10. Responsive&flexibletochangingsituations

Withtheseaspectsinmind,lookingatwhathasbeenputintopracticeinCanadaisvitaltothe
developmentofthetoolkit.

Monitoring&EvaluationToolsfor
SustainabilityPlans

AssessingacitysprogresstowardsasustainablefutureisessentialforanICSP.Selectionofmonitoring
andevaluationtoolsisachallengeforassessment.Aonesizefitsalltoolkitwouldbeideal,for
comparativepurposesandabsolutegoals;howevercities,communities,andregionsaresubjectto
diversegeographies,demographicsandeconomicconditionsthatimpactsustainability.Creatinga
toolkitthatcanacknowledgethebreadthanddepthofsustainabilityplanswillbeachallenge.Following
theassumptionthatcitiesshareacoreofbasicneedsageneralorcoretoolkithasbeencreated,and
differencescanbeconsideredviaatailoredtoolkitthatcanbeconstructedfromabankofindicators.
Whatisessentialtobothisabaselineassessmentofacityscurrentstateintermsofthesustainability
indicatorstobemeasured.Withoutbaselinedata,whichmostmunicipalitieshavegatheredinthe
processtowardsdevelopingtheirICSPs,monitoringandevaluationisimpossible.Thedatawillguidethe
selectionofindicatorsusedtomonitorprogressfromtheindicatorbank.

Developmentofthetoolkitshasgivenconsiderationtoadaptabilityandtransferabilityforuseinvarious
contexts.Bothtoolkitsconsistofquantitativeandqualitativemeasurementtools.Thecoretoolkitis
rootedinthebasicprinciplesofICSPs:Economy,Environment,SocietyandCulture.Thetailoredtoolkit
(andcore)gleansideasandexamplesfromworkthathasbeendoneinmunicipalitiesacrossCanadaand
byorganizationsglobally.Thissectionprovidesasummaryofindexesandmethodologiesthatare
availabletomunicipalities.Thefirstsectionpresentsthemethodsthatarecurrentlybeingusedby
CanadianMunicipalities.ThesecondsectionpresentsmethodsthatarebeingdevelopedintheUSand
Internationally.

MethodologiesusedinCanada

CurrentlyinCanadathreemethodologiesdominatethemonitoringandevaluationdomain:Triple
BottomLine,SmartGrowthandTheNaturalStep.Themethodologiesprovideaspringboardfor
municipalitiestodevelopindicatorstomonitortheirprogress.Consequentlythemethodologiesare
broadintheirscopeandserveasguide.

TripleBottomLine

TheTripleBottomLineisanaccountingmethodologybeingusedinthepublic,privateandnonprofit
sectorstomeasurefinancialoutcomes.Thecontextisthatorganizationscanmoveawayfromasingle
bottomlinewhereonlythefinancialoutcomesareconsideredto3bottomlineswherethe
environmentalandsocialaspectsofaventurecanbeaccountedfor.Theadvantageofthisapproachis
thatitcanbewidelyappliedtoallmunicipaldecisions.Thechallengewiththismethodologyistheequal
weightappliedtoeachoutcome.Placecontextisnotgivenconsideration,leavingavoidin
understandingthelongtermimpactsofpoliciesontheenvironmentandeconomy.

Resources
TripleBottomLineApproach http://www.triplebottomlineapproach.com/

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SmartGrowth

Smartgrowthisacollectionoflanduseanddevelopmentprinciplesmeanttohelpcommunitiesto
developinway,whichareinlinewithenvironmentalconservation,socialequityandfiscalresponsibility.
ItisaresponsetotherapidurbansprawlseeninNorthAmerica,whichsawlargesuburbsremovedfrom
proximateservicesthatnecessitatetheuseofsingleoccupancyvehicles.TheSmartGrowthmovement
isanattempttomoveawayfromthistypeofdevelopmentbyprioritizingurbangrowthboundaries,
increasedgreenspaceandinfillprojects.ThegoalofSmartGrowthistocreatecompact,higherdensity
communities,whichencouragealternativemodesoftransportationandpreservesvaluablenatural
spacessuchaswetlandsandagriculturalland.

SmartGrowthBC,ajointprojectoftheUniversityofVictoriaandtheWestCoastEnvironmentalLaw
Association,wasaleadingadvocatefortheadoptionofSmartGrowthprinciplesbycommunities.The
nonprofitsocietyprovidesanumberofonlineguidesandtoolkitsforcommunitiestobetterunderstand
SmartGrowthprincipalsandhowtoimplementthem.InMay2010,theCanadianGreenBuilding
Council(CaGBC),anorganizationwhichpromotesgreenbuildinginCanada,acquiredSmartGrowthBCs
programsandbrandtocontinuetheprovincialprogram.Thiswasthebeginningofanationalapproach
tosupportingaSmartGrowthCanadaProgramthatcombinestheprovincialsuccessofSmartGrowthBC
andthenationalnetworkofCaGBC.

TheonlinetoolkitsprovidedbySmartGrowthBCprovideinformationonthebenefitsoftheapproach
andhowtogetcitizensinvolvedintheprocessinordertohavebroadbasedbuyintoSmartGrowth
Principles.Indicatorprogrammesarepromotedasameansofmeasuringprogresstowards
implementingSmartGrowthprinciplesalongsideorganizationalrestructuringwhichcanassistin
ensuringcontinuityofmonitoringprogrammes;forexampletheformationofawatchdogcommittee.

TheOnlineSmartGrowthToolkitcontains4sectionswhichincludesanoverviewofwhymunicipalities
shouldusethisapproach,howtomeasureprogresstowardsitinyourcommunityandfurther
readings/linksforreferencepurposes.SectionII,SmartGrowthTools,TurningPrinciplesintoPractice;
identifiesspecifictoolsplannerscanusetolimitsprawlandpromotegreenspaceandecosystem
planning.ExampletoolsincludeOCPs,urbangrowthboundariesanddevelopmentstandards.SectionIII
oftheonlinetoolkit,CitizensInvolvementTools,providesachecklistwhichlinksSmartGrowth
PrinciplesandGoalswiththeappropriateplanningtools.Forexampletheprincipleofintegratingurban
developmentintoecosystemsisaccompaniedbythetoolsofwatershedplanning,integratedgreenways
planningandcomprehensivedevelopmentzones.

Resources:
SmartGrowthBC http://smartgrowth.bc.ca/
OntarioSmartGrowthNetwork(OSGN) http://www.smartgrowth.on.ca/index.htm
CanadaGreenBuildingCouncil(CaGBC) http://www.cagbc.org/

TheNaturalStepFramework

TheNaturalStep(TNS)isaninternationalorganizationthatspecializesinsustainabilitysolutionsfrom
thehouseholdtothecommunitylevelwiththegoalofcreatingabetterworldforall.IntheCanadian
contextTNSisworkingwithcommunitiestohelpthemachievetheirICSPswiththedevelopmentofICSP
guide.

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TNSconstructedtheguideusingaplanningapproachcalledbackcastingfromsustainabilityprinciples
whichinvolvesbeginningwiththeendgoal.ItisalsocalledTheNaturalStepFramework.Startingwith
thedescriptionofsuccesstheprocesscallsforthelinkingofthefuturewiththepresentcontext.
Participantsareaskedtothinkstrategicallyaboutwhatshallwedotodaytogetthere?Buildingon
thePlanningforSustainabilityGuide,theTNSframeworkcentresonfivecoreconcepts:

TheSustainabilityChallenge:Curbingthedemandforresources,isthenextchallenge.All
communitiesareimpactedbythechangestoair,waterandecosystems.Thebestoptionisto
reducethepressure.
Backcasting:Drivenbytheendresult,backcastingistheprocessofdecidingwhatthedesired
outcomeisforthefuture,thendetermininghowtoachieveit.
TheSustainabilityPrinciples:TheTNSFrameworkisbasedondefiningthesystemconditionsfor
asustainablesociety,determinedfromscientificresearch.Theresultisfoursustainability
principlesthatprovidetheparametersforsocietytooperatesustainability.
BackcastingfromSustainabilityPrinciples:Thesustainabilityprincipleshavebeentranslated
intolongtermgoals:Reduceandeliminatecontributiontotheaccumulationofmaterialsfrom
theearthscrust,theaccumulationofsubstancesproducedbysociety,theongoingphysical
degradationofnature,andconditionsthatunderminepeoplesabilitytomeettheirbasicneeds.
TheABCDPlanningProcess:TheABCDplanning
processisthebackcastingfromsustainability
principlesinaction.Therearefoursteps: TNSKeyLessons:
Awareness,BaselineAnalysis,CompellingVision,and
1.ItsaJourney,notadocument
DowntoAction.Afeedbackloopallowsforrevisiting
ofstepsasnewconsiderationsforsustainability 2.Investineducationandcapacity
arise. building

TNSrecognizedthatsustainabilityplanningisaniterative 3.Buildsharedintention
process.ThereismorethanonewaytodevelopanICSP.TNS
hasderivedkeylessonscapturedintheadjacenttextbox, 4.Knowyoursustainabilitygap
fromworkonICSPsinCanada
5.Collaborate
InlightoftheselessonsTNSprovidesanoverviewof
6.Feedthemomentumwithstrategic
IntegratedCommunitySustainabilityPlanningconsistingof6
actions
phases,thefinalbeingContinuingtheJourneyand
MonitoringProgress. 7.Evaluateprogress

Thedesiredoutcomesofthisphaseare:
AgovernanceandpartnershipsapproachestablishedtoguidetheimplementationoftheICSPin
thecommunity
Initiativesareimplementedinthecommunity
ProgressontheimplementationoftheICSPismonitoredandevaluated

TNSbeingrootedinsystemstheoryfollowsanevaluationstrategythatusesafeedbackloop,itcallsfor
ICSPstobereviewedperiodicallytoassesswhatisworkinganddevelopnewideasforsuccess.
IndicatorsformeasuringthesuccessofplansarenotsuggesteddirectlybyTNS,ratheritisthe
prerogativeofcommunitiestodeveloptheirindicatorsandtakeownershipofthem.Ownershiponall

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levelsisthekeytothesuccessintheTNSapproach.Buyinfromallstakeholdersisrequired.TNS
ultimatelycallsforashiftinlifestyle.

Resources
TheNaturalStepToolkitsforSustainability http://www.naturalstep.org/en/canada/toolkits

InternationalInitiatives

AssustainabilityisaglobalconcernorganizationsoutsideofCanadahavebeenworkingtowards
developingmethodologiestotrackprogress.FromtheUStherearetheSTARCommunityIndex,and
TheBostonIndicatorsProject.TheOECDiscurrently
workingonitsindicatorsthroughtheCitiesandGreen STARguidingprinciples:
GrowthProject.
1.Thinkandactsystematically
STARCommunityIndex
2.Instillresiliency
TheSTARCommunityIndexwasdevelopedasanational
frameworkforsustainability.Itisintheprocessofbeing 3.Fosterinnovation
developedbyICLEILocalGovernmentsforSustainability
4.Redefineprogress
(managingpartner),theU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil,and
theCenterforAmericanProgress. 5.Livewithinmeans

MuchasLEEDtransformedthebuilding 6.Cultivatecollaboration
industry,STARwilltransformthewaylocal
governmentssetprioritiesandimplement 7.Ensureequity
policiesandpracticestoimprovetheir
8.Embracediversity
sustainabilityperformance.Itwillbecomethe
definitivemeansbywhichlocalgovernments 9.Inspireleadership
measureandcertifytheirachievements
(ICLEI,2010) 10.Continuouslyimprove

Methodology

STARisaratingsystemlikeLEEDthatawardspointsforachievingtargets.Theratingsystemwillbe:

Applicabletodiverselocalities
Designedtoevolvesothatnewindicatorsandmetricscanbeincluded
Havemultiplemetrics:Policy,Performance,Practice
RatingachievementssimilartoLEED

ProposedMetricsandIndicators

METRIC INDICATORS
Environment
NaturalSystems Ecosystems,habitat,water,airquality,waste,resourceconservation
Planning&Design Landuse;transportationandmobility;parks,openspaceand
recreation

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Energy&Climate Energy,emissions,renewableenergy,andgreenbuilding

Economy
EconomicDevelopment Cleantechnologiesandgreenjobs,localcommerce,tourism,andlocal
foodsystem
Employment&Workforce Greenjobtraining,employmentandworkforcewages,andyouthskills
Training

Society
Education,Arts&Community
Children,Health&Safety
Affordability&SocialEquity
Educationexcellence,artsandculture,andcivicengagementand
vitality
Communityhealthandwellness,accesstohealthcare,andpublic
safety
Affordableandworkforcehousing,poverty,humanservicesandrace
andsocialequity

Essentiallytheproposedmetricsandindicatorscompriseamenuofoptions.Citiescanselectonesthat
areapplicabletotheircontext.Additionallytheyserveasthebaseforthe10guidingprinciplesand81
goalsthatcurrentlycomprisetheSTARIndex.

Thepurposeoftheseguidelinesistodirecttechnicaladvisorycommitteesastheydevelopindicatorsto
trackthesuccessofthe81goals.The81goalsaredividedamongsttheproposedmetricsand
indicators.Accompanyingthegoalsarepurposestatements,whichexpressthedesiredoutcomesand
aspirationsofeachgoalinacommunity.

TheSTARindexiscomprehensiveandbroadinscope.Ithasthepotentialtoprovidemunicipalitieswith
awealthofchoicewithregardstotheirselectionofindicators.Thechallengecomesintheselectionof
indicators.Balancingthegenuineneedsofacommunityoverthedesiretoachieveahigherratingmust
bereckoned.

Resources
LocalGovernmentsforSustainability(ICLEI) http://www.icleiusa.org/star

PublicPrivatePartnershipsforIndicatorInitiatives

Publicprivatepartnershipstodevelopcitybasedindicatorprogramsaregainingpopularityastheneed
forselectingplacespecificsustainabilityindicatorsisrecognized.Thesetypesofpartnershipsareuseful
astheyofteninvolvemultiplestakeholdersoutsideofcitycouncilwhocontributetheirownexperience
totheprocess.Partnershipsbetweenthecity,NGOs,environmentalgroups,postsecondaryinstitutions
andcitizenshavethepotentialtotransformhowcommunitiesperceiveofandimplementsustainability
goals.Theprocessofdevelopingindicatorscanencouragediscussionoftheconceptofsustainabilityand
influencebehaviourchangewhilefosteringcommunityownershipoftheproject.Initiativessuchas
SustainableSeattleandSustainableCalgaryareindicatorprojectswhichwerebegunbyconcerned
citizensinterestedinthefutureoftheircitiesandhavecontinuedasdeliberatevoluntaryorganizations
whichattempttoreachouttoallcitizenswithaninterestinsustainabilityissues.TheVictoriasVital
SignswasinitiatedbytheVictoriaFoundation,aregisteredCanadiancharity,andproducesanannual
report,whichevaluatesthecitybasedonvariouseconomic,environmental,socialandcultural
indicators.

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Belowisamoreindepthlookatonespecificcitybasedindicatorproject,TheBostonIndicators,which
isagoodexampleofhowacitycanbenefitfrompartnershipswithpostsecondaryinstitutionsandthe
engagementofawideswathofcitizensandnonprofits.

BostonIndicators

TheBostonIndicatorsProjectbeganasameanstounderstandtheCityoftheBostoninvarious
contexts:regional,nationalandglobal.Settingouttofacilitatecivicengagement,trackprogressand
reformthecityin10keysectors,theprojectisanexampleofmonitoringsuccesscomprehensivelyina
relevantmanner.CivicVitality,CulturalLifeandArts,theEconomy,Education,theEnvironment,Health,
Housing,PublicSafety,TechnologyandTransportationwerethetensectorschosentobethefocusof
theproject.Engagementofschoolchildren,residents,academics,policymakersandcommunitybased
expertstoshapeaCivicAgendawasthemaingoaloftheproject.Genuinelyunderstandingwhatisat
thecoreofthechallengesthatBostonfacesarevitaltothisproject.Havingdatathatsupportsthe
reportisimportanttotheprojectanditsdirection.

TheBostonIndicatorsProjectinpartnershipwithMetropolitanAreaPlanningCouncil(MAPC)offersan
onlinedatawebsite(www.MetroBostonDataCommon.org)thatenablescomprehensivedatamapping.
FurtheraddingtotherichinformationsourcestheProjecthasbecomeapartoftheUniversityof
MassachusettsLowellsOpenIndicatorsConsortium,whichisfocusedondevelopinganopensourceof
indicatorsanddataforuseacrosstheregionandnation.Theprojectisrootedinusingquantifiabledata
totrackchangesandprogress.Eachofthetensectorshasseveralindicatorsthathavebeenquantified
andcomparedtoabaseyear.

TheobjectiveofthetensectorsistopresentacomprehensivepictureofBostonintermsoflongterm
andrecenttrendsthatareimpactingthequalityoflifeinBoston.Eachsectorsusesdataobtainedatthe
regionalleveltopresentthecurrentstateofthesector.Sectorsandtheirindicatorsareasfollows:

INDICATOR MEASUREMENT/TRACKINGMETHOD

CivicVitality
ElectoralParticipation Voterregistration,voterturnout
AccesstoInformation Librarycirculation,localnewsoutlets
NeighbourlyTrustandVolunteerism

CulturalLifeandtheArts
EquitableAccesstoCulturalResources Accessforchildrenandfamilies,accesstofreeandlowcost
events,Accesstoartseducation
CulturalVibrancyandtheCreative Attendanceatmuseumsandculturalattractions,tourism,
Economy fundingfortheMassCulturalCouncil,ArtistHousing,and
culturalorganizationsandfunding

Economy
Employmentandunemployment
Costofliving
MedianHouseholdIncome

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Poverty:FamilieswithChildren
Taxes Businessandcorporatetaxes,personaltaxes,contributionsby
taxtypeandincomequintile,byeducationalattainment
SmallBusiness Minorityandwomenownedbusinesses,neighbourhoods,
communityinvestments

Education
EducationalAttainment
HighQualityEarlyEducationandCare
ThirdGradeReadingProficiency Testscores
TenthGradeMCASProficiency Testscoresformath,English,languagearts,andscience
HighSchoolCompletion Graduationrates,dropoutrates
CollegeEnrolmentandCompletion

EnvironmentandEnergy
UrbanEnvironment Urbantreecoverandrecycling
EnvironmentalHealth Airquality,waterquality,andelevatedleadlevels
Sustainability GHGemissions,greenbuildingcodeandgreenbuildings
Energy Renewableenergy

Health
CostsandCoverage Healthcarecostsandhealthinsurancecoverage
ChildHealth Birthweight,immunization,andfoodinsecurity
HealthBehaviours Teenbehavioursandphysicalactivity
Racial/EthnicDisparities Chronicdiseaseandmortality

Housing
ForeclosuresandSubprimeLending Race,ethnicity,andBostonneighbourhood
HousingCosts Medianhomeprice,medianaskingrent
HousingProductionandStability Publicandsubsidizedhousing,studenthousingand
homelessness

PublicSafety
PropertyCrime Robberies,burglaries,larceny,andvehicletheft
ViolentCrime Totalviolentcrimes(homicides,rape,aggravatedassault)
YouthSafety Riskybehaviourandyouthhomicide
Perceptions
Systems Fundingforpublicsafety,incarceration

Technology
BridgingtheDigitalDivide BostonPublicLibrary,theTimothySmithNetwork,computer
accessinBostonpublicschools
TheInnovationEconomy
STEM(Science,Technology, BPS5thand8thGradeScience,BSP10thGradeScience,and
Engineering,Math)Education intendedcollegemajor

Transportation
GreaterBostonsTransportation Roadsandbridges,MassachusettsBayTransportation

 16

System AuthorityRidership,Bikes
ModesandCostBurden Transportationtowork,theimpactoftransportationcostson
households
Sustainability Vehiclemilestraveled
FundingandStability

Resources
SustainableCalgary http://www.sustainablecalgary.ca/Page3.html
VictoriasVitalSigns http://www.victoriafoundation.bc.ca/web/vitalsigns2010
SustainableSeattle http://sustainableseattle.org/
TheBostonIndicatorsProject http://www.bostonindicators.org/Indicators2008/

OECDCitiesandGreenGrowth

TheOECDisintheprocessofdevelopingindicatorsformeasuringthesuccessofgreengrowthinseveral
cities.Theprojectwasbornoutthedemandformonitoringandevaluatingstrategiesbycitiesthatwill
enablethemtomitigatetheimpactsofclimatechange.RecentlytheOECDreleasedTowardGreen
GrowthMonitoringProgressOECDIndicators.Thereportoutlinesfourkeygroupsforindicatorswith
complementinggenericindicators:

1.Indicatorsmonitoringtheenvironmentaland
resourceproductivityofproductionand
consumption
Carbonandenergyproductivity
Resourceproductivity:materials,
nutrients,water
Multifactorproductivity
2.Indicatorsdescribingthenaturalassetbase
Renewablestocks:water,forests,fish,
resources
Nonrenewablestocks:mineralresources
Biodiversityandecosystems

3.Indicatorsmonitoringtheenvironmental 4.Indicatorsdescribingpolicyresponseand
dimensionofqualityoflife economicopportunities
Environmentalhealthandrisks Technologyandinnovation
Environmentalservicesandamenities Environmentalgoodsandservices
Internationalfinancialflows
Pricesandtransfers
Skillsandtraining
Regulationandmanagementapproaches

Thereisafifthcategorythesocioeconomiccontextandcharacteristicsofgrowthwithitsgeneric
indicators:economicgrowthandstructure,productivityandtrade,labourmarkets,educationand
income,andsociodemographicpatterns.

TheOECDhasinitsreportemphasizedtheimportanceofpoliciesthatpromotegreengrowthneedto
befoundedonagoodunderstandingofthedeterminantsofgreengrowthandofrelatedtradeoffsor
synergies.Internationallycomparabledataisavitalpieceinthedevelopmentofindicators.Clarityis
invaluableinthissituation,especiallyinrelationtothefourareasidentifiedasthemainfeaturesof
greengrowth.

 17

Developmentandimplementationofindicatorsforgreengrowthwereformulatedbasedonparameters
ornecessaryconditionsforgreengrowth:

Abalancedcoverageofthetwodimensionsofgreengrowthgreenandgrowthandof
theirmainelements.Particularattentionisgiventoindicatorsthatareofsignificanceforthe
twodimensions.
Theidentificationofkeyissuesforwhichindicatorsareneeded.I.e.thosethatareofcommon
relevancetogreengrowthinOECDcountriesandinpartnercountries.Thisdrawsuponthe
OECDsaccumulatedexperienceinpolicyanalysisandevaluation,asreflectedintheGreen
GrowthStrategy.
TheuseofaconceptualframeworkthatreflectstheintegratednatureofGreenGrowthwhile
organizingtheindicatorsinawayusefultodecisionmakersinthepublicsector.Thisneedsto
besupportedwithastatisticalaccountingframeworktohelpstructureandcombineunderlying
statisticsandensurecoherenceamongdatasets.
Thecarefulselectionofindicatorsthatbestreflectmajortrendsrelatedtotheseissues.As
indicatorscanservedifferentpurposesanduses,thenumberofpotentiallyusefulindicatorsis
fairlylarge.Itisthereforenecessarytoapplycommonlyagreeduponcriteriathatguideand
validatetheirchoice.
PolicyRelevance: AnalyticalSoundness:
TheOECDhas
describedkey Provideabalanced Indicatorsshouldbe
principlesinthe coverageofkeyGreen analyticallysound
developmentof Growthfeatures Havevaliditybuiltfrom
indicatorsthatare Easytointerpretand consensus
beneficial: transparent Belinkedtoeconomicand
Comparableand environmentalmodelling
adaptable Indicator andforecasting

Development
Principles

Measurability:

Indicatorsshouldbebased
ondatathatisavailableor
canbeobtainedata
reasonablecost
Datamustbehighquality

andregularlyupdated

 18

EnvironmentCanadasIndicators

ThissectionconcludeswithafinalexamplefromtheGovernmentofCanada.TheCanadian
EnvironmentalSustainabilityIndicators(CESI)areaconcreteexampleofquantitativeanalysisof
indicators.

IntendedtomeettheobjectivesoftheFederalSustainableDevelopmentStrategyanddirectedatthe
National,ProvincialandTerritoriallevels,CESIprovidesvaluablemeasurementsthatareapplicableat
themunicipalandregionallevels.

Monitoringofthevariousindicatorsfocusesonvariouslevelsofmeasurement:national,regionaland
local.Thesemeasurementsarefurthercomparedtointernationalperformancetogivecontextto
Canadianachievementsinsustainabledevelopment.

Thelistofindicatorsiscomprehensiveinregardstothespecificareasthataretargetedcurrentlythe
indicatorsarecategorizedintoairandclimate,waterandnature.Whatisnotableisthatsomeofthe
indicatorsareeasilymeasured,suchasgreenhousegasemissions,wheredatacanbecollectedon
variouslevels.Inothercasesthatarenotstraightforward,themethodologyformeasuringtheindicator
isprovidedbyCESI.Reportsprovidingadescriptionoftheindicator,howitwasderived,sourcesof
information,andcaveatsandlimitationsareprovidedtoenableusersofCESItounderstandthe
indicatorfullyinavarietyofcontexts.

CESIiscomprehensiveandrootedinscientificmethods,andthususesequipmentandresourcesthatare
notavailabletomunicipalities.Municipalitiesfacedwithlimitedfinancialresourcescannevertheless
useCESIasaguidetoselectfeasiblemeasurementtools.

Resources
EnvironmentCanadaCESI http://www.ec.gc.ca/indicateursindicators/

EvaluatingICSPs:CityCaseStudies

CanadiancitiesareinvariousstagesoftheICSPprocess;somearestilldraftingtheirplanswhileothersarebeginningimplementationand
movingtowardsmonitoringandevaluatingtheirplans.Thecasestudiespresentedinthefollowingtableareintendedtodemonstratehow
Canadiancitiesaremonitoringtheirprogresstowardssustainability.Itisrecognizedthatthereisnotaonesizefitsallapproachtosustainability
planning.Thereforethecasestudiesaremeanttopresentabroadrangeofindicatorsandideasthatcanbesharedamongstcitiesastheystrive
forsustainabilitysuccess.Whatwillalsobeevidentisthattherearekeyelements(society,environmentandeconomy)andgoals(growth,
safety,wastereduction)tosustainabilityplanningthatarecommontocities.Thecasestudiesarethereforeexamples.

Belowisanoverviewofthecitiesexaminedinthispaper,theirICSPinitiativesandaccompanyingmonitoringandreportingformats.Thisis
merelyabriefsamplingoftheworkthatisbeingdoneacrossCanada.Selectionofthecitieswasbasedonavailableinformationatthetimethat
researchbegan.
 IntegratedCommunitySustainabilityPlansCanadianCities
Prov City Plan/report Timeframe MonitoringTool ReportingFormat Notes
20
Hamilton Vision2020 Developed&adoptedin1992, Publicprivatepartnershipsfor 2008SustainabilityIndicators includesawebofinterconnection
readoptedin2003renewedevery indicatorinitiatives14categories, Report:Annualindicatorsreport undereachindicatorillustration
5years 28indicators (IndicatorsReportCard)starred linkagestoothersustainabilityareas
reportcardon14categories
followedbyindepthreport(goals,
actionsetc)

Guelph GreenPlan Adopted1994, Publicprivatepartnershipsfor StateofSustainabilityReport Municipalityhasalreadycompleted

Commitmenttoupdatein2005 indicator preparedevery3years(most onereviewofselectedindicators
10focusareas+25indicators recent:covers19982001)

Rankprogresstowardindicators:
makingprogress,needs
improvement&hardtosay

Markham Markham'sgreenprint 50to100yrplan Publicprivatepartnershipsfor Indicatorstobemonitored& Theplanprovidesfora

SustainabilityPlan2011 indicatorinitiativesindicatorsfor updatedbytheSustainabilityOffice comprehensivepublicreviewof
eachofthe12sustainability priorities&recommendationsto
prioritiesidentifiedintheplan occurevery5yearsandareviewof
selectedindicatorstooccurevery2
5years

NiagaraRegion Niagara2031/SustainableNiagara 2010Visionanddevelopmend, SmartGrowthandtheMelbourne Reportingisbasedonquestions: Ratherthangoalsdefininga

2011Implementationand Principles(StarIndex)13 Whatarewemeasuring? selectionofindicators,theplan
monitoring indicatorsand8goals (OperationalMetric/Environmental hereistheinverse.Theindicators
Indicator) arethefocusandareusedto
WhereNiagaraisToday?(Niagara demonstratedthe
TodayBaseline) interconnectednessofthegoals
Whereothercitiesaretargeting?
(PrecedentTargets)
WhereshouldNiagarabe?
(ProposedNiagaraTarget

Montreal Bilan2008 Developedin2005,Startedin2007, 79indicatorsbasedon36actions, Baselinedatacollectedin2007and Theplanisdevelopedwiththe

firstreport2009 fortwotheactionsindicatorsare assessedagainstindicatorsevery knowledgethatparticipationis
underdevelopment yearandnewtargets/indicators requiredfromallstakeholders.
established Indicatorsandactionsreflectthe
needforpartnershipsbetween
publicsector,institutions,
businessesandnonprofitsinorder
forMontrealtobeasuccessf

 21

Cochrane Cochrane2059 Beganin2008withan11month 13Pathwaystothefuturewith 6actionsgroupswereassembledtoRootedinsystemstheorythe

longvisioningprocesscentredon associatedtargetsandindicators reportonexistingneeds,key CochraneSustainabilityPlanis
ctiizenengagement trends,developdescriptionsof focusedonthelongtermand
success,establishtargetsand thereforelooksforconnections.
Alberta

identifyactions Theplanhasidentified6
interconnectedcommunitysystems,
thatarerelevanttoCochraneand
playkeyrolesinthecommunity:cul

Whistler Whistler2020 Whistler2020wasdevelopedfrom TheNaturalStep16strategiesand Implementationcentresonthe16 Whistler2020linksits5keypriority

theWhistler2002plan.Itis accompanyingindicators,basedon taskforcesengagedinaction areaswiththe16stratetiesand
focusedonmaintaingthecontinued5priorityareas planningannuallytoassessthe selectrelatedindicators.
successofthecommunityby previousyearssuccessand
ensuringcommunityparticipation proposepriorityactionsforthe
initsdevelopmentprocess. comingyears.

