The public sector will play a vital role in developing effective platforms and mechanisms to encourage responsible development for the long term. This will require proactive leadership that fosters sustainability thinking and acting, along with appropriate guidance, tools, etc. A distinct ‘tool set’ will help formulate and implement activities by which sustainability-based policies and programs are incorporated into municipal policy. Synergy, or generating results that are more than the sum of separate parts, is also a key aspect in implementation in that there must be cooperation and coordination among a variety of entities oriented towards the same visions and goals.
In the policy-formulation process there are numerous elements that need to be considered, and in no way is there an exact blueprint to follow. Different localities and cultures have different needs and requirements. A general framework for knowledge gathering, communication, collaboration, policy formation and evaluation can subsequently be tailored to context-specific solutions for individual communities. By developing a broad set of needs and action methods, communities at a multitude of scales can begin to evaluate different strategies of implementation that best suit their community’s needs and goals. This ‘umbrella’ framework can serve as a guideline to incorporate sustainability into government operations, legislation, policies and programs. Integral to this process is the need to affirm goals and visions for community and economic development, at the outset of policy/plan development, to ensure effective implementation and to avoid having sustainability become an afterthought or add-in.
We have identified three major components that will enable municipalities and planning entities to begin to apply sustainability principles and ideologies to real world practices and policies. The first component is the development of detailed communication and coordination frameworks. By identifying ways to increase communication and encourage intra- and interdepartmental coordination, public participation and public/private partnerships, we can ensure that all entities are striving toward the same visions and goals.
Communication and Coordination Framework
The next component is evaluating the existing planning phases and processes to identify mechanisms to integrate sustainability thinking and action throughout the process. This will enable municipalities and planning entities to develop responsible, sustainable plans that enable the visions and goals to be achieved through a set of short- and long-term targets.
Evaluation of Planning Steps and Processes
The last component is focused upon a tool kit to develop methods for evaluating alternative plans, policies and programs using a set of sustainability metrics and indicators. By utilizing a set of quantitative and qualitative measures, it gives planners and policy makers the ability to evaluate their practices based upon sustainability principles. This process involves analyzing the plan components and determining which elements can be adjusted to improve social and natural environments.
Applying Sustainability Metrics and Indicators
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