ABSTRACT
The 'Sustainable Seattle Forum' discussed the range of environmental, social and economic problems affecting the city's long-term well-being; struggled with definitions of sustainability; and wondered how a city's progress toward that goal might be measured. Talk radio, however, covered it extensively, inviting Sustainable Seattle organizers to their studios for call-in shows. Some local government officials promoted it as a quasi-official addition to the City's comprehensive planning process then under way ; but others in government paid little attention. Finally, after nearly five years of steady work by legions of volunteers, Sustainable Seattle had achieved its goal of bringing a full array of indicators to the attention of the public. The Sustainable Seattle Indicators represent the work of hundreds of people who now have an intimate knowledge of sustainability. The story is presented in chronology format since each phase of the project corresponds to specific issues in indicator selection and development. Key lessons are highlighted throughout and summarized in the conclusion.
