Development is the economic, social and political process which leads to an improvement of standard of living for a population.
Countries may be classified according to the level of development based on economic (Gross domestic product per capita) and social (life expectancy and adult literacy rate) indicators
Sustainable development meets the needs of the present population by achieving high standards of living for all
Key aims: economy, environment and society
Economic sustainability can be achieved by ensuring that a neighbourhood has a high enough population density, which helps support local businesses and keep transport and infrastructure costs low
Social sustainability can be achieved by ensuring that residents feel included and have a sense of shared identity. This can be fostered by having shared community spaces to promote regular social interactions
Environmental sustainability can be achieved by ample protection for nature, having facilities that support waste minimisation and recycling and energy and water-efficient design approaches for buildings and landscapes