Why these categories?

These catergories are based on the seven components of Sustainable Communities identified in the Egan Review (2003), and the eight ODPM components described in the definition of a Sustainable Community.

Social, Cultural and Safe-Vibrant, harmonious and inclusive communities

• A sense of community identity and belonging
• Tolerance, respect and engagement with people from different cultures, background and beliefs
• Friendly, co-operative and helpful behaviour in neighbourhoods
• Opportunities for cultural, leisure, community, sport and other activities
• Low levels of crime and anti-social behaviour with visible, effective and community-friendly policing
• All people are socially included and have similar life opportunities

Governance -Effective and inclusive participation, representation and leadership

• Strategic, visionary, representative, accountable governance systems that enable inclusive, active and effective participation by individuals and organisations
• Strong, informed and effective leadership and partnerships that lead by example (eg government, business, community)
• Strong, inclusive, community and voluntary sector (eg resident's associations, neighbourhood watch)
• A sense of civic values, responsibility and pride
• Continuous improvement through effective delivery, monitoring and feedback at all levels

Environmental -Providing places for people to live in an environmentally-friendly way

• Efficient use of resources now and in the future in the built environment and service provision (eg energy efficiency, land, water resources, flood defence, waste minimisation etc)
• Living in a way that minimises the negative environmental impact and enhances the positive impact (eg recycling, walking, cycling)
• Protecting and improving natural resources and biodiversity (eg air quality, noise, water quality)
• Having due regard for the needs of future generations in current decisions and actions

Housing and the Built Environment -A quality built and natural environment

• Creating a sense of place (eg a place with a positive 'feeling'for people, and local distinctiveness)
• Well-maintained, local, user-friendly public and green spaces with facilities for everyone including children and older people
• Sufficient range, diversity and affordability of housing within a balanced housing market
• A high quality, well-designed built environment of appropriate size, scale, density, design and layout that complements the distinctive local character of the community
• High quality, mixed-use, durable, flexible and adaptable buildings

Transport and Connectivity -Good transport services and communication linking people to jobs, schools, health and other services

• Transport facilities, including public transport, that help people travel within and between communities
• Facilities to encourage safe local walking and cycling
• Accessible and appropriate local parking facilities
• Widely available and effective telecommunications and Internet access

Economy -A flourishing and diverse local economy

• A wide range of jobs and training opportunities
• Sufficient land and buildings to support economic prosperity and change
• Dynamic job and business creation
• A strong business community with links into the wider economy

Services -A full range of appropriate, accessible public, private, community and voluntary services

• Well-educated people from well-performing local schools, further and higher education and training for lifelong learning
• High quality, local health care and social services
• Provision of range of accessible, affordable public, community, voluntary and private services (eg retail, food, commercial, utilities)
• Service providers who think and act long term and beyond their own immediate geographical and interest boundaries