ABSTRACT
This chapter explores indicator use when planning in core areas of Canada's mid-sized cities. Mid-sized cities have received little attention from the research community, which tends to focus on large metropolitan centres. The chapter aims to report on findings from a survey of indicator use by planners responsible for core areas of mid-sized cities. Indicators provide the foundation of information that is monitored on a continual basis to identify trends and patterns, and is then analysed through a formal process of evaluation. There has also been a shift of emphasis to sub-municipal, community or neighbourhood-based indicator models. Planning for core areas in cities represents a relevant application of monitoring, evaluation and indicators. Social and environmental indicators were cited in cities that embraced community-wide sustainability with its triad of economic, social and environmental concerns and goals. Many environmental indicators are collected on a city-wide basis thus core-area-specific indicators may be difficult to collect.
