Social Sustainability - Dimensions of Social Sustainability

Dimensions of Social Sustainability

According to the Western Australia Council of Social Services (WACOSS):

"Social sustainability occurs when the formal and informal processes; systems; structures; and relationships actively support the capacity of current and future generations to create healthy and livable communities. Socially sustainable communities are equitable, diverse, connected and democratic and provide a good quality of life."

It has the following dimensions :

• Equity - the community provides equitable opportunities and outcomes for all its members, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable members of the community
• Diversity - the community promotes and encourages diversity
• Interconnected/Social cohesions - the community provides processes, systems and structures that promote connectedness within and outside the community at the formal, informal and institutional level
• Quality of life - the community ensures that basic needs are met and fosters a good quality of life for all members at the individual, group and community level (e.g. health, housing, education, employment, safety)
• Democracy and governance - the community provides democratic processes and open and accountable governance structures.
• Maturity - the individual accept the responsibility of consistent growth and improvement through broader social attributes (e.g. communication styles, behavioural patterns, indirect education and philosophical explorations)