‘This is a wonderful book that should be on the desk of every architect and planner. It shows how

So what kinds of design indicators would be more proactive?
We need design-oriented indicators that suggest where things need fixing. For example:
•
Single function spaces
: Single function spaces in urban development are indicators of wasted
opportunities to improve human and environmental health by integrating social and 
ecological space (eg Green Scaffolding or converting garages to greenhouses).
• 
Energy leakages
: Urban areas that are emitting heat can be detected and mapped using GIS
(eg using infrared radiation). Eco-retrofitting programmes could address these leaks at little
or no net cost (as is happening in the US).
• 
Toxic work relations
: Toxic work environments indicate that the planning organization or 

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Sustainability Reporting
government agency is not likely to be meeting meaningful goals or engaging in creative 
strategies. Reporting seldom reflects human productivity.
• 
Climate change
: Flood and damage can be reduced, as in Curitiba, by urban lakes and 
other positive landscaping amenities (rather than collapsible dikes as in New Orleans).
Green Scaffolding could protect many existing urban areas from wind, flood, extreme heat or
fire and earthquakes.
• 
Tradeoffs
: Tradeoffs are an indicator of bad design, as good design is inherently about
creating synergies. Tradeoffs are usually only required to appease competing interests or
buttress the established social infrastructure.
• 
Waste
: There is systems re-design potential wherever there is waste, as any unavoidable waste 
can theoretically be turned into a productive resource. A caveat is that the uses of waste can 
sometimes be anti-ecological.
• 
Inequity or low wages
: A product that is produced with low wages, or child labour,
effectively transfers wealth, and an increasing concentration of wealth is an indicator of
unjust enrichment (eg golden handshakes to CEOs even when their companies’ profits sink). 
Unlike typical urban sustainability indicators, the above symptoms are not measures of ‘trends’, but 
systems design problems that point to places where we can create positive economic activity that is 
creates efficiency gains or long-term savings. In other words, indicators should relate to building 
society’s ability to improve, or adapt to biophysical reality, rather than nature’s ability to cope with 
society [Chapter 14]. New kinds of indicators developed by environmental economists over recent 
decades could play a part in developing more relevant sustainability measures.