ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the design, development, and use of sustainability indicators by local and regional government in the Puget Sound urban region of Washington State, US Sustainability is concerned with decisions and actions which contribute to the long-term viability of human activity. It deals with four areas that contribute to human welfare: society, environment, economy, and time. The chapter focuses on sustainability indicators initiatives is on three local government programs in the central Puget Sound region: the City of Seattle, King County in which Seattle is located, and the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). The PSRC is a comprehensive planning agency organized as an association of the four counties of the Seattle metropolitan area, state transportation agencies, and cities, towns, and port authorities in the counties. It is designated as the Metropolitan Planning Organization required by the federal government for localities to receive federal transportation funds, and under state law as the Regional Transportation Organization for four-county area.
