This book approaches the key challenges of achieving urban sustainability in a holistic way. It brings together academics and practitioners to analyze the complexity and interdependence of principles, models, processes and practices of sustainability in a range of integrated sectors to identify which policies are most effective in encouraging, enabling and enforcing social change.

1: Steering Sustainability: What, When and Why; I: Transforming Cities; 2: A Sustainable Cities Framework for Housing; 3: Ecopolis: Concepts, Initiatives and the Purpose of Cities; 4: Permaculture: Design Principles for Urban Sustainability; 5: Policy Approaches Incorporating Life Cycle Assessment; II: Collective Practices; 6: Stationary Energy: A Critical Element of a Sustainable Urban Metabolism; 7: Sustainable Transport in Urban Neighbourhoods: Policy Approaches, User Responses; 8: Indicators, Audits and Measuring Success; 9: Sustainable Water Systems and Household Practices; 10: Integrated Waste Management and Zero Waste; III: Community and Civil Society; 11: Community Action and Engagement for Sustainability; 12: WestWyck: An Urban Sustainability Demonstration Site; 13: The Role of Leisure Time in Achieving Sustainability; 14: Local Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships for Sustainability; IV: Transforming Suburbs; 15: Innovating for Sustainability in Estate Development: VicUrban in Melbourne; 16: Who Can Afford Sustainable Housing?; 17: Retrofitting the Australian Suburbs for Sustainability; 18: Nurturing Nature in the City; 19: How Smart is ‘Smart'? – Smart Homes and Sustainability; 20: Sustainable Futures

'For those looking for more in the sustainability debate than a narrow focus on carbon trading and big picture governance reform, this book is a handy reference. It provides a comprehensive tour of contemporary sustainability practice across Australia, with an emphasis on grass-roots action.' Marcus Spiller, Director SGS Economics & Planning Pty Ltd, Former National President, Planning Institute of Australia '...a comprehensive overview of the Australian state of affairs for policy makers.' European Journal of Housing Policy 'With its wide-ranging scope, this book could be very stimulating to policy-makers and practitioners, not only in Australia but in any national or local context. Moreover, it may also be interesting and useful for academics and students at urban and regional planning departments of universities.' Journal of Housing and the Built Environment 'Overall, the book provides a good balance of information and insight that relate to the reader as an individual, to policy-makers and to those seeking enhanced understanding and knowledge of sustainability...It is well written, it forms a more integrated assessment of sustainability than many edited books and it does provide valuable policy directions and includes useful case studies. It is an interesting book...it makes a quite valuable addition to the sustainability literature and debate.' New Zealand Geographer '... the themes and approaches highlighted are clearly applicable to all nations grappling with sustainability issues particularly within an urban context.' Geographical Research