ABSTRACT
As perhaps the pre-eminent symbol of their holistic approach, discussions of sustainable development often focus on how to simultaneously meet goals in the areas of environment, economy, and equity, usually referred to as the “Three Es.” In the past these objectives have often been separated within urban planning, governmental decision-making, and development discussions of all types. Public debates have pitted “environment against economy” within controversies such as logging in the US Northwest, coal mining in Britain, air pollution controls in China, and mining in Chile, South Africa, and Australia. Construction unions, developers, and road-building interests have also often fought growth management efforts in metropolitan areas on the grounds that these environmentally oriented policies will destroy jobs. Businesses oppose equity initiatives such as “living wage” ordinances on similar grounds. Even environment and equity have come into conflict at times, such as when recycling facilities with their noise and traffic are located in low-income neighborhoods.
