About Social Sustainability
Social sustainability is about people – individuals and the community. While no universally accepted definition exists, it is generally agreed that socially sustainable communities are characterized by: 
- equity
- diversity
- inter-connectedness
- democratic governance
- good quality of life
The social dimension of sustainability has traditionally received less attention than the environmental and economic dimensions (in part because of the difficulty in defining and measuring social sustainability). Thinking has been changing, however, with the recognition that any efforts to promote sustainability (environmental or economic) involve decisions and actions by people (i.e. they are fundamentally social in nature).
People ultimately experience the impacts of such decisions and actions, which can directly or indirectly affect and alter their behaviour. For example, the physical environment and land use pattern of a city (i.e. how large the blocks are, how easy it is to cross main arterial roads to get to a park, how many parks and trails there are, whether there are shops or places of employment nearby) has an effect on how likely a person is to exercise regularly, or choose a sustainable mode of transport, such as walking, cycling, or taking the bus.
Similarly, economic decisions, such as the feasibility of establishing a bus service to an area, contributes to determining whether older adults are able to continue living in their own home as they age (known as 'aging in place'). An array of economic, environmental and social factors influences people's level of well-being and their sense of belonging and connection to their community - all key elements of a sustainable community.
Therefore, it is now widely acknowledged that sustainability involves three inter-related, mutually supportive elements: environmental, economic, and social.
Learn More
Social Profile of Richmond
City Policies and Initiatives pertaining to Social Sustainability
Individual and Community Action
Contacts for responding to social sustainability inquiries
To order City publications on social sustainability (e.g., social planning, affordable housing, recreation), please visit the City’s Publications page.
References
Partridge, Emma. Social Sustainability: A Useful Theoretical Framework? Paper presented at the Australasian Political Science Association Annual Conference. 2005
Barron, Leanne and Erin Gauntlett. Housing and Sustainable Communities Indicator Project: Stage 1 Report - Model of Social Sustainability. Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS). 2002.
