The Place of Planning in Sustainability Metrics for Public Works: Lessons From the Philadelphia Region

Abstract

This article reports and analyzes survey and focus group data regarding baseline goals for public works administration, against which new metrics can be constructed that meaningfully reflect the ideals implied by the notion of sustainability, focusing in particular on four policy areas in the Philadelphia metropolitan region.We administered a survey to key informants, all of whom had also agreed to participate in focus groups.The major conclusion from the survey and focus group data is that land-use policies could most likely serve as a common matrix for sustainability baselines and measurements in water, energy, and transportation.