Assesing Urban Sustainability: Models and Options for City Governments

Following the quest of cities worldwide forsustainable development, numerous cities andlocalities in Romania have developed localdevelopment strategies or master plans thatincorporate the concept of sustainability. Whilethese strategic planning efforts are commendable,it is not very clear how the municipalities willmonitor the progress made, if any, toward reachingsustainability. This paper strives to offer someclarity with regard to various measurement systemsof urban sustainability. Our goal is to provide a list ofsteps cities and city governments in Romania andelsewhere might consider in light of designing andimplementing measurement/assessment systemsof urban sustainability.