Community Happiness Index Gwendolyn Hallsmith, Director Department of Planning and Community Development City of Montpelier

Indexing Indicators Types of Indicators Pressure State Response Familiar Combinations GNP/GDP GPI Pages that Count

New Combinations Whole System Design Research needs Tracking and Monitoring Communicating Indicators Audience Messaging Schedule Iterative Planning and Policy

Community Happiness Human Needs Framework Social and Human Development Empowerment and Responsibility Economic Wealth Efficient Services and Infrastructure Environmental Integrity Unmet Needs Underutilized Resources

Sustainable Community Plan Definition: A long-term action plan to guide the environmental decisions, infrastructure choices, economic development, governance, and social development of a community. A key consideration in a sustainable community planning process is to address how future generations will meet their needs.

Human Needs and Sustainability Action Capacity Social, Governance, Economic, and Material Needs Stocks and Regeneration Rates of Human, Governance, Financial and Physical Assets

five requirements for sustainable communities health and well-being empowerment and responsibility economic security ecological integrity  efficient services and infrastructure

health and well-being strong sense of community rich spiritual life lifelong education system arts and cultural activities recreational opportunities safe neighborhoods caring families and relationships health care for everyone

empowerment and responsibility shared leadership equity self-determination conflict resolution access information

economic security meaningful work income security equitable creation of wealth

efficient services and infrastructure affordable housing efficient buildings and infrastructure renewable energy reliable transportation abundant local goods and services reliable communication systems 

environmental integrity clean air productive soil clean and abundant water healthy ecosystems & biodiversity natural waste assimilation climate regulation pollination

Enhancing Assets and Capacities Starting with Strengths Everybody is a Hero Satisfying Needs

Integrated Feedback Systems Improved social networks Community spirit Social well-being Empowerment & responsibility Equitable resource distribution Economic security Human and environmental health

Understanding Systems

Montpelier Indicators Social and Human Development Governance Economics & Livelihoods Built Environment and Infrastructure Natural Environment

Social and Human Well-Being Reported Sense of Community Participation in Neighborhoods Reported Sense of Safety Crime Rate Affordable Child Care Lifelong Learning Opportunities Public School Performance Support and Participation of Elders, People with Disabilities, etc.

Good Governance Responsiveness to Citizen Concerns Youth Participation in Local Government Voter Registration Regional Cooperation Neighborhood Association Activities Equitable Voting Districts

Vibrant Local Economy Green Jobs Livable Wages GRI Reporting Businesses Non-essential imports Locally Produced Food Exchange Systems Job Satisfaction and Employment

Built Environment Greenhouse Gas Emissions Non-renewable energy consumption Affordable Housing Index Non-motorized transportation Average Household Internet Speed Average Density in Growth Center Sidewalk Quantity and Quality

Natural Environment Wastewater pollutants River Water Quality Green Roofs Flood storage capacity Raingardens Ambient Air Quality Soil Production

The End Questions? Comments?