ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book explores the role that strategic plans, sustainability indicators, and sustainability-minded groups play in urban sustainability governance, which is conceptualized as incorporating sustainability principles into political decision-making processes. It presents sustainability as an essentially contested concept guided by five core principles: acknowledgment of natural limits, long time scales, systems perspective, deliberation, and reflexivity. The book shows that cities do not necessarily use strategic plans to promote sustainability; more often, this instrument is used to deal with local growth issues. It highlights the various ways that sustainability indicators can be used toward urban sustainability governance. These uses vary by actor group; in general, indicator sets are only effective if developed in conjunction with target users. The book examines the role of outside sustainability groups in urban sustainability governance, finding three key types of organizations.
