A major problem when talking about sustainable development and sustainability is – what does it really mean?
Sustainable development is based on the idea that the quality of people’s lives and the state of our communities is affected by a combination of economic, social and environmental factors. Therefore these three factors and the links between them should be taken into account in the decisions we make and the actions we take. The aim of sustainability is to support and help local people work actively towards a better future. How do we ensure long term benefits for all people in the district? How do we start to address economic social and environmental concerns? One thing we do know is that it requires everyone’s involvement. As ‘Securing the Future: UK Government Sustainable Strategy’ states, sustainable communities embody the principles of sustainable development. They: • balance and integrate the social, economic and environmental components of their community • meet the needs of existing and future generations • respect the needs of other communities in the wider region or internationa
