Paper short abstract:

Communities worldwide are working to integrate cultural considerations within local sustainability initiatives. We synthesize leading cases/approaches in Canada and Europe and review research literature to advance the inclusion of cultural heritage, vitality and values in local sustainability frameworks.

Paper long abstract:

"Culture" and "sustainability" are two of the most contested terms on the planet. Bringing the two concepts together is therefore a huge challenge, but it is one that is being undertaken in cities and communities worldwide as they seek to integrate cultural considerations within community sustainability frameworks and plans. In our ongoing review of an array of integrated community sustainability plans and guides, we have concluded that the development of conceptual frameworks for considering culture in the context of community sustainability should be systems-based and three-fold in nature, encompassing and balancing notions of: (1) historical/heritage vitality, including preservation of intangible and physical assets; (2) cultural vitality, including dynamic contemporary creative processes and opportunities; and (3) cultural values that shape ways of living together and interactions with the environment. In this paper, we will review and synthesize 'leading' cases/approaches to the three themes among Canadian Integrated Community Sustainability Plans and supporting documents and various European initiatives we have reviewed. We will also apply the three-part framework to various research literatures on culture and sustainability to critically assess how these more theoretical discourses might inform and advance the inclusion of cultural considerations in the context of community sustainability.