There are tons of definitions of sustainability. There's no right description because it applies to so many concepts. The first site I want to post on here is: http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC25/Gilman.htm . The USF server is restricting me from seeing it for some reason, but when I read it a week or so ago it gave me a whole different outlook on what sustainability is how how it can be feasibly achieved. The article was written about 8 years ago, but the ideas Robert Gilman presents are definitely worth reading. Another link I'm going to make is to The Sustainable Communities Plan. It's a comprehensive, strategic plan created by the British government in 2003 to reform the areas plagued by the consequences of unsustainable development. I also think the Smart Growth Network is worth looking at. It includes environmental groups, historic preservation organizations, professional organizations, