Agenda 21 and, generally, the appeal of the sustainability concept
have lead to much activity related to the construction of sustainability
indicators. The theoretical background of this activity, however,
is weak. We propose a project, with a workshop at its core, in
which existing pieces of a theoretical background are reviewed
and the promotion of a consistent theory is envisaged. This theory
may serve constructors of sustainability indicators to see their
own approach, in their respective context, as one choice in an
ensemble of many possible construction schemes.
We start out with reviewing existing theoretical approaches ((disciplinary)
roots, levels of aggregation, weighing schemes, communicational
aspects). Sustainability-indicators experts are then invited to
make reflections on their approaches and intentions to construct
indicators. In one or several workshops with the experts we will
try to crystallize how these starting points shape the indicator
construction. The gain in knowledge may further the mutual understanding
of indicator constructors from different fields which is crucial
in an interdisciplinary topic like sustainability.
