Community Sustainability

Community sustainability is a philosophy and framework to help the city make decisions by looking in a comprehensive way at the long-term implications for the community. It means meeting the needs of our community now, without compromising the ability to meet the needs of future Boulderites. The sustainability process integrates economic vitality, social health and environmental quality goals, prioritized to reflect the values of the community.

The city recognizes the critical relationship among economic, social and environmental sustainability and seeks to maintain and enhance the livability and vitality of Boulder now and in the future. 

Community Dialogue Initiative Results are Available

The summary reports of the City of Boulder's 2007 community dialogue efforts have been completed and are now available. The community dialogue initiative was comprised of two parallel approaches and processes - a community survey and dialogue meetings or meetings-in-a-box (MIB).

 2007_Survey_Report 1.29 Mb

 2007_MIB_Report  240.20 Kb

 mib_summary_report_in_spanish 309.61 Kb

 Staff_Memo_Jan_15_Study_Session  755.71 Kb

City Council identified the purpose of the community dialogue initiative as: to become attuned to the opinions and needs of the community, including those who don't typically participate in city government, on a broad range of issues and to help identify the desires for the future "look and feel" of Boulder. The first phase of the community dialogue initiative was comprised of two approaches and processes - a community survey and dialogue meetings ("meetings-in-a-box").

The first phase of the community dialogue effort was an incremental step toward connecting with those residents who are hard to reach or who don't typically participate in local government decision-making processes. The investment council has made in the first phase of the community dialogue project under the city's community sustainability initiative emphasizes Boulder's intention to become a more inclusive community.

Community Survey 
A survey was mailed to 3,500 randomly selected Boulder residents in late September 2007. The survey included questions to provide trend data that builds on past city community surveys as well as questions on specific policy issues.

Meetings-in-a-Box (MIB) 
The dialogue started in the fall of 2007 with meetings-in-a-box...small group meetings hosted by individuals, organizations or businesses.  Topics of discussion included what residents value about life in Boulder and what residents want in the future.  Participants described what they believe are the most important issues facing the city.

Brief (4 page) Summary of the MIB Results  MIB_Capsule_Report 125.91 Kb

Appendices for the full MIB report:  MIB_Appendices 576.78 Kb

To see an article about the initiative, click on the title>  Community_Dialogue_article 18.50 Kb.

For more information: Contact: Jean Gatza, Community Sustainability Coordinator
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , phone: 303-441-4907

Social Sustainability Information 
Social Sustainability focuses on enhancing community livability by providing outreach and developing policies that address the needs of the community, including the under-served, under-represented and under-participating residents so all who live in Boulder can feel part of, and thrive in, our community.

Social sustainability has been a major focus of the City Council and city organization, focusing efforts to make our community and city government more welcoming to and inclusive of all residents. It means valuing equity and diversity, meeting the basic needs of residents so they can contribute and benefit from economic vitality and creating opportunities for all residents to participate in civic life. This requires strengthening representation of all people in the decision-making process. 

Please click on the following link to download the Social Sustainability Strategic Plan approved in May 2007.

 Social Sustainability Strategic Plan 1.98 Mb  

                                  Council Goals

Community Sustainability Information

 Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan Policies: Community Sustainability 9.52 Kb

 Community Sustainability Briefing Paper 63.30 Kb

11-13-07_update_on_cs_work_plan

community_sustainability_impact_assessment_tools

For more information: Contact: Jean Gatza, Community Sustainability Coordinator
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , phone: 303-441-4907

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Last Updated on Thursday, 11 September 2008 06:37