Fernie FernieLiveabilityReport2010 FirstAnnualReport2009 QualityofLifeIndexindicatorsto LiveabilityReportbuildsonQuality Reportingsystemdevelopedbythe

measureprogesstowards
achievementofOCPVision(8
qualityoflifethemes+indicators),
communitysurvey
ofLifeIndexsetsoutperformance communitythroughengagement
resultsagainstindexindicators, initiativesandcommunitysurvey;
tracktrendsovertime,trafficlight indicatorsareverylocalized
evaluation(green=generally
performingwell,yellow=some
concernsabouttrendsor
performance,red=significant
concernsaboutperformance
and/ortrends)

Vernon PlanVernon SmartGrowthDevelopment Usesthechecklisttotrackits Thechecklistmethodologyisuseful

Checklist advancementtothesustainability toensuringthatstepsarebeing
objectivesthecityhasdefined: takentowardssustainability.
Efficientuseofpublicfunds, Vernonneedstoquantifyitstargets
protectopenspaceandnatural
areas,placemaking,accessibility,
housingchoice,shortercommutes
andmoretransportationchoice

MetroVancouver MetroVancouverSustainability reportingonsustainabilitysince Issueareas&indicators 16issueareasidentifiedfor Focusesonindicatorswhichtrack

Report2009 2002SRI evaluation issuesthattheMetroRegionhasa
roleinmanaging.
Assistsmunicipalitiestoseewhere
theirresponsibilitiesfitintothe
overarchingSRI

CaseStudies:Concludingremarks

ItisevidentthatthereisalimitedavailabilityofmonitoringreportsfromcitiesacrossCanadaascities
areatvariousstagesoftheirICSPs.Thepresenceofacomprehensiveandambitioussustainabilityplan
doesnotnecessarilytranslateintoimplementationandreportinginallcases.Implementationistiedto
resourcesintermsofstaffcapacity,politicalwill,andfinances.Thiscreateschallengesforplannersas
theydevelopindicatorsfortheircommunities,astherearefewexamplesfromwhichtolearn.However
thereportsthatareavailableprovideastrongbasewhichothercitiescanuse.

Fromareviewoftheindicatorsbeingusedinvariousmunicipalities,anumberofconclusionsabouthow
indicatorsarebeingadaptedtovariouslocalneedscanbedrawn.Threethemesarose:
Inclusionofadescriptionofthelinkagesbetweentheindicatorsandsustainabilitygoals,
Acknowledgementofanyweaknessesorlimitationsincurrentdatacollectionormeasurement
techniques.
Useoflocalizedmeasurementsanddata.

Themajorityofthereportsandplansreviewedprovidedadescriptionofhowtheselectedindicators
helpedtomonitorprogresstowardsmultiplesustainabilitygoals.Forexample,theprovisionof
accessibleandaffordabletransportationchoicesrelatesprimarilytoGHGemissionreductionbutalso
socialequity,individualhealthandfosteringasociallifestyleinthecitythroughwalkingandbiking.
HamiltonandWhistlerprovidevisualrepresentationstodemonstratetheinterconnectionsbetween
indicatorsandgoals.

Limitationsofthecurrentmeasurementtechniquesanddatasourcesarealsodiscussedintheavailable
reports.Acknowledgementofthechallengesinfulfillingsustainabilitygoalsdemonstratesthe
commitmentmunicipalitieshavetocreateacultureoftransparencyandaccountabilityaroundtheir
sustainabilityplans.Asanexample,whileconductingacommunitysurveyfortheirLiveabilityReport,
theCityofFerniefoundthatresidentswereconcernedwithmonitoringcommunityconsumptionof
localfood.Thedataforthisparticularindicatorwasnotavailableatthetimeofpublishing,howevera
questiononlocalfoodproductionwasincludedinthesurveyinresponsetoresidentsrequestandthe
datainsertedintothefinalreport.Thisapproachdemonstratedcommitmenttotheparticipatory
processandcanhelpcommunitiesmovetowardstheirsustainabilitygoalsbyidentifyingwherethegaps
indataare.

Municipalitieshaveusedcreativityintheirdatagatheringinanattempttoaddresstheissueoffinding
appropriatedatatomeasureprogresstowardssustainabilitygoals.Somemunicipalitieshaveformed
partnershipswithlocalnonprofits,societiesandclubstoaccessdataoutsideofofficialcitystatistics,
simultaneouslybuildingasenseofcommunityandcommonownershipofsustainabilitygoals.For
example,theCityofGuelphtomeasuretheirprogressinprotectingwildlifehabitatwithinthecity
turnedtolocalbirdwatchersforassistance.ThedataincludedintheirStateofSustainabilityReport
camefromasevendayperiodofbirdcountsconductedbythelocalbirdwatchersinthesouthernend
ofthecity.Thoughacknowledgedasnotalongtermfixformeasuringhabitatpreservation,inthe
interim,thecityisworkingtomakeuseoflocalassets.


ToolkitforCities

Inmovingtowardsdevelopingamonitoringandevaluationtoolkititmustberecognizedthatevery
municipalityhasuniquefeaturesthatshapeitspoliciesandplanningdecisions.Thereforeitfollowsthat
atoolkitwillnotbeaonesizefitsallbox.Theproposedtoolkitpresentedhererecognizesthatattheir
coremunicipalitieshaveobligationstomeetthebasicneedsofitscitizens.

DevelopmentofthetoolkitbeginswiththefouraspectsofsustainabilityoutlinedbytheFederal
GovernmentforICSPs:Environmental,Economic,SocialandCultural.Usingthesefourareasasthe
baseprovidesthecommongroundfromwhichallmunicipalitiesacrossCanadaarecreatingtheirICSPs.
Differencesbetweenmunicipalitiesareacknowledgedbydividingthetoolsusedasgeneralorspecific.
Toclarify,specificwillrefertotoolsthatcanbeusedbasedontheirvaluetothemunicipality.For
example,acityonafreshwaterlakewillnotbeconcernedwithindicatorsrelatedtousingmarinelifeas
adeterminantofimprovedwaterquality.

Toprovidecontextandtoreiteratethegeneralaspectsoutlinedbythefederalgovernment:

1. Environmentalsustainability:reducingdependenceon,consumptionof,andparticipationin
activitiesthatrequirefossilfuels,extractionofmetalsandminerals,andchemicalsthatare
harmfultotheenvironment.
2. Socialsustainability:Recognitionthatsocialjusticesupportsenvironmentalsustainability.
3. Culturalsustainability:ReflectionofCanadiansocietyanditsdiversity,theartsandthecreative
classthatarelinkedtootheraspectsofsustainabilitysuchaseconomicdevelopment.
4. Economicsustainability:Communityeconomicdevelopmentandtakesintoconsiderationthe
otherdimensionsofsustainability.

Priortopresentingthetoolkit,clarifyingthedefinitionsofgoals,indicatorsandtargetsisessential.
Goalsinthecontextofsustainability,istheendresulttowhichallactionsaredirected.Insustainability
though,thegoalisconstantlyshiftingovertimeaseachendisachieved.Targetsarestepsor
milestonesthatcomprisethegoal.Indicatorsaregroupsofstatisticalvaluesthatindicateprogress
towardsthetargetsandgoal.

NOTE:Theresearchthathasservedasthebasisforthedevelopmentforthistoolkitpresentedchallenges
withthedefinitionsthatthetoolkitwillattempttoamend.Inseveraloftheplansandreportsfrom
municipalitiestargetswerestatedandquantified,howevertheindicatorswereleftasimplied.Itis
understoodthatICSPsareinvariousstagesandthatindicatorsareconstantlyevolvingtomeetchanging
circumstance;howeverthistoolkitdevelopedfromabroadrangeofsourcessetsouttopresent
municipalitieswithabankofindicatorideas.

TheToolkit

Therearefoursectionsinthetoolkitunderwhichindicatorsarecategorized:Environment,Economy,
SocialandCultural.Quantitativeandqualitativeindicatorsandmeasuresarepresentedforeachofthe
subcategorieswithinthefourmaincategories.Indicatorsthatareadaptabletomeetplacespecific
characteristicswillbeitalicized.Asummarytablepresentstheindicatorsandmeasuresintermsof
 24

possiblesourcesformethodology.Inshortthetabledirectsuserstowardsprojects,whichhavestrong
examplesofindicatorsthatspecializeinagivenareaofsustainability.

EnvironmentalSustainabilityprimarilyincludesEcosystems,WaterQuality,andAirQuality.
Givenitsbaseinscienceanditshistoryinsustainability,measuringenvironmentalsustainabilityisthe
simplest.Manycitiesandorganizationshaveabroadrangeofindicatorsforassessingprogress
towardstargetsandgoals.

EcosystemIndicators
Quantitative Qualitative
Hectaresofprotectedareas FocusGroups,SurveysandInterviews
Numberofspeciesandplantsinagivenarea o Assessattitudestowardsconservation
Numbersofaspecificplant(endangered andprotection
species) o Trackincidenceoflitterinparks
Numbersofaspecificanimal(endangered o Attitudestowardspollution
species)
Ratesofadverseeventsthatimpact
ecosystems(iemajorstorms)
Forestfiresinsummer
Floodinginspring
Extremetemperatures
Numberandsizeofnaturalprotectedareas

WaterQuality&Availability
Quantitative Qualitative
Levelofpollutioninfreshwater,ocean FocusGroups,SurveysandInterviews
Amountofwastedepositedinfreshwater o Breakdownofwateruses
byindustry o Howarehouseholdadaptingand
Numberoffishspecieslivinginastream recyclingwater
Freshwaterqualityrating
Waterusagebyuse(percapita,household)
Waterusagebymonth

AirQuality/GHG
Quantitative Qualitative
LevelofPollution FocusGroups,SurveysandInterviews
QuantityofAirborneirritants o PerceptionsofpollutionandGHG
Airtemperature/humiditybymonth o HowcanairqualityandGHGbe
LevelofGHGemissionbyhouseholdand changed
industry/sector o Whatactionsarebeingtakentoreduce
FineparticulatematterNO2,SOx GHGandimproveAirQuality

Environmentalindicatorsthatarenotapplicabletoallcitieswouldbeonesthatarespecifictourban
environmentsandruralenvironments.

UrbanEnvironment
Quantitative Qualitative

 25

UrbanheatIslandeffect:Temperature FocusGroups,Surveysandinterviews
changes o Perceptionsofsustainabilitypractices
Numberofpublicgreenspaces o Howcitizensarepracticing
Numberofinitiativestoreduceheatislands sustainability
Numberofbuildingsretrofittedforenergy
efficiency
Percentageofbuildingsbuiltgreenand
aboverequiredbuildingcodes
Numberofpeopleusingalternativemodes
oftransportation;walking,cycling,using
publictransit
WastemanagementStrategies
Numberofcommunitygardens
Walkability(walkscore)

RuralEnvironment
Quantitative Qualitative
Cropyieldsovertime(decreases/increases) FocusGroups,Surveysandinterviews
andcorrelationtotemperature o Perceptionsofsustainabilitypractices
Numberofalternativemodesoftransporting o Howcitizensarepracticing
goodstourbancentres sustainability
Numberoffarmersshiftingtowards o RuralEnvironment
sustainablefarmingpractices(pesticideuse,
irrigation)

SocialSustainabilityrecognizestheroleofsocialjusticeinachievingsustainability.Poverty,crime,
inequalityandpoorhealthallhinderindividualsandcommunitiesintheirprogressiontowards
sustainability.Measuringsocialsustainabilityleansmoretowardsneedingplacespecificindicators.
Howevertherearebasicaspectsofsocialsustainabilitythatareneeded:Education,Health,and
Security.Theseaspectscanimpactcitiesinvaryingdegrees.Forexamplethreatstosecuritycanrange
fromfearofchildrennotbeingabletocrossthestreetsafelytogangviolencethatforceseveryoneto
stayindoors.Indicatorswillthereforeneedtocoverthespectrumofsocialneedswiththebasic
assumptionthateveryonewantstolivealifefreefromfearandwant.

Education
Quantitative Qualitative
Attainmentofscholasticaptitudetestsfor FocusGroups,SurveysandInterviews
readingandmathinspecificgrades(5,8and o Perceptionsofeducation
12) o Curriculumlinkstocommunity
Numberofchildrenwhocompletehigh
school
Numberofchildrenwhoenterpost
secondaryschool
Numberofpeoplewithhighschooldegrees,
diplomas,undergraduatedegrees,graduate
degreesetc

 26

Studenttoteacherratios
Libraryratesofuseandaccess

Health
Quantitative Qualitative
Costofhealthcare FocusGroups,SurveysandInterviews
Accesstohealthcare o Perceptionsofcommunitywellness
Ratesofobesity/malnutrition o Perceptionsofhealth/mentalhealth
Ratesofdisease(diabetes,asthmaetc)
Recreationfacilitiesratesofuse
Physicalactivitylevelinschools
Numberofphysicalactivityprograms
available

Safety
Quantitative Qualitative
Numberofminorcrimes FocusGroups,SurveysandInterviews
Numberofviolentcrimes o Perceptionsofsecurityandsafety
Numberofcaraccidents o Whatissafety
Policeforcesize
Percentagechildrenthatgotoschoolby
themselves

Housing
Quantitative Qualitative
Costofhousingrelativetohousehold FocusGroups,SurveysandInterviews
income o Perceptionsofhousingaffordability
o Mortgageratesperunitsize
o Rentalratesperunitsize
Rateofhomeownership
Rateofhomerental
Numberofaffordablehousingunits
Numberofsocialhousingunits

CulturalSustainability,atfirstglanceculturewouldlogicallybeseenasasocialsustainability.However,
culturalsustainabilityisconcernedwiththeartsandcultureactivitiesthatcharacterizecommunity.
AdditionallyintheCanadiancontextcultureisalsoareflectionofthenationsdiversityandtheabilityto
embracenewideas.

Arts(andtheCreativeClass)
Quantitative Qualitative
Numberofartgalleries,theatres FocusGroups,SurveysandInterviews
Numberoffestivalsbytype o Perceptionsoftherelationshipbetween
Attendanceatfestivals artandsustainability
Numberofeventswithanenvironmental

 27

focus
Numberofartiststhatuserecycledproducts
intheirwork

Diversity
Quantitative Qualitative
DemographicsofCulturepercentageof FocusGroups,SurveysandInterviews
population o Perceptionsofsustainabilitypractices
Rateofimmigration acrosscultures
Numberofreligiousinstitutions

EconomicSustainabilityisprimarilyfocusedonthegreeneconomy,greengrowthandgreen
developmentandtheirlinkstothepreviousthreeelementsofsustainability.Measuringeconomic
sustainability(aswiththeothers)isacontinuousprocessthatrequiresbaselinedatathatwillallowfor
econometricanalysistopredictthedirectionofsustainabilitypolicies.

Economy
Quantitative Qualitative
Numberofjobs FocusGroups,SurveysandInterviews
Numberofjobscreated o Knowledgeofgreenjobs/economy
Diversityofjobs o Consuminggreen
Numberofemployersthatprovidegreen
incentivestoemployeesforcommutingto
work
Numberofcompaniesworkingtoreduce
energyconsumption

Development
Quantitative Qualitative
Numberofbuildingsthatareenergyefficient FocusGroups,SurveysandInterviews
(netzeroetc) o Knowledgeofbestpractices
Numberofgreencompanies

Thetablesabovearenotanexhaustivelistofindicators.Insteadtheyareindicatorsthatarecommonto
mostcities.Thusthetablebelowsummarizesadditionalsourcesforindicatorsthatmunicipalitiescan
accessastheydevelopandselectindicatorstomeettheiruniqueneeds.Theappendixofthispaper
containsamoredetaillistofindicatorsforeachcityinvestigatedinthispaper.

IndicatorType Economics Environment Social Cultural

Resource OECDGreen CESI, BostonIndicators BostonIndicators
Growth TheNaturalStep Star
BostonIndicators Framework
STAR
SmartGrowth

 28

OECDGreen
Growth

CitywithStrong Whistler,Niagara Whistler, Montreal,Fernie, Montreal,
Indicators Cochrane,Niagara Markham, Markham,
Whistler

 29

Conclusion

UltimatelycitiesacrossCanadaareinvariousstagesoftheirICSPsandaresuccessfullydeveloping
uniquestrategiesfortheircommunities.Ithasbecomeclearthatthegreatestchallengeforcitiesis
developingindicatorstomonitorandevaluatetheirprogress.HoweverthisinvestigationintoICSPsand
indicatorstoolshasdemonstratedthatcitiesarerisingtothechallengebythefollowing:

1. Placingemphasisonbottomupapproachestodevelopingsustainabilityindicatorsand
producingreportingmechanisms,whichcanbeeasilyunderstoodbythecommunityanda
broadrangeofstakeholders.
2. Citiesareembracingthechallengeandformulatingcreativemeanstotracktheirsuccess.
3. Developingstrongpartnershipswithbusiness,institutions,andnonprofitstogainaccessto
dataandideastocreativelymeasureprogresstowardssustainabilitytargets.
4. Furtherthereisstrongevidencethatcitiesareactivelyengagingcitizensintheprocessthereby
strengtheningthecommitmenttosustainability.

InorderforcitiestomaintainthemomentumoftheirICSPsandadvancetheirprogress,thereare
severalkeylessonstokeepinmind:

Resources:Citiescanbeconstrainedbytheavailabilityofdataandinformation,however
plannersandpolicymakersmustrememberthatthereareotheragenciesingovernmentandin
thenonprofitsectorthathaveaccesstoresources.OneexampleistheCanadian
EnvironmentalSustainabilityIndicators,fromEnvironmentCanada.Thisisanexcellentsource
ofdatarootedinscientificresearchthatwillenablecitiestotrackenvironmentalprogress.
Others,notspecifictotheCanadiancontextbutthatprovideclearexamplesofindicatorsare:
STARIndex,BostonIndicatorsProject,TheNaturalStep,SmartGrowth,andtheOECDsCities
andGreenGrowth.Ultimately,innovationandcreativitybycitieswillenablethemtotapinto
availabledatasourcesrelatedtosustainabilitytodeveloptheirindicatorsandtracktheir
success.
BaselineData:Connectedtoresourcesisbaselinedata;ICSPshavelittlevalueintheabsenceof
baselinedata.Citiesmusthaveastartingpoint,fromwhichtoestablishtheirsustainability
goals.TheResortMunicipalityofWhistlerisastrongexampleofacitythathasbaselinedata
supportingtheirICSP.Dataprovidesaquantifiablemeanstomeasuresuccess.
ClearVision:Citiesneedtohaveavisionoftheirfutureinthecontextofsustainability.Further
thevisionneedstobesharedbyallmembersofthecommunity,toachievesuccess.Civic
engagementisavitalpieceinthedevelopmentofICSPs.Asmostofthecasestudieshave
demonstratedpublicengagementhasplayedakeyroleindevelopingtheplanandcontinuesto
serveasatoolforevaluatingsuccessyearly(Whistler,Cochrane,Guelph,andNiagaraRegion).
KnowledgeExchange:ThepurposeofthispaperistopresentwhathasbeendonebyCanadian
citiesinrelationtointegratedsustainabilityplanning;creatinganopportunitytolearnand
exchangeideas.Citiesmayfaceuniquechallengestosustainability,basedontheirgeography,
howeveranopportunitytolearnfromanothercitycanserveasastartingpointforinnovationto
addressingsustainabilitychallengesspecifictotheircontext.

 30

Canadiancitiesarecommittedtosustainabilityasdemonstratedbyindicatorsandplansthathavebeen
presentedinthispaper.Thusitishopedthatascitiesprogresstheywillcontinuetoengageindialogue
thatwillenablethemtoshareknowledgeandideasrelatedtomeasuringsustainability.

 31

REFERENCES

Astleithner,Florentina,Hamedinger,Alexander,Holman,Nancy&Rydin,Yvonne.Institutionsand
Indicatorsthediscourseaboutindicatorsinthecontextofsustainability.JournalofHousing
andtheBuiltEnvironment.Vol.19,Iss.1,2004,p.724.

Barca,Fabrizio&McCann,Philip(2011).OutcomeIndicatorsandTargetsTowardsaPerformance
OrientedEUCohesionPolicy.HighLevelGroupReflectingonFutureCohesionPolicy,Meeting
no.8

Bell,Simon&Morse,Stephen.(2008).SustainabilityIndicators:Measuringtheimmeasurable?London,
UK:Earthscan.

Elkington,John.(2004).EntertheTripleBottomLine.

Ghosh,Sumita,Vale,Robert&Vale,Brenda.(2006).Indicationsfromsustainabilityindicators.Journalof
UrbanDesign.Vol.11,Iss.2.P.263275.

Hoornweg,Danieletal.(2006).CityIndicators:NowtoNanjing.PaperpresentedbytheWorldBankat
theThirdWorldUrbanForum,Vancouver,June22,2006.

Ling,Christopher,et.al.(2009).ATemplateforIntegratedCommunitySustainabilityPlanning.
EnvironmentalManagement.Vol.44,pp228242.

Maclaren,Virginia,W.(1996).Developingindicatorsofurbansustainability:AfocusontheCanadian
experience.Toronto,ON:ICURRPress.

Munier,Nolberto.(2005).Introductiontosustainability:roadtoabetterfuture.Dordrecht,Netherlands:
Springer.

Newman,Peter&Jennings,Isabella.(2008).Citiesassustainableecosystems:principlesandpractices.
Washington,DC:IslandPress.

Reed,MarkS.,Fraser,EvanD.G.,&Dougill,AndrewJ.(2006).Anadaptivelearningprocessfor
developingandapplyingsustainabilityindicatorswithlocalcommunities.EcologicalEconomics.
Vol.59.P.406418.

Scerri,Andy&James,Paul.(2010).Accountingforsustainability:combiningqualitativeandquantitative
researchindevelopingindicatorsofsustainability.InternationalJournalofSocialResearch
Methodology.Vol13,Iss.1,p.4153.

www.bostonindicators.org

 32

CITYRESOURCES

CityofMontreal
PREMIERPLANSTRATGIQUEDEDVELOPPEMENTDURABLEDELACOLLECTIVITMONTRALAISE
Bilan2008delaphase20072009

ResortMunicipalityofWhistler
Whistler2020
http://www.whistler2020.ca/whistler/site/homepage.acds?instanceid=1930792&context=1930501
http://www.whistler.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=154&Itemid=203

CityofFernie
TheQualityofLifeIndexandLiveabilityProject
http://www.fernie.ca/siteengine/ActivePage.asp?PageID=345

FernieLiveabilityReport2010
http://fernie.iwebez.com/files/%7BD77B8C6D65E74805AAB4
73D991F4BF8C%7D110120%20liveabilility%20report%20final%20ADOPTED%20JAN%202411.pdf

CityofGuelph
GreenPlanwebsite
http://guelph.ca/living.cfm?smocid=1948

CityofGuelphStateofSustainabilityReport:2ndEdition1998to2001
http://guelph.ca/uploads/ET_Group/admin/GPSC_SOSR_2003.pdf

CityofHamilton
Sustainabilitywebsite
http://www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartments/PlanningEcDev/Divisions/StrategicServicesSpecialProjects/Su
stainability.htm

2008SustainabilityIndicatorsReport
http://www.hamilton.ca/ProjectsInitiatives/V2020/IndicatorsMeasuringProgress/2008+Sustainability+In
dicators+Report.htm

TownofMarkham
MarkhamsGreenprintSustainabilityPlan
http://www.markham.ca/wps/wcm/connect/0c98f70047b7a0ae8da6fd81675ea5bc/GreenPrint+FINAL+
Plan_2011_lower+res.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=0c98f70047b7a0ae8da6fd81675ea5bc

CityofToronto
TorontoGreenDevelopmentStandard
http://www.toronto.ca/planning/environment/greendevelopment.htm#standards

Comox
ComoxValleySustainabilityStrategy

 33

MetroVancouver
SustainableRegionInitiative
http://www.metrovancouver.org/ABOUT/SRI/Pages/default.aspx

MetroVancouverSustainabilityReport2009
http://www.metrovancouver.org/about/publications/Publications/SustainabilityReport2009.pdf

 34

AppendixACitiesInvestigated

CityofHamilton,Ontario2008SustainabilityIndicatorsReport

Sustainabilitywebsite
http://www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartments/PlanningEcDev/Divisions/StrategicServicesSpecialProjects/Su
stainability.htm

VISION2020isalongtermvisionfortheCityofHamiltonthatismeanttoguidehowthecityworksto
buildasustainablecommunity.Itwasfirstadoptedbycouncilin1992andhasbeenrenewedeveryfive
yearssince.TheAnnualIndicatorsReportisintendedtodemonstratetheprogressbeingmadetowards
thegoalsoutlinedinVISION2020aswellastohighlightareas,whichrequirefurtheraction.These
reportsaremeanttoprovideastartingplacefordebateandresultingactionforcouncilandthe
communitytotakeactionontheirsustainabilitygoals.Theindicators,whicharereportedoninthe
AnnualIndicatorsReports,werefirstdefinedin1994andthenupdatedin1999toreflectnew
understandingsofsustainabilitygoals.

Duringthe2003renewalofVISION2020,CityCouncilsoughttoimplementthegoalsoutlinedinthe
visionbyintegratingitdirectlyintosomeofthecitysdecisionmakingprocesses.Thiswasdoneunder
theBuildingaStrongFoundationinitiative,whichintegratedVISION2020goalsintootherplanning
processessuchastheGrowthRelatedIntegratedDevelopmentStrategy(GRIDS),andtheOfficial
CommunityPlan(OCP).

Hamiltonsdefinitionofsustainabilitygivesequalweighttosocial/health,economicandenvironmental
costs,benefitsandriskswhenmakingdecisions.Itisrecognizedthatmovingtowardsthegoalsoutlined
inVISION2020requiresawidespreadunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenpeopleandtheir
environment.Thecityfurtherrecognizesthatequityandfairnessarerequisitesforasustainable
community.

Category Indicators Notes

Environment
Improvingquality totalloadingofammoniain ammoniacanincreasealgalgrowthwhich
ofwaterresources HamiltonHarbour reducestheamountoflightthatreachesaquatic
plantsbelowthesurface,decomposingalgae
consumesoxygen&istoxictofishinexcess
totalloadingofphosphorous excessphosphorouspromotesalgalgrowth
intoHamiltonHarbour

totalwaterconsumptionfor averageconsumptionforresidential,commercial
alluses &heavyindustrialpermeteredaccounts

#of"allbeachesopenfor total%ofdaysopenduringswimmingseason
swimmingdays" betweenVictoriaDay&LabourDaybasedon
levelsofbacteria

 35

Naturalareas& cumulativeareaofsignificant environmentallysignificantareasaredetermined

corridors naturalareasprotectedby basedonecology,hydrology&geology
privatestewardshiporunder
agreements
Reducing& allsolidwastegenerated includingcompost,recycling&landfillwaste
managingwaste
Consumingless averageresidentialelectricity averageannualelectricityconsumptionfor
energy consumption residentialaccountsinkilowatts/hour/year
(farmsareexcluded)
Improvingair groundlevelozone(O3) #ofhoursthatairlevelsofO3exceed50ppb
quality criteriahoursexceeding50 eachyear(consideredmoderateundertheAir
partsperbillion(ppb) QualityIndexoftheOntarioMinistryofEnviron

annualaveragesulphur averageambientairconcentrationsatmonitoring
dioxide(SO2)concentration stationsthroughoutthecity

annualaveragenitrogen
dioxide(NO2)concentration
annualaverageinhalable
particulatematter(PM10)
concentration
annualaveragerespirable
particulatematter(PM2.5)
concentration
hospitalizationratefor referstoindividualswithrespiratoryillnessthat
respiratoryillnessper aredischargedfromhospital
100,000people
Changingourmode Transitridershippercapita
oftransportation
#ofcarspercapita
Culture
Arts&heritage #ofvisitstohistoricsites,arts usesmajorhistoricsites,artvenues&museums
venuesandmuseumsper
capita
Economic
LocalEconomy rateofparticipationinthe %ofpopulationover15yrswhoareemployedor
labourforce activelylookingforwork
Agriculture&rural #ofhectaresofagricultural
economy landlostduetoOCP
amendments
Landuseinthe #ofresidentialunitswith annual#ofresidentialunitswithbuildingpermits
urbanarea permitsinthedowntown issueswithinDowntownHamiltonCommunity
corearea ImprovementProjectArea
Social

 36

Education #ofadulteducationhigh
schoolequivalencydiplomas
granted
%ofgrade3students level3("B"grade)isprovincialstandard,level4is
performingatlevels3and4 "A"

Personalhealth& #oflowbirthweightbabies
wellbeing bornper1000livebirths
hospitalizationrateforfalls
bypersons65+years
rateofmortalityduetoheart
disease

Communitywell #ofcommunitycontactsat VolunteerHamiltonmakesallvolunteerpositions
beingancapacity volunteerHamilton accessiblethroughtheirwebsite&offices
building
shelteroccupancyrate"on #ofindividualsaccessingsheltersononenightin
anygivennight"inNovember November,collectedbysocialplanning&
researchcouncil(capturesshelteroccupancy&#
ofbedsavailable)
SafetyandSecurity #ofrobberies theftsinvolvingphysicalviolenceorthreatof
violenceortheftwhilearmed
#ofpedestriansandcyclists
injuredbymotorvehicles

CityofGuelphStateofSustainabilityReport,2ndEdition1998to2001

GreenPlanwebsite
http://guelph.ca/living.cfm?smocid=1948

GuelphsGreenPlanwaspreparedfrom19921994andservedasthefirststepinastrategicplanning
processtofulfillthecitysvisionofenvironmentalsustainabilityinharmonywitheconomicandsocial
development.Whentheplanwasadopted,councilrequiredthataStateofSustainabilityReport(SOSR)
bepreparedevery3years;the1998to2001SOSRisthemostrecentavailable.

TheSOSRcoversenvironmental,socialandeconomicindicatorsofthecommunityandrelatesthemto
thelongandshorttermgoalsoutlinedintheGreenPlan.Itisrecognizedthatthejudgementsof
makingprogress,needsimprovement,andhardtosaycanmakeitdifficulttogetasingle,all
inclusiveresult.Despitethis,theindicatorsareusefulinillustratingtrendsovertimeandidentifying
potentialfuturestresses.

Thesustainabilityindicatorsbeingusedhavebeenupdatedonce,in2001,sincetheirselectionin
1996/1997.Thisreviewprocessinvolvedasurveyofalldataprovidersinordertogathertheirviewson
thecurrentdatasmeaningfulness.Fromthisprocess,anumberofnewindicatorswereincludedwhile
otherswereremovedforfuturereports;thisiterationisdocumentedinthe1998to2001SOSR.Inthe


latestSOSR,itisrecognizedthatthecurrentindicatorsneedtobeupdatedagaininordertoremain
relevanttothecommunityandtoincludenewdataasitbecomesavailable.
Category Indicators
Environment
Landuseand openspaceandnatural "naturalopenspace"=provincially
development corridors(ha/1000ppl)
ecologicalsensitivity&habitat basedonannualChristmasBirdcount;7
protection
landmanagement
balanceddevelopment
Integratedtransportation automobiletravel
transitridership
Waterconservation groundwaterquality
waterconsumption
37
Notes
significantwetlandsandnaturalheritage
features&"parkopenspaceandfacilities"
=parkfacilities&misc.(golfcourses,
cemeteriesetc.)
dayswherebirdwatcherscountthe#of
speciesseenina12kmradiusinthesouth
endofthecity(NB:shouldbereplaced
duetoinaccuracyofdata;weather,skill&
#ofobserversetc.)
basedonthe"CommunityinBlooms
Competition"thecityhasparticipatedin
since1996;judgesrankcommunities
basedonobservations&interviewswith
residentsandstaff(8criteria)
measuresrelativesizeofproperty
assessmentfortaxationintheresidential
&commercialpropertiesbasedon
provincialparametersusedtojudge
whetherlocaleconomicstructureis
appropriatetoprovidemunicipalservices;
60:40foundtogeneratesufficient
revenues&meettheneedsofallsectors
formunicipallysupportedinfrastructure&
services
proportionoftripsmadebyresidentsby
carandbyothermodesasa%ofall
journeys
provincialbenchmark(NB:alarge#of
universitystudentsusingtransitskews
data)
3of23wellsareselectedtomeasure
generalqualitypriortotreatment&
distribution
measuresresidential,commercial&heavy
industrialmeteredaccounts


watersupplyreservecapacity MinistryofEnvironmentrequirescityto
impactonthespeedriver 2measures:qualityofeffluentdischarge
surfacewaterquality
Energyconservation energyconsumption
Wasteandresource wastereduction&hazardous
management waste
Outdoorairquality ozoneandgreenhousegas
emissions
Culture
arts&heritagecultural basedon#ofclubsorganizedbystudents
development
Economic
Employmenttrends labourforceinemployment %ofresidentsover15yrswhohavefullor
incomelevel
postsecondaryqualifications
Social
38
estimateuncommittedreservecapacityto
drawwaterfromexistingsources,thisis
setagainstforeseeable/plannedincreases
inpopulation&economicactivity
fromwastewatertreatmentplant&
minimumdissolvedoxygenavailablefor
plant&animallife
measuresphosphorus,salinity,chloride&
netflow
measuresresidential,commercial&
industrialconsumptioninkilowatthour
(kWh)percapita(residential)&
kWh/squaremoffloorspace(commercial
&industrial)
1. residentialwastegeneratedper
person
2. totalsolidwastegeneratedby
sector(residential,industrial,
commercial,institutional)
3. 3.%ofcity'swastestream
diverted
4. householdhazardouswaste
depositedatdepot
1. #ofcriteriaozoneexceedances
2. GHGemissions(CO2equivalents)
3. particulatematterconcentrations
4. hospitaladmittancesduetoair
qualityrelatedillnesses
*somedatanotavailablebutitsnoted
thatitshouldbesoughtfornextreport
inthearts(music,drama,dance,
photography,writingetc)
PTemployment(includingself
employment&unpaidfamily
employment)
universitydegrees,college,onthejob
apprenticeship&otherkindsofformalized
training(spiritualgrowth,aesthetic
development)

 39

Stablehealthyfamilies childrenincareanddomestic
disputes
publicsafetyandsecurity
personalhealth
incidenceoflowbirthweight
infants
fallsamongthoseover65yrs
deathsfromallformsof
cancer
deathsfromheartdisease
Communitycapacity recreationfacilities
building
environmentaleducation
Communitycohesion localgovernment
participation
Communityconcern
1. #ofrobberies/burglaries
2. #offiresinresidentialunits
2measuresused:
potentialyearsoflifelost(PYLL)=yrsoflife
apersonmightpotentiallyhavehadwhich
arelostasaresultofprematuredeath
fromillness
leadingcausesofdeath(LCOD)asa%of
alldeathsthatyear
#ofrecreationalfacilitiesavailabletothe
public
nosystematicmeasurementpossible;
qualitativeassessmentofopportunitiesat
schools
municipalelectionvotingrates
Measuredbydonations&volunteertime
toprogrammesatUnitedWay

TownofMarkham,OntarioMarkham'sGreenprintSustainabilityPlan2011

MarkhamsGreenprintSustainabilityPlan
http://www.markham.ca/wps/wcm/connect/0c98f70047b7a0ae8da6fd81675ea5bc/GreenPrint+FINAL+
Plan_2011_lower+res.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=0c98f70047b7a0ae8da6fd81675ea5bc

MarkhamsGreenprintSustainabilityPlanisa50to100yearoverarchingplanintendedtointegrate
municipalplanninganddecisionmakingwiththetownssustainabilitygoals.Theplanalignsother
initiatives,policiesandplanswiththevisionofasustainableMarkhaminanattempttoreduce
redundancyandmakeuseofefficiencies.

AparticipatoryplanningprocesswasundertakenfromMarch2008tothespringof2011toproducethe
Greenprint.Anumberofworkshops,aworldcafeandopenhousewereheldtoprovideopportunities
forcommunityconsultation.ThepublicreviewedthedraftplaninJune2010.

 40

Theplanisbuiltaroundthreekeypillarsofsustainabilitysociety,economyandenvironmentand
identifies12sustainabilitypriorities,whichrelatetothesepillars.Auniquefeatureofthissustainability
planisthatitcontainsspecificbaselineindicatorstomeasureprogresstowardsthestatedgoals.These
indicatorsareintendedtobereviewedevery2to5years.Theprioritiesandrecommendationsinthe
planaremeanttoundergoapublicreviewevery5years.

Category Indicators Notes

Environment
Foodsecurity amountoffarmedland
(ha)
#ofcommunitygarden
plotsandcommunity
kitchens
foodbankusage
retailfoodenvironment ratiodescribingrelativeabundanceofdifferent
index typesofretailfoodoutletsinagivenarea
(dividetotal#ofgrocerystores&farmers'
marketsintheareabythe#of"unhealthy"food
outlets)
Access&mobility modeoftraveltowork
#ofinternalMarkham *Markhamhastraditionallyfunctionedasa
trips bedroomcommunityforToronto;mostwork
basedtripsoriginateinMarkhambutleave,
boundforToronto(thismeasureindicateshow
manyresidentsliveandworkinMarkham)
modechoicetodowntown
Toronto
#oftransittripspercapita *dataforthcoming
%ofactivecyclists
Waterefficiency waterconsumptionper
capita(L)
costofwater *indicator&datasourceforthcoming

Ecosystemintegrity extent&qualityof measuresseminaturaltocompletelynatural

vegetatedlandscape(ha) cover,areaswithvegetation(cultivated,
altered,manicuredcover)&vegetatedareas
(forests,woodlots,wetlands,lakes,agricultural
areas,rivers,playingfields,parks,developed
urbanareas)
amountofnetworked Markham'sNaturalHeritageNetworkidentifies
naturalhabitats& thesefeatures
ecosystems
amountofeffective EIA=impervioussurfacessuchasroofs&roads
imperviousarea(EIA) whichhinderwaterfromfilteringthrough
groundtorechargestreams/notmeasuredthis
reportingperiod,noknowndatabases

 41

urbancanopy notmeasuredthisreportingperiod,noknown
databases
Energy&climate amountofemissionsby
sector
energyconsumptionby
fuelsource
totalamountofmoney *performanceforthcoming
spentonenergy
amountofenergy *performanceforthcoming
producedbyfuelsource
amountofmoneyearned *performanceforthcoming
fromenergyproduction
inventoryofvulnerabilities *anticipatedclimatechangeimpactsonlocal
associatedwithchanging community
climate
Materialsmanagement landfilldiversionrate
amountofwaste
generatedpercapita
Culture
IdentityandCulture mosaicindex measures#offoreignborncitizens(indicatorof
openness&diversity)
representationofdiversity measuresvisibleminorities
onCouncil,Committees,
andBoards
#ofmajorcultural
establishments
talent&bohemianindices talentindex:%ofpopulationwithauniversity
certificate,diplomaordegree(orhigher)
bohemianindex:compares%of"bohemians"
(writers,designers,musicians,actors&other
artsrelatedpersonnel)inaregiontonational
pattern;ameasureofanarea'scultural
amenities&levelofdiversity
Economic
Education&skills residentemploymentby mainsectorsthatemployresidentsindicatethe
sector knowledge&skillsthatareimportantto
developtobenefitresidentsintheircurrent
work&revealopportunitiestodevelop
additionalsectors
Economicvibrancy #ofbusinesses *dataforthcomingcanusebusinesslicense
undertakingpublic systemtogetthisinformation
sustainabilityreporting/
areGreenprintpartners
annual#ofnew
businessesestablished

 42

#ofbusinessesthathave measuresbusinessretention
beeninthecityformore
than5years
businesssectordiversity *noteinplan=ifdiversebusinesstypes
index representingvaluechainareclassedaspartofa
singlesector,thenlackofsectordiversitycould
beinterpretedasregional
specialization/clusteringsuccess
businesssizediversity calculatedusingSimpson'sDiversityIndex(1=
index infinitediversity,0=nodiversity)
Social
Individualhealth rateofresidentswith
diabetesandrespiratory
disease
rateofadultobesity
lifeexpectancy considerbothtraditionallifeexpectancy&
DisabilityFreeLifeExpectancy(represents
average#ofyrsapersoncanexpecttolivein
goodhealth)
Community participationcountsat "peoplecounts"talliesattendancebutdoesnot
involvement townrecreationfacilities consideractivityundertakenduringvisit
Shelter housingtypediversity measuredonscaleof01(0=nodiversity,1=high
index diversity)
housingtenurediversity measuredonscaleof01(0=nodiversity,1=high
index diversity)
householdspayingmore measureofaffordability;definedasspending
than30%onhousing lessthan30%ofhouseholdincomeonhousing
costs
#ofhouseholdsincore "coreneed"=housingthatisinneedofmajor
needhousing repair,doesnothaveenoughbedroomsforthe
size&makeupofhousehold,costs30%+of
totalhouseholdincome
#ofresidentsatriskof thresholdforbeingatriskarehouseholds
homelessness spendingmorethan50%oftotalhousehold
incomeonhousing
Socialequity #oflowincome measuredusingaftertaxLowIncomeCutOff
households&persons (LICO)
%ofchildpoverty measuredasafunctionofhouseholdincome&
(residents18yrsand spending(preparedbyChildren'sAidSociety)
under)
#oflowincomeseniors measuredusingaftertaxLowIncomeCutOff
(LICO)forpersonsover65yrs
youthparticipationin #ofyouthregisteredinTownprogramsthough
programs potentialtoextendtootherprograms
#ofpersonswith unmeasuredasofyet,noknowdatabasesin
disabilities Markham

 43

senseofcommunityindex measuredusingasurvey(qualitativequestions)
feelingofbelonging,commitmenttomeet
needsetc.
Education&skills #ofpeoplewithout
knowledgeofEnglishor
French
localunemploymentrate
#oflibraryvisits
%ofpayrollsupporting *dataforthcoming
employeedevelopment

NiagaraRegion

TheNiagaraRegionunliketheotherexamplesinthecasestudiesiscomprisedofseveralcitiesand
townsthathaveuniquecharacteristicsdefiningtheirgeographies.Theyareunifiedinthedesireto
developamoresustainableframeworkforurbandevelopment.Niagara2031andSustainableNiagara
wereconstructedusingSmartGrowthandtheMelbournePrinciples.Theresulthasbeenaplanthat
servicestheneedsofthecommunitiesthatmakeuptheNiagaraRegionbybuildingmorecomplete
communities.

Thewebsiteaddressprovidesasummaryoftheindicatorsandtheirrelationshiptothegoalsandthe
progressmadetodate.http://www.niagararegion.ca/government/planning/Sustainability/measuring
progress.aspx#ind1

Indicators Goals Notes

Environment
SpeciesAbundance InfrastructureSystems Evaluatesoverallhealthof
Culture,Learning,Social ecosystemsandlooksatstormwater
Development managementtoreduceneedforbuilt
Ecosystems&NaturalAreas infrastructure.Currentlythereisa
Economy needtoworkwithconservation
Agriculture&Food authoritiesandcommunitygroupsfor
treeplanting

CommutingDistanceor InfrastructureSystems Focusesondistancestraveledto

PublicTransitAccess Health&Security workviatransitorpersonalvehicleto
BuiltEnvironments determineaccessibilityofamenities
Economy andrelianceonpersonalvehicles.
Needtoworktowardsmixeduseand
transitorientedcommunitiesanda
sustainablemobilityplan

 44

Walkability InfrastructureSystems Accessibilityofamenitieswithinin

Health&Security tenminutewalk,thisisalsoan
BuiltEnvironments indicatorofphysicalhealth.
Culture,LearningandSocial Currentlytheregionistowards
Development mappingtrailsandpathsto
amenities.
GreenhouseGasEmissions InfrastructureSystems Measuresimpactoftransportation,
Health&Security builtform,wasteandwateronthe
Ecosystems&NaturalAreas environment,andindirectlymeasures
BuiltEnvironments energyconsumption.Currently
Agriculture&Food workingtoimplement
Culture
Fundingfor InfrastructureSystems Indicatestheinvestmentinsocial
Culture/Recreation Culture,Learning&Social infrastructure,commitmentto
Development learningandsocialdevelopment.
Governance Currentlydevelopingprogramsthat
Economy highlightlocalculture,heritageand
amenities
ConnectiontoCommunity InfrastructureSystems Surveyresidentstoassesstheability
Culture,Learning&Social ofhowthecommunitiesmeetneeds
Development intheregion.Currentlydevelopinga
Health&Security databaseofresources
Governance
Economic
TotalGrossFarmReceipts Agriculture&Food
EconomicDiversity Health&Security Determinesthecompositionofthe
Economy economybysector.Currently
BuiltEnvironment workingtoidentifypossible
Governance partnershipsthatsupporttradeand
Agriculture&Food investment,increasefinancingfor
businesses,andsupporttechnology
LivingWage InfrastructureSystems Measurestheadequacyofincometo
Health&Security meetbasicneeds.Currently
Governance developinganindexoflivingwagein
Economy relationtoinflation.
AgricultureandFood
Social
NumberofPostSecondary Culture,Learning&Social Indicatestheabilitytoprovideskilled
Certificates Development employeesthatwillproduceadiverse
Health&Security economy.Currentlylookingtowards
Governance strengthenthelinkagesbetween
Economy educationandemployment
Infrastructuresystem

 45

FoodSecurity InfrastructureSystems Sustainabilityoffoodsystemis

Health&Security indicatedbythecostsofpurchasing
Economy foodandtheamountproduced
Ecosystems&NaturalAreas locally.Currentlyworkingtowards
BuiltEnvironments communitygardensandgrowing
Agriculture&Food locally
AccesstoHealthyFood Health&Security Compareshouseholdincomeand
Economy accesstohealthyfood.Currently
Ecosystems lookingatmeanstoimproveaccess
Governance tohealthyfoodswherenecessary,i.e.
Agriculture&Food foodbanks
PhysicalandMentalHealth InfrastructureSystems Providesadirectmeasureofphysical
Culture,Learning& andmentalhealthinthecommunity
Social.Development andindirectlymeasuresaccessto
Health&Security healthfoodandphysicalactivity.
Economy Currentlyworkingtodevelop
Ecosystems additionalindicatorswithPublic
BuiltEnvironment Healthprofessionals.
Physical

Montreal

MontrealBilan2008
www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/developpementdurable

Thereportusedinthisappendixaddressestheyear2008ofthefirstsustainabilityplan20072009for
thecityofMontreal,(thesecondisfor2010to2015).Thereare4priorityareasoftheplan:

ImprovethequalityofairandreducetheemissionofGHGs
Insurethebestqualityoflifeforallcitizens
Practiceresponsibleresourcemanagement
Adoptbestpracticesofsustainability

Aspartoftheprocessofevaluatingsuccesstowardsitsgoalstheplanismonitoredyearlyandthe
resultsarereported.ThusthisreportpresentstheCitysprogresstowardsits2009targetsbasedon
successesin2007and2008.ThehallmarkofMontrealssustainabilitystrategyisthecommitmentto
continuallymonitoringandevaluatingprogresstowardstargets,andassessingthesuccessofindicators,
thenadjustingaccordingly.Thetablebelowsummarizestheactionsandindicatorsprioritizedbythe
cityandtheprogressineachin2007and2008.

Action Indicator Notes

Environment

 46

Eliminaterelianceon Numberofpartnersengaging Resultsavailablefor2007and2008

commercialvehicleuse inactivitiesthateliminate
relianceoncommercial
vehicles
Reduceparkingspacesinthe Numberofoutsideparking Resultsavailablefor2007and2008
centre stationseliminatedinthe
VilleMarieNeighbourhood
Minimizethecirculationof Numberofpilotinterventions Implementationbeganin2008
carsaroundtheMontRoyal ineffect

Accumulationofinfrastructure Numberofpartnersthat Resultsavailablefor2007and2008
forbikeuse installnewsupportsfor
bicycles
Numberofnewinfrastructure
NumberofKMsofbikelanes
Favourthedevelopmentof Numberoflocalgovernments Resultsavailablefor2007and2008
carpooling thatimplementmeasures
favouringcarpooling
Implementmeasuresthat Numberofpartnersthat Resultsavailablefor2007and2008,
favourdurabletransportation adheretoALLEGO workisbeingdoneontransportation
atworkplaces(public Numberofpartnersthat fromhomeandreplacementof
transport,carpooling,biking followALLEGO transportation.
andwalking) Evolutionofmodesof
transportationfromhometo
workreplacementofpublic
transportation(COSTS)???
Putintoworkmeasuresthat Numberofprojectsthat Resultsavailablefor2007and2008
reduceGHGemissions reduceGHGemissions
throughpartnerships
Numberofpartnersinaplan
forreducingGHGemissions
RateofreductionforGHG
emissions
Continuetogogreenin Numberofpartnershipswith Resultsavailablefor2007and2008
selectionofmaterials greenmaterial
Implementacompensation Numberofpartners Resultsavailablefor2007and2008
mechanismforreplacementto participatingincarbonneutral
carbonneutral program
Numberofreplacements
compensated
NumberoftonesofCO2
reduced
Multiplythepointsofcontact Numberofnewpointsof Intheprocessofbeingdeveloped
withwater contactwithwater
Reducethepresenceofurban Numberandamplificationof Intheprocessofbeingdeveloped
heatislands projectstoreduceurbanheat
Numberofpartnersengaged
inreducingtheeffectsurban

 47

Elaborateonthewaste
managementplan
Cultural
NONEDEVELOPED
Economic
Stimulatethedevelopmentof
urbanagriculture
Social
Favourenvironmentswhere
thereisahighqualityoflife, participatinginactivitiesto
calmandpleasure
Consolidateandmultiplythe
21neighbourhoodprojects
heatislands
Undertakepublicconsultation Intheprocessofbeingdeveloped
ontheproposedplan
Adopttheplan
Presentoptionsfor
eliminationofwaste
Numberofcommunity Resultsavailablefor2007and2008
gardensinderelictareas
Enhancementofunderused
areasforurbanagriculture
Numberofpartners Resultsavailablefor2007and2008
improvelife
Numberofmeasuresto
reducenoisepollution
Numberoflocalprojectsput Resultsavailablefor2007and2008
towork
Numberofpartners
collaborating
Putintoaplaceaprocessfor
bestpractices

Cochrane

TheCochraneSustainabilityPlan
http://www.cochrane.ca/municipal/toc/webcms.nsf/AllDoc/60648B1F6BBF5F90872574880073C6B8?O
penDocument

TheTownofCochrane,Alberta(www.cochrane.ca)developedtheirCochraneSustainabilityPlanstarting
in2008withan11monthlongvisioningprocessthatwasfocusedoncitizenengagement.Citizenswere
askedthefollowingquestions:

WhatdoyouvalueaboutCochrane?
Whatchangeswouldyoumostliketosee?
WhatareyourhopesanddreamsforCochraneinthenext50years?
Howcanyouhelpmakethishappen?

Thechoiceofthesequestionswasguidedbythedesiretocreateacommunitythroughashared
experience.Therewerekeyparametersestablishedtoguidetheprocess:createacommunityledand
ownedplan,cocreatetheplantoensurelongtermsustainability,usealongtermlens(planforatleast
2generations,50yearsinthefuture),committoacleartimeline,useasystemsapproachtolookatthe

 48

whole,buildonexistingassets,andpromotecontinuousimprovement,thisisthecontinualmonitoring
andevaluationoftheplanssuccessesandneedsforadaptation.

RootedinsystemstheorytheCochraneSustainabilityPlanisfocusedonthelongtermandtherefore
looksforconnections.Theplanhasidentified6interconnectedcommunitysystemsthatarerelevantto
Cochraneandplaykeyrolesinthecommunity:culture,social,naturalenvironment,economic,built
environment,andgovernance.Basedontheidentifiedsystems6actiongroupswerecreatedtoengage
inanintensive6monthprocesstovisionCochraneinthelongterm.The6ActionGroupswere:

BuiltEnvironmentActionGroup
CultureActiongroup
EconomicActionGroup
GovernanceActionGroup
NaturalEnvironmentActionGroup
SocialActionGroup

TheroleoftheActionGroupswasto:

Identifyexistingassets
Reviewkeytrends
DevelopDescriptionsofSuccess(akaScenarioPlanning)
EstablishCommunityTargets
Identifyactions

Theendresultwasanimplementationframeworkthatisacontinuousworkinprogress.Theframework
isbasedongoalofbeingabletocontinuouslylearn,improveandadjust.Inordertoachievethatthe
frameworkssetsout:tobeinclusive,togrowthecapacityofthecommunity,toempowerthe
community,tobuildthecommunityssenseofownership,tobuildpositiverelationships,andtobuilding
onexistingassets.

Fromthis13PathwaystotheFutureweredevelopedtoenvisionCochraneto2059.ThePathways
consistofadescriptionofsuccess,thecurrentrealitiesandthetargets.The13Pathwaysareasfollows:

Pathway Indicators Notes

Environment
Wetreatwaterasaprecious Waterreuse,greywater, Cochraneisameteredcommunity
resource waterefficientappliances, withathreetierwaterratesystem,
watersavingtechnologies toiletrebateprogramwaterusefell
WatershedManagement by27%from204L/personin2004to
PlanningInitiativesProvincial 150L/person.
WaterforLifeStrategy,Water 2029decreasebyanadditional15%
infrastructuresystemand (percapita)
conservationinitiatives

 49

Weuseenergyresponsibly Energyinfrastructureis 202930%ofenergyfromlow

andinnovatively sufficientlyfundedtoenable impactrenewablesources,percapita
thesealternativesystemsto energyusedecreaseby30%from
continuallyevolveand 2009levels
improveuponexisting
systems.Resultinginreduced
energyconsumptionand
increaseduseofalternative
energy(geothermal,solar,
windpower)

Wecontributetothesolution Individualsandbusinesses By2029communityGHGdecreased
onclimatechange activelychoosetoreducetheir by30%from2009levelsthrough
negativeimpactsonclimate theseactivitiesandobjectives.
(i.e.walk,cycletoachieve
daytodayactivities).
PublicTransportationSystem
thatconnectsCochraneto
itselfandtotheregionisin
place.
WasteManagementreduced
garbage,recyclingincreases.
Treeplantingtofacilitate
carboncapture

Whereveryouarein Thenumberofpeopleableto 2059,densityonthe2009footprint
Cochrane,yourecloseand live,workandplayina willincreaseby25%;202950%of
connected compactcommunity populationwithin400mor5min
increases.Neighborsknow walkofatransitstop;2029100%of
oneanother,andallagesof populationwithin400mofpublic
residentsareinvolvedand openspace
interactingwithoneanother Currentlyworkingtoimprove
connectivityandpathways,and
reducegapsovertime.

Therearediverseoptionfor Residentsdontneedtouse 2029completeinterconnectedmode
gettingaround automobiles,diverse andcorridornetworkthroughout
transportationoptions Cochraneanditsregionthatis
availablethatareefficient, accessibletothefullrangeof
accessible,affordableand vehicularandnonvehicularuse/users
safe;backboneisatransithub NOPT,haveafewprivatelyrun
inthecentreofCochrane. transitoperators;thereisapathway
systemforpedestriansandcyclists
Culture

 50

WebuildCochraneonthe Strongsenseofcommunity 2020naturalareasandhabitatare

strengthsofournaturaland prideandidentity:Wehonor maintainedorincreased(nonumbers
culturalheritage ourheritage,respecttheland, given);Valuesofwesternheritage
protectandpreserveour andmeetingneedsofcurrently
cultureandhistorytosustain realityofAgriculturalsectorreflected
forfuturegenerations indevelopment,planningand
Proudofwesternand decisionmakingprocesses
ranchingheritageandnatural
landscapes

Everyonehasanopportunity Peoplefeelconnected 2029increaseinthenumberofmulti
topursetheirpotentialin throughasenseofprideand usefacilities(nonumbergiven)
Cochrane belongingandareinspiredto 2029thenumberofbusinessesin
pursetheirpotential Cochraneacrossallsectorsincreases
Arts,programs,supportsand by50%
events,recreation,community
meetingplaces,learning

Weareacaringcommunity Increasedcommunity 2019,everycommunityrepresented
thatlivesandcelebrates inclusion,everyonesharesin byacommunityassociation.
together. thecommunityspast,its 202920%increaseinattendanceat
naturalbeauty,increased allCochraneeventsandcelebrations
opportunitiestogettoknow 98%ofresidentscurrentlysaytheir
theirneighborsandcontinued qualityoflifeisgood,passionate
safetyofthecommunity. abouttheirtown
Maintainedandimproved
qualityoflifebyrespondingto
requestsofcitizens

Economy
Weconsumethebountyof Opportunitiesforwork,play 2029increaselocalfood
ourlocaleconomy andahighqualityoflifeare consumptionandlocalgoods&
providedforall. servicesby50%
Increaseinresidentsshopping
locallyandusinglocalgoods
andserviceswhenever
feasible

Ourlocaleconomyishealthy EconomicDiversity2005 2029increasenumberof
anddiverse CochraneEconomicBase businessesacrossallsectorsby50%
Analysis36companies;
servicesoffereddiversify,
tourismincreases,housing
optionssupportemployment
baseandgrowthenumberof
greenbusinesses.

Social

 51

Everyonehasaroofover Balancedinventoryof 2029avarietyoftenureandhousing

theirhead
Theresenoughroomfor Localfoodproduction,
everythingacommunity
shouldhave
Weareasociallyresponsible 2013Voterturnout50%,
andempoweredcommunity
residential,nonresidential typesonthemarket(rental,own,
andopenspacefosters renttoown,attainablehousing)
diversityinlanduseand Housingchallenges2009Cochrane
supportsaffordablehousing AffordableHousingNeeds
choices;Residentsbasicneeds AssessmentUpdate,reportsthat
aremetfromaffluentto housingaffordabilityappearstobe
youngpopulation,etc; improving,butnotforrenters
2039,municipaltaxrevenuesare60%
diversityofeducationaland residential/40%nonresidentialwith
careerchoices,transitoptions, 100%environmentallysensitiveareas
landuseisbalanced;open protected
spaceandnaturalsystems Landisexpensiveandunderutilized;
supporthealthyecosystems imbalanced;currentlythereare
andareaccessibletoresidents provincialandregionallanduseplans
beingdevelopedtoguide
communitiestowardadequate
planningforgrowth
CurrentlyVoterturnoutaround
202065%,203080%,2019 40%in2007,68%ofthepopulation
increaseparticipationinCSP volunteers,Foodbankdistributions
by500%,2029increase aredecreasing,Familyand
volunteerhoursand CommunitySupportservices
charitabledonationsby20% Programsenrollmentishigh

WhistlerWhistler2020Plan

TheWhislter2020Plan
http://www.whistler2020.ca/whistler/site/homepage.acds?instanceid=1930792&context=1930501

TheResortMunicipalityofWhistlerembarkedonthedevelopmentofitsICSPinresponsetothe
demandforgrowthmanagement.Movingfromasmallskitowntoaresortcommunitythathasbecome
apremiertraveldestinationhasplacedsignificantdemandsonWhistleranddemandsfromresidentsto
guaranteethepreservationofthenaturalenvironment.Asacommunitythatislimitedinitscapacityfor
growthdevelopinganICSPthatwouldaccountforthiswasimperativetheresultwasthedevelopment
ofacomprehensivecommunitydevelopmentplan(CDP)entitledWhister2020.BuildinguponWhistler
2002,Whistler2020isasharedvision,strategicplanandprocessdevelopedtoguaranteethecontinued
successofthecommunitythroughto2020.AsitisacommunityplanthevisionofWhistler2020istobe
whatWhistleraspirestobe,acommunitythatmeetstheneedsofbothresidentsandvisitorsina
sustainablemanner.TheMunicipalityisuniqueastheeconomyissolelydependentupontourism.
LimitingtheeconomyisaconsciouschoicetiedtothebrandingofWhistlerasapremierresort.
Sustainabledevelopmentmustworkwithintheconfinesofthiseconomyandpayspecialattentionto
thisdemand.Whistler2020isademonstrationofplacebasedpolicy/planninginpracticethatrespects

 52

communityidentityandneed.Theplanwasdevelopedin4phases:

1.Developmentoffactorsforsuccess
2.Explorationandassessmentof5alternativefuturesrelatedtosustainability
3.Craftingofablendedfuturedraftstrategicplan
4.CompletionofdraftplannamedWhister2020MovingTowardaSustainableFuture.

Thekeytakeawaypointfromthephasesofdevelopmentwastheimportanceofpublicengagementin
achievingsuccess.

TheguidingforcesbehindthedevelopmentofWhistler2020werelocalvaluesandtheNaturalStep
SustainabilityObjectivesGuideforvisioning,planning,decisionsandactions.VisioningWhistlerin2020
focusesstrategicplansandtheactionsnecessarytoachieveWhislter2020.Thereare16strategieslinked
tosignificantaspectsrelatedtotheoperationoftheresortinparticulartherearefivepriorityareasthat
havebeenidentified.Communitytaskforcesforeachstrategyhavebeenformedtodefineanddescribe
successin2020.Associatedwitheachstrategyareselectindicatorsthatmeasurethesuccessofthe
strategiesbasedonthedescriptions.Theinterconnectivitybetweenthepriorities,strategiesand
indicatorsdemonstratesthecomprehensivenatureoftheplananditsrootsinrealism.Whistler2020
setsouttoaddresstheglobalandlocalchallengesthathavehighlightedtheincreasingneedforan
overarchingsustainabilitybasedapproachtolongtermplanninginasystematicmanner.

The16strategiesthathavebeenidentifiedintheWhister2020planandtheirindicatorsareasfollows:

Category Indicators Notes

Environment
2.BuiltEnvironment Dwellingdensity,
developmentfootprint,
housinglivability,services
proximity,Whistler
atmosphere
4.Energy Renewableenergy,energy
uses.Renewablefuel,
greenhousegasemissions,
regionalAirQuality
Total#ofdwellingsina
subdivision/totalofallzoned
developableareas;Sumtheareaofall
zonedparcellayersandomitthe
followingzones;Totalthedistance
fromeachparceltothenearest
convenienceservicenode,report
average;"Whatisyourlevelof
satisfactionwithyourstayinWhistler
asregardstothefollowing:
atmosphereandambiance."Scaled
response
Sumallenergysourceinputsatthe
pointofgenerationoruse(thermal
plant,hydrosite,gasstoveetc.);Sum
allGHGemissionsfromenergysources
inputintothestationaryenergy
systematthegeneration(thermal
plant,gasstoveetc.)phaseandadd
emissionsfromfleetvehicles,
transportationwithinWhistlerand
Whistler'ssolidwaste;Totalhours

 53

whereairqualitywasbelowgood.

8.MaterialsandSolidWaste LandfilledWaste,Material Totalweightofallmaterialsreceived

Use,WasteDiversion, atlandfill;Sumweightofsolid
HazardousMaterials materialscollectedbywasteservice
providers;Weightofallwaste
materialsdivertedfromlandfill/total
weightofwastematerial;weightof
householdhazardousmaterials
collectedinyellowstewardshipbins/
totalamountofhazardouswaste
estimatedtobesenttothelandfill
9.NaturalAreas SensitiveAreaFootPrint, TotalHachangestopermanent
SpeciesatRisk,Development wetlands,oldgrowthandmature
Footprint,StreamHealth, forests,forestedfloodplainsand
LengthofRoads riparianecosystems;countthe
numberofSquamishDistrictblueand
redlistedspecies
14.Transportation LocalTransportation Responseto"Overallhowsatisfiedare
Satisfaction,commuting youwiththetransportation
mode,visitortransport,transit alternativestoprivatevehiclesthat
proximity,Localairquality areavailableinWhistler?";"What
modeoftransportationdoyoutendto
usemostoftentotraveltoandfrom
workinWhistler?"
16.Water Wateruse,Drinkingwater TotalwaterflowsenteringallRMOW
quality,watereffluentquality, watertreatmentplantsandtheflows
StreamHealth usednonpotableuses;Determinethe
hoursofreducedservicedueto
infrastructurebreaksandboilwater
advisories,andmultiplytheresultby
thenumberofdwellingsaffected;
Countthenumberofdayswhereat
leastoneoftheenvironmental
measuresisoverthepermittedlicense
level
Culture
1.Arts,CultureandHeritage Cultureparticipation,Culture Numberofactivitiesparticipatedin
opportunities,Culture duringvisit;Responsestoquestion:
satisfaction "Howsatisfiedareyouwiththe
selectionofarts,cultureandheritage
offeringsinWhistler?"Count
responsesfor'somewhat'or'very
satisfied'thendividebythetotal
numberofresponses;
11.RecreationandLeisure RecreationOpportunities, ResponsetoHowsatisfiedareyou
RecreationParticipation, withopportunitiesforphysical
RecreationSatisfaction,Park recreationinWhistler?;"Howoften

 54

Availability,InjuriesTreated
doyouparticipateinphysical
recreationbasedactivitiesonweekly
basis?"sumthenumbermorethan3
timesperweek/total;"Whatisyour
levelofsatisfactionwithyourstayin
Whistlerasregardstothefollowing:
TheQualityandDiversityof
Activities?"5pointscale.
15.Visitorexperience WhistlerAtmosphere,Visitor ResponsetoAgain,onascaleof15,
Satisfaction,Intentionto whatisyouroveralllevelof
Recommend,Recreation satisfactionwithyourstayat
Satisfaction,lengthofstay Whistler?
Economic
3.Economic Businesslicenses,fulltime #Ofnewbusinesslicenses,renewed
employees,roomssold, businesslicensesandclosedbusiness
occupancyrate,visitor licenses;Employerswereasked,"How
number manytotalemployees,including
management/owners,didyour
businesshaveduringthelastwinter
season?"and"Howmanyhoursa
weekonaveragedideachparttime
employeework?"Sumparttime
employeesintofulltimeequivalents
andaddtototalnumberoffulltime
employees;75%ofaccommodations
sampledfornumberofnightssold;
5.Finance FinancialReserves,Municipal SumofReserves;Sumofvarious
RevenueMix,Economic revenuestreams,reportontotaland
DependencyRatio,Occupancy mix
Rate

12.ResidentAffordability Costtoincome,singleliving Totalcostofindividualbasketitems

income,familylivingincome,
incomebelowcosts,housing
affordability
Social
6.HealthandSocial Healthstatus,Volunteer ResponsestoThinkingofyour
Rates,SenseofBelonging,
LengthofTenure,Resident
Satisfaction
vs.medianincomereportedfrom
previousyear;Sumthevariouscosts
ofaindividual/familybasketofgoods,
adjusttogrosscompensationrequired
toaffordthatbasketofgoods,and
dividebythenumberoffulltimepaid
workhours(2080);
physical,mentalandsocialwellbeing,
ingeneral,howwouldyourateyour
health?;"Inthepast12monthsdid
youdoanyunpaidvoluntaryworkfor
anyorganizationorgroupinWhistler?
Andonaveragehowmanyhoursper
month?"#ofthosewhovolunteeredat


7.Learning Educationattainment,
learningopportunities,child
development,decisioninput
10.Partnerships InformationQuality,Decision ResponsetoThinkingaboutaccuracy,
Input,VoterTurnout,Decision timelinessandcompletenessof
Trust,Partnerships
13.ResidentHousing Restrictedhousing,resident Numberofdwellingswithrestrictive
ownership,housing
affordability,localworkforce, familyincome;"Howmanyofyour
restrictedwaittime
55
leastonehourpermonth/total
numberofrespondents;"Howwould
youdescribeyoursenseofbelonging
toyourlocalcommunity,Whistler?";
"Approximatelyhowmanyyearshave
you[livedasayearroundresidentin
Whistler(Permanentresidents),come
tostayinWhistlerforaseason
(Seasonalresidents),orowned
property(Secondhomeowners)]in
Whistler?";"Overallhowsatisfiedare
youwithWhistlerasaplacetolive?"
Countthoseverysatisfiedand
somewhatsatisfiedScaled
Responseto"Whatsthehighestlevel
ofeducationyouhavehadthe
opportunitytocomplete?";How
satisfiedareyouwithyourpersonal
opportunitiesforformallearning
throughschoolsandcollegesand
otherorganizationswithaccredited
coursesinWhistlerandintheSeato
Skycorridor?;#ofvulnerable
Kindergartners/total#of
kindergartners.
informationthatisprovidedabout
decisionsbeingmadeinWhistler,are
youverysatisfied,somewhatsatisfied,
neither,somewhatdissatisfied,very
dissatisfiedwiththequalityof
information?;Howsatisfiedareyou
withtheexistingopportunitiesto
provideyourinputintodecision
makinginWhistler?Scaledquestion;
#ofpeoplewhovotedagainstthose
whoareeligibletovote
covenants;totalhousingcosts/gross
totalemployeesincluding
managementlivedinWhistlerduring
thepastwinterseason?;Numberof
yearsthatwaitlistapplicantswaitto
receiveanopportunitytopurchase
eachunittype.Dividebythetotal
numberofpotentialpurchasersfor

 56

eachunittypeduringtheperiod.

CityofFernieFernieLiveabilityReport2010

TheQualityofLifeIndexandLiveabilityProject
http://www.fernie.ca/siteengine/ActivePage.asp?PageID=345

Ferniesannualliveabilityreports(thefirstwascompletedin2009)areintendedtobuilduponthe
QualityofLifeIndex,whichiscomprisedofindicatorsmostvaluedbythecommunity.The2010Fernie
LiveabilityReportisthemostrecentandwaspreparedbyHalcrowConsultingInc.TheQualityofLife
IndexindicatorsaremeanttomeasureprogresstowardsachievingFerniesOCPVisionofasustainable
populationwhoenjoysaqualityoflifethatisplannedandmanagedinamannercompatiblewiththe
surroundingnaturalenvironment.

TheQualityofLifeIndexwasdevelopedinpartnershipwiththeFernieOCPImplementationCommittee
andrepresentativesofthecommunity.TwoworkshopswereheldinJanuaryandMay2010todefine
whatqualityoflifemeanstoresidents.Asaresultofthisparticipatoryprocess,theindicatorsincluded
intheindexarehighlylocalized.TheLiveabilityReportsetsoutperformanceresultsagainstthe
indicatorslistedintheindexinordertotracktrendsovertime.

ThequalitativedataincludedintheLiveabilityReportisbasedonacommunitysurvey,whichwas
distributedtoresidentsinbothpaperformandanonlineversion.133completesurveyswerereceived,
arelativelylownumber,butdoesserveasastartingpointforassessingresidentattitudes.TheCity
hopestobroadenthenumberofresidentsinvolvedinthenextsurveyandensurecontinuingpublic
participationinthecurrentprocesstoproducethe2011LiveabilityReport.

Category Indicators Notes

Environment
Accessibilityand Modeoftravelforworktrips
transport
Availabilityofalternative
transportationoptions
Disabledaccess
Proportionoftrail&sidewalk
networkwhichisregularly
clearedbytheCity&
communitysatisfactionwith
snowremoval
Naturalenvironment Fernie'sdevelopment
footprint
Types&frequencyoftransitservices&
accesstotraveloptionsotherthanprivate
car
Availability&conditionofsidewalks,
proportionoftheintowntrailnetworkwhich
isuniversallyaccessible
Winteraccessibility
Totaldeveloped&currentlydevelopable
area&protectedareas(openspaces,parks,
watershedprotectionareas,verylowdensity
resourceconservationland)

 57

Totalamountofwaste(liquid
&solid)generatedbyGreater
FernieArea
#Ofwateradvisorydays,
includingwaterboiladvisories
Totalamountofpotable
waterconsumed
Quantityofgreenhouse Measuredasthecarbondioxideequivalent
gassesemitted (CO2e)
Productionoflocalfood Fromconsultationitwasfoundthatcitizens
wantedtomonitorconsumptionoflocally
sourcedfood(orwithin100miles)thisdata
notcurrentlyavailable
Culture
Senseofcommunity& Proportionofresidents *Datafromcommunitysurvey
identity reportingengagementin
culturalactivitieslocally
Levelofsatisfactionwitharts *Datafromcommunitysurvey
&culturalfacilities
Economic
Economic Diversityofthelocaleconomy Occupationoflabourforcebyindustry
development
Medianincomeofresidents Usedasasubstituteforaveragesalarydata
whichisnotavailableforthecity
#Ofnewbusinessformations
&changeinthe#of
registeredbusinesses
Proportionofresidentswho
workinthecity
Social
Demographics Total#ofpeoplepermanently
residinginthecity
Populationstability Proportionofthepopulation(over5yrsold)
whohavelivedinthesamecensussub
divisionforthepast5years
Housing Rateofoccupieddwellings ProportionofdwellingsoccupiedbyFernie
residentsrelativetoproportionofhousing
whichisunoccupied,usedassecondhomes
orvacationproperties
Diversityofhousingoptions
Housingtenure #Ofrentinghouseholdsrelativetothe#of
homeowners
Costofhousingrelativeto
residents'income

 58

Abilitytowalktoamenities Walkscoreisanonlinewalkabilityassessment
fromhome,evaluated tool
throughWalkscore http://www.walkscore.com/

Learningandwellness Secondaryschoolpassrates Proportionofstudentsgraduatinggrade12&

transitioningfromgradetograde
Satisfactionwithlearning& *Datafromcommunitysurvey
educationopportunities
Localavailabilityofhealthcare 1.Totalnumberofmedicalpractitionersin
options Fernie
2.Totalnumberofmedicalpractitionersper
capita
3.#Ofunscheduledemergencydepartment
visitsatElkValleyHospital
4.Averagepercapita#ofvisitsoutsidethe
communityrequiredtoaccessnonspecialist
healthcareservices
Recreation Varietyand#ofrecreational Active,cultural,indoor/outdoorfacilities
facilities
#Ofpeopleusingrecreational Datanotcurrentlyavailable(LeisureServices
&sportingfacilities workingonthecollectionofdata)
Levelofresidentsatisfaction *Datafromcommunitysurvey
withexistingfacilities
Annual#ofvisitorstothecity AdditionalHotelRoomTaxrevenue(2%
appliedtothecostofhotelaccommodation)
providesindicationofannualvariationsin#
ofovernightstaysinregisteredFernievisitor
accommodation
Senseofcommunity Proportionofresidentswho *Datafromcommunitysurvey
&identity reportvolunteering&average
monthlyhoursspenton
volunteeractivities
#Ofresidentswhomake Basedonamountsclaimedfortaxcrediton
donations&mediandonation T1incometaxreturns
value
Prideincommunityandsense *Datafromcommunitysurvey
ofbelonging
#Ofreportedincidentsof
seriouscrimeforevery1,000
peopleforpropertyand
violentcrime
Popsicleindex Proportionofsurveyedresidentswho
considerthatachildinFerniecouldsafely
leavetheirhome,walktotheneareststore
tobuyapopsicleandreturnhome

 59

Vernon

ThemissionoftheCityofVernonwithitsICSPis:Topreserveandenhanceouruniqueenvironmentand
lifestyleonbehalfofthepeopleofVernonthroughtheprovisionofdynamicandaccountableleadership
andeffectivemunicipalservices.Recognitionthatdevelopmentplaysavitalroleinthefutureofany
city,hasledVernontoensurethatcouncil,staffandthecommunityworktogethertoachievethelong
termgoalsandobjectivesofthecommunityforasustainablefuture.Thecityhasdecidedtoimplement
theSmartGrowthDevelopmentChecklisttoadvanceitssustainabilityobjectivesinitsPlanVernonICSP:

EfficientuseofpublicfundsMixedusedevelopment,density,reductionofdemandsfornew
roadsandservices,reducedmaintenancecosts
ProtectopenspaceandnaturalareasPreventurbansprawl,environmentalprotection,
PlacemakingFosterculturethatleadstoavibrantcommunitylifeandcelebrateshistory
AccessibilityCompactmixeduseddevelopmentthatpromotespublictransportation,and
transportationchoices.
Housingchoiceexpansionofhousingchoicesthatconsiderlifestagesandaffordabilityissues
Shortercommutesandmoretransportationchoicesreduceautomobiledependencyand
promotetransportationoptions

Category Indicators Notes

EconomicPolicy Gainsfordirectemployment: Economicpolicyseekstoensure
numberofjobs,typeand adequate,suitablelandisavailable
income. forcommercialandlightindustrialand
agriculturalactivitiestoprovide
expandedopportunitiesfor
employmentandtostrengthenthe
municipaltaxbase.

EnvironmentalPolicy BuiltenvironmentDistance EnvironmentalPolicysetsout:To
tobusstops,trails,greenways, reinforceandenhancethe
cyclingroutes;supportsfor recreationalvalueofthenatural
alternativetransportation environmentwhilepreserving
NaturalEnvironmentGreen environmentallysensitivenatural
spaceandthenatural areas,locationswithoutstanding
environment vistas,andpinemeadows,grasslands
andwetlands.Toparticipatein
regionaleffortstopreserveand
enhancewaterandairqualityby
establishingsuitablestandards

 60

SocialPolicy Housingintermsofprice SocialPolicyentailstheobjectives:To

range,averagepricesper
squarefoot,nonmarket
housingandrentalhousing
providehousingopportunitiestomeet
thechangingneedsofresidentswith
varyinglifestylesandincomelevelsat
allstagesoftheirlives.Toprovide
communityservices,utilitiesandparks
andrecreationalfacilitieswithinthe
financialmeansofthemunicipality.To
continueworkingtowardsenhancing
thesocialwellbeingofresidents,
withintheresourcesandjurisdiction
oftheCityinafacilitative,encouraging
andlobbyingrole.

MetroVancouverMetroVancouverSustainabilityReport2009

SustainableRegionInitiative
http://www.metrovancouver.org/ABOUT/SRI/Pages/default.aspx

MetroVancouverhasbeenproducingRegionalSustainabilityReportssince2002whentheSustainable
RegionalInitiative(SRI)waslaunchedtoformallyplacetheconceptofsustainabilityatthecentreofthe
Regionsoperatingandplanningframeworks.Thisfocushasbeenmaintainedattheregionallevelsince
thenandin2008,theBoardadoptedaSustainabilityFramework,whichoutlinesthesustainability
prioritiesfortheorganization.

The2009SustainabilityReportisbrokendowninto16issueareaswithaccompanyingindicatorsto
assessprogresstowardsbecomingasustainableregion.TheSustainabilityReportsdemonstratestrong
leadershipfromaMetroRegioninpushingfortheintegrationofsustainabilityconsiderationsin
planningprocesses.Thereportsfurtherassistmunicipalitiestoseewheretheirresponsibilitiesfitinto
theoverarchingSRI.

Category Indicators Notes

Environment
Drinkingwater Percapitawateruseduringpeak
summerperiod
Totalcoliformbacteria Measuresqualityofdrinkingwater
Totalpercapitalwater Annuallitresdeliveredperday
consumption
Liquidwaste Levelsofsurfactantsor
methyleneblueactive
substances(MBAS)ineffluentof
LionsGateWWTP


Wastewatertreatmentplant
performancetoexpectations
LevelsofPCBsandPBDEsinthe PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls),
StraitofGeorgia
Netenergyrecoveredfrom
wastewatertreatmentplants
Solidwaste Annualtotalwastegenerated
andrecycled
%Oftotalwastelandfilledand% Disposed:%wastetoenergy&%to
oftotalwastediverted
Annualamountofsolidwaste
generatedpercapita
Annualnetenergyrecovered
fromsolidwasteoperations
%Wastedisposalandrecycling
bysector
Landuseandtransportation Areaofurbanizedland(ha)
Housingcompletionsinmetro
vanregionbytype
Mediancommutedistancein
metroVancouver(km)
Journeytoworkbymodesplit Trackscommutingchoice
Airquality Emissionsofaircontaminants
Dieselparticulatematter
emissionsbysector
Ambientairquality
Climatechange %OfGHGemissionsbysector Motorvehicles,buildings,cement
Changesinannualmeansea
level
Ecologicalhealth Waterqualityandhabitatof
streamswithinMetroVancouver
Changesintheconservation
statusofspeciesintheregion
61
Reducebiochemicaloxygendemand
(BOD)andtotalsuspendedsolids
(TSS)inwastewatereffluent
PBDEs(flameretardants)
landfill
Diverted:%tocomposting,product
stewardship,recycling
%Disposedwaste&%recycledwaste
Measuresincreaseinmultistorey
residentialbuildings(helps
densification)
Measuresnitrogenoxides(NOX),
dieselparticulate&fineparticulate
matter
Measuresemissionsfrom
locomotives,motorvehicles,marine
vessels,nonroadengines
Measureslevelsofozone,
particulates,nitrogendioxide&
sulphurdioxide
plants,energygeneration,landfills,
misc,otherpointsources,aircraft,
marinerail&nonroadequipment
Measuresaffectofstormrunoffin
urbanareas&agriculturaloperations
DatafromBC'sConservationData
Centre

 62

%Ofwetlandswithhighlevelsof
protection
%Areaoftreecanopy
Agriculture Varietyofagriculturalproducts
Totallandfarmed&average
farmsize(ha)
Grossannualfarmreceipts Grossreceipts=beforeexpenses
relatedtofarmingarededucted
Ageoffarmers Indicatorofviabilityoffarming(if
youngpeopleareenteringthesector)
Energy Inventoryofenergyusedby Nonrenewable(gasoline,naturalgas,
sourcetype(terajoules) diesel)&renewable(electricity)
Totalenergyused(terajoules)
Nonindustrialpercapitaenergy
use(gigajoules)
Culture
Arts&Culture #Ofculturalfacilitiesin Performingarts/theatres,art
municipalitieswithpopulations gallery/visualarts,multi
of75,000+ discipline/artscentres,
studio/rehearsal,heritage(including
museums),librarybranches
Total#ofpeopleemployedin
culturalsector&%oflabour
forceemployedinculturalsector
Economic
Financialmanagement Costimpactper"average
household"forliquidwaste
services
Costimpactper"average
household"forsolidwaste
services
Costimpactper"average
household"fordrinkingwater
Costimpactper"average
household"forotherregional
services
Totalregionalexpendituresasa Givesperspectiveonaffordabilityof
%ofmedianhouseholdincome services
inregion
Economy Annualpercentagegrowthin
employment
Unemploymentrate
Medianincome
Educationalattainmentof
population,age2566

 63

Annualcoincidenteconomic CEI=developedbyCentral1Credit
index(CEI) Uniontoprovideasummarymeasure
ofcurrentlevelandvelocityofMetro
Vaneconomy
Rangeofindustriesthatprovide Employmentbyindustrycanshow
employment economicdiversity
Social
Outdoorrecreation Totalareainprovincial,regional
andmunicipalparksinMetro
Vancouver(ha)&#ofhaper
1000residents
Total#ofvisitorstooutdoor
recreationareas
Total#ofvolunteersinregional
parks
Housing RBChousingaffordabilityindex Measuresproportionofhousehold
incomerequiredtocoverthecostof
homeownershipfordifferenthome
typesassuminga25yearmortgage
(condo,townhome,bungalow)
Vacancyratesforpurposebuilt
rentals
#Ofhousingstartsforhome
ownersandrenters
Homelesspopulationsinshelters Every3years,homelessare
orthestreets enumerated(GreaterVancouver
HomelessCount)
PublicHealth Liveexpectancy
Infantmortality
%Oflowincomeindividuals MeasuredbytheLowIncomeCutoff
(beforetax) (LICO)
CommunityEngagement Volunteerratesofresidents15
yrs+
Voterturnoutinmunicipal
elections
Amountofcharitabledonations

 64

APPENDIXBIndicatorExample

TheCanadianEnvironmentalStandardsIndicatorswerepresentedbrieflyinthemainbodyofthepaper.
WhatfollowshereisanexampleofCESIindicator.TheindicatorselectedisAirQuality.Theexample
beginswithadescriptionoftheindicators,howtheyareused,howtheyarecalculatedanddescribethe
limitationsoftheindicator.

2.1Descriptionoftheairqualityindicators

Poorairqualityhassignificantnegativeeffectsonthenaturalenvironment,humanhealth,and
economicandbiologicalproductivity.TheCESIairqualityindicatorstrackgroundlevelozoneandfine
particulatematter(PM2.5)concentrations.Thesepollutantsarekeycomponentsofsmogandaretwo
ofthemostwidespreadairpollutantstowhichpeopleareexposed.

Theairqualityindicatorsarepopulationweightedestimatesbasedonwarmseason(April1to
September30)averageconcentrationsofgroundlevelozoneandPM2.5.Thegroundlevelozone
exposureindicatorisbasedonthehighest8hourdailyaverageconcentrations,whilethePM2.5
exposureindicatorisbasedonthe24houraveragedailyconcentration.

TheCESIairqualityindicatorshavebeendesignedtoapproximatehumanpopulationexposureto
groundlevelozoneandPM2.5overtime.Theyareintendedasageneralindicatortoalertpolicy
analystsanddecisionmakersastowhetherprogresstowardsimprovedairqualityisbeingmadeorif
problemspersist.

OthermethodsexisttomeasuregroundlevelozoneandPM2.5concentrations,oftenwithdifferent
purposesinmindandoftenprovidingdifferentresults.Forexample,theCanadawideStandard(CWS)
forozone,basedonthethreeyearaverageoftheannualfourthhighestdailymaximumeighthour
concentration,isfocusedonreflectingtheeffectsofacute(shortterm)exposuretopeakairpollution.

2.2Howtheairqualityindicatorsareused

TheCESIinitiativeaimstoprovideCanadianswithregularandreliableinformationonthestateof
Canadasenvironmentandtherelatedimpactofhumanactivities.
TheCESIairqualityindicators,groundlevelozoneandPM2.5,areintendedasstate/conditionindicators
toinformpolicyanalysts,decisionmakersandthepublicastowhetherprogressisbeingmadetowards
improvedairquality.

2.3Howtheairqualityindicatorsarecalculated

Groundlevelozone

Calculatingthedailymaximum8houraverageconcentration

Thereare24consecutive8houraverages(8hourrolls)thatcanbepossiblycalculatedforeachday.The
dailymaximum8houraverageconcentrationforagivendayisthehighestofthe24possible8hour
averagescomputedforthatday.SeeTable1foranillustrationofthe8houraverages.

 65

Calculatingthewarmseasonaveragevalue

Thewarmseasonaveragevalueforagivengroundlevelozonemonitoristheaverageofthehighest
dailymaximum8houraverageconcentrationsduringtheperiodfromApril1toSeptember30.
Fineparticulatematter(PM2.5)

Calculatingthe24houraverageconcentration

ThePM2.5indicatoriscalculatedthesamewayasthegroundlevelozoneexposureindicator,butusesa
singleroll,or24houraverageconcentration.AdailyvalueforPM2.5referstothe24houraverage
concentrationofPM2.5measuredfrommidnighttomidnight.

Calculatingthewarmseasonaveragevalue

ThewarmseasonaveragevalueforagivenPM2.5monitoristheaverageofthe24houraveragedaily
concentrationsduringtheperiodfromApril1toSeptember30.

2.3.1DailyAverages

Sincesomeadversehealtheffectsofairpollution(e.g.,cardiovascularandrespiratoryeffects)are
observedevenatlowlevelsofexposure,especiallyforgroundlevelozoneandPM2.5,thecalculationof
eachrespectiveairindicatorisbasedondailyrelativeaverageconcentrationsratherthanondailypeak
concentrations.Overthecourseofthewarmseason,peakconcentrationsarerathersporadic,while
dailyaverageconcentrationsarerelativelymorecommonandhenceabettermeasureofexposure.

2.3.2TimePeriod

TheairqualityindicatorsconsiderdailygroundlevelozoneandPM2.5concentrationsduringthewarm
season(April1September30),whichisalsotheperiodwhenCanadiansaremostactiveoutdoors
(Leechetal.2002).Thesemonthstendtohavemeteorologicalconditionsthatfavourtheformationof
groundlevelozone.Whilefineparticulatematterisaconcerninwinter,currentmonitoringmethods
presentchallengeswithinstrumentvariabilityincoldweather.Omittingthisportionofthedataalso
allowsforbettercomparabilitywiththegroundlevelozonedata.WarmseasonPM2.5dataare,
therefore,usedinthisreleaseofCESIAirQualityandEmissionsIndicators.

2.3.3PopulationWeighting

InthisreleaseofCESI,theairqualityindicatorswerecalculatedusingapopulationweightedapproach,
weightingannualwarmseasonaveragevaluesofmonitoringstationsacrossCanada.Monitoring
stationsarescatteredfromcoasttocoast,indifferentareaswithdifferentpopulations.Therefore,
proportionallyadjustingairpollutionlevelsmeasuredatamonitoringsitebasedonthesizeofthe
populationresidingnearthestationprovidesasurrogateestimateofexposuretogroundlevelozone
andPM2.5.[1]

Anannualpopulationweightedconcentrationlevelwascalculatedforeachyearbyestimatingthe
numberofpeoplelivingwithina40kmradiusofeachmonitoringstation,henceassigningeach
monitoringstationaweightrelativetoitspopulation.Thepopulationweightedconcentrationlevelfor
eachyear(Eyear)iscalculatedbymultiplyingthepopulation(P)ofamonitoringstationbytheaverage

 66

warmseasonambientlevel(C)ofozoneorPM2.5measuredatthatstation.Forexample,Pninthe
equationbelowrepresentsthepopulationwithina40kmradiusofstation(n)foraspecificyearandCn
istheaveragewarmseasonconcentrationlevelatstation(n)duringthesameyear.Theproductsfor
eachmonitoringstationwerethenaddedtogetherandcollectivelydividedbythesumofthetotal
population,whichisthesumofpopulationcountsofallthemonitoringstations.

Forgroundlevelozone,theconsideredambientlevel(C)isthewarmseasonaverageofalldaily
maximum8houraverageozonelevels,andforPM2.5theconsideredambientlevel(C)isthewarm
seasonaverageofalldaily24houraverage(midnighttomidnight)levels.

ThispopulationweightedmethodassignsmoreweighttoozoneandPM2.5concentrationsreportedat
thosestationslocatedinmorepopulatedareas.Applyingdifferentpopulationestimates(Pn)by
consecutivelyhalvingtheradiusfrom40kmto20kmto10kmandto5kmdidnotimpactthetrendfor
ozoneorthetrendforPM2.5atastatisticallysignificantlevel.
Estimatingpopulationweights

TheestimationofpopulationweightsforeachmonitoringstationreliesondatafromthelatestCensus
ofPopulationdowntothedisseminationarea(DA)leveland,fornoncensusyears,theyearly
populationestimatesforeachcensussubdivision(CSD)providedbyStatisticsCanada.EachCSDismade
upofseveralDAsand,innoncensusyears,thepopulationofeachDAisestimatedusingtheannual
populationestimatesofeachcorrespondingCSD.

SincetheboundariesofDAsdonotalwaysfitpreciselywiththeboundariesofthe40kmradiuscircles
aroundthemonitoringstationsusedfortheairqualityindicators,thepopulationineachcircleis
estimatedbasedontheproportionoftheareaofDAs.Figure2presentsaconceptualframeworkfor
estimatingthepopulationinacirclearoundamonitoringstation.

2.7Caveatsandlimitations

Measurementerror:EnvironmentCanadaandprovincialpartnershavedeployedqualitycontroland
qualityassuranceproceduresformonitoringinstrumentstoensurethatsourcesofmeasurementerror
arecontrolledandminimized.

Datacompleteness:Asignificantamountofmeasurementdataisnotusedduetodatacompleteness
criteria.Thecriteriafordeterminingwhetherstationshavesufficientlycompletedataforinclusionin
indicatoranalysisarebasedonstandardpracticesfollowedbyorganizationsincludingtheWorldHealth
OrganizationandtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,aswellasexpertopinion.
PM2.5monitoringstationsequipments:DifferentmonitoringmethodsformeasuringPM2.5areusedin
Canada(NAPS)socautionneedstobeusedwhencomparingresultsamongstationsandcities.
PM2.5monitorsbasedonnewertechnologiesarebeingdeployedacrosstheNAPSnetworktoreplace
olderinstruments,whichhavebeenfoundtoloseaportionofthePM2.5mass.Thistransitionisunder
wayandisexpectedtotake1to2yearstocomplete.Inthemeantime,cautionshouldbeusedwhen

 67

interpretingPM2.5levelsandtrends,asmeasurementsfromthesenewermethodsmaynotbedirectly
comparablewithdatafromtheolderinstruments.

Regionalgroupings:Thedefinitionsoftheregionsusedforreportingarenotthesameasthoseusedin
the2006andearlierreleasesofCESI.Accordingly,theQuebecandeasternOntarioregionas
presentedintheearlierreportshasbeenchangedtoincludestationsthatareonlyinsouthernQuebec.
Consequently,thesnapshotindicatorlevels(i.e.,yearlyvalues)forallregionscanonlybecomparedto
thelasttwopreviousreleasesofCESIsairqualityindicatorstodoanalysisthatincorporatestrendsand
spatialpatterns.However,thetrendindicatorsthemselves(i.e.,nationalandregionaltrends)are
generallycomparableregardlessofminoradjustmentsinregionalboundaries.

Populationweighting:ThepopulationweightingmethodusedinCESIassumesuniformconcentrations
ofgroundlevelozoneandPM2.5withinrelativelyarbitraryzones.Theseuniformconcentrations
thereforedonotfactorprevailingwindsandthelocationofmajoremissionssources.
Internationalcomparison:Althougheffortsweremadetolimittheamountofdatainconsistencies
betweeninternationalcities,caveatsandlimitationscanstillbefoundineachcountrysmonitoring
methods,instrumentoperationsandstationsitingprocedures;therefore,comparisonsamong
internationalcitiesshouldnotbeviewedasadefinitiveranking.Rather,theyshouldbeviewedasan
approximation.

Avalidannualmeanrequiredatleast6570hourlyreadings.Inaddition,thesecondandthirdquartersof
theyearshouldhave75%validdataforozone,whereasforPM2.5,eachquarteroftheyearshouldhave
75%validdata.

Fortheinternationalcitiescomparison,populationcitysizeandtheavailabilityofdatawerecity
selectioncriteria.Also,becauseanannualairqualitydefinitionwasused,itmaybethattheimpactof
weatherismoreimportantthanifathreeyearsaverage,liketheCanadaWideStandard(CWS)
definition,wereused.Nootherselectioncriteriawereusedforthiscomparison

CautionneedstobeexercisedwhencomparingCanadiancities.Asanexample,acomparisonofPM2.5
concentrationsforMontrealandTorontousingdatafromourreferencesamplersrevealsthatlevelsare
almostidentical.However,becausedifferentmonitoringmethodswereusedformeasuringPM2.5in
2008forthetwocities,itappearsthatMontrealhasamuchhigherannualconcentration,whichmay
notactuallybethecase.

Source:http://www.ec.gc.ca/indicateursindicators/