1st Edition

Community Indicators Measuring Systems

Edited By Rhonda Phillips Copyright 2005
    222 Pages
    by Routledge

    222 Pages
    by Routledge

    Community indicators measuring systems represent a mechanism to improve monitoring and evaluation in planning, incorporating citizen involvement and participation. They reflect the interplay between social, environmental and economic factors affecting a region's or community's well-being, and, as such, can be extremely valuable to planners and developers. Yet, little research has been conducted on their efficacy. This book provides a comprehensive review of how community development indicators evolved and examines their interplay with planning and development. It questions how we adequately measure concepts associated with indicators systems and whether these systems are sustainable and can best evolve. In doing so, the book allows a better understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of community indicators measuring systems, as well as how best to design and implement them.

    Contents: Theory And Basis For Community Indicators: Understanding indicators, Heidi Hoernig and Mark Seasons; Historical background of community indicators, Clifford Cobb and Craig Rixford. Relating Community Indicators To Planning And Development: The sustainable Calgary story: a local response to a global challenge, Noel Keough; Indicators and core area planning: applications in Canada's mid-sized cities, Mark Seasons; Integrating community indicators with economic development planning, Rhonda Phillips and Susan Bridges. Technological Dimensions: Community statistical systems: discussion of development and data issues, Naomi Oliver, Christiana Schumann and Marc T. Smith; Role of multi-scalar GIS-based indicators studies in formulating neighbourhood planning policy, Rina Ghose and William Huxhold; Where do we want to be? Making sustainability indicators integrated, dynamic and participatory, Jeff Carmichael, Sonia Talwar, James Tansey and John Robinson; Subject index.

    Biography

    Rhonda Phillips is Director at the Center for Building Better Communities, Urban and Regional Planning Department, University of Florida, USA.

    '...makes a significant contribution to our continuing understanding and appreciation of the value of indicators...A clear strength of the book is the impressive range of issues covered...Community leaders, researchers and graduate students in urban studies, environmental management, land use planning and geography will be sure to find something of deep interest among the chapters.' Urban Studies