The development of quality of life indicators—a case study from the City of Bristol, UK

Indicators of sustainability/quality of life have been developed in Bristol over the past 6 years. An initiative that started by choosing a limited selection of neighbourhood measurements covering environmental, ecological, and social issues has now been expanded to become a barometer of quality of life for Bristol’s communities. asurement of indicators started as a local authority led ‘top down’ initiative, but improving quality of life and regenerating neighbourhoods must also be people-based, and a ‘bottom-up’ approach aimed at generating many ideas and projects, has been reconciled within indicator development within the city. sustainability/quality of life indicators are being measured at five levels to give a comprehensive picture about quality of life in Bristol’s neighbourhoods: 1. an common indicators—introduced in 2000. al and regional headline indicators—introduced in 1998/1999. older indicators—selected after Local Agenda 21 stakeholder and public consultation in 1999; they are measured and updated by stakeholders and the community. ward and city-wide indicators—introduced as benchmarks in 1995 and measured by the local authority. ity group indicators—being developed during 2001/2002 and measured by each group. l’s indicators, illustrated as maps and trends, have informed citizens about the quality of life in their environment that has led to political, community or individual action for change. The local authority is well placed to lead indicator initiatives with a top down approach that can encourage and strengthen partnerships with other agencies. But professionals and politicians need the public’s insight and the ‘bottom-up’ approach to select and measure community indicators needs full public consultation. Both approaches are necessary and are now used in Bristol so that a baseline of information is provided to help focus the needs and wants within communities. The development of Bristol’s indicators is not only supporting the monitoring of Local Agenda 21 and community strategies, but has joined-up the local authority and the community in a process that is less bureaucratic and more meaningful to citizens.