As discussed in the Introduction to Indicators, the indicators and categories developed for assessing sustainability also seem generally suitable for assessing community sustainability. Also, since livability is a broad topic, categories are useful for organizing indicators and also allow communities to ensure that they are measuring the key aspects of livability.

While the categories of indicators generally will apply at both the local and national level, some of the specific indicators used at the national level may not be applicable at the local level or local data may not be available. However, all of the national indicators are presented in case communities wish to develop measures similar to the national measures. The use of local indicators similar to the national indicators will allow communities to make a limited comparison of their results with the national results (and, of course, with other communities using these measures).

Recommended Indicators: The folowing indicators are suggested for consideration by communities:

• Indicators sorted by The Issues

  The Issues cover 22 topics such as Education, Air Quality, and Economic Prosperity.

  • National Indicators

  • Local Indicators

• Indicators sorted by The Framework

  The Framework has three major categories: (1) long-term endowments and liabilities, (2) processes that increase or decrease these endowments, and (3) current results and three subcategories for each category: economic, environmental, and social.

  • National Indicators

  • Local Indicators

Source of the Indicators: The recommended indicators are from two sources:

• The national indicators of sustainability are from Sustainable Development in the United States, An Experimental Set of Indicators, December, 1998, by the U.S. Interagency Working Group on Sustainable Development Indicators (the SDI Group) and

• The community indicators are those rated 5 or higher in Appendix A of Guide to Sustainable Community Indicators, Second Edition, by Maureen Hart, 1999 (note, the SDI Group recommends a ranking of 5 or better if possible in order to provide a robust measure of livability - A description of the rating system is available).