Client: Royal Roads University

Timeline: 2010 to 2011

Description

SSG was hired by the Canada Research Chair on Sustainable Community Development to create an online tool to evaluate community vitality. One definition of community vitality is as follows:

1. increased use of the skills, knowledge and ability of local people. 

2. strengthened relationships and communication. 

3. improved community initiative, responsibility and adaptability. 

4. sustainable, healthy ecosystems with multiple community benefits. 

5. appropriately diverse and healthy economies.

SSG has prepared a series of 12 research papers on relevant subjects. The research papers will be published in the peer-reviewed journal Local Environment. 

Our Role

• Research and develop a tool to evaluate vitality for communities across Canada

Innovations and Achievements

The idea of community vitality is not clearly defined in the literature. SSG has conducted a theoretical background review to establish a definition. This definition then becomes the foundation for an index which can be used to evaluate communities. A focus group was held with provincial governments across Canada using the innovative E-dialogues software to ensure the index is policy relevant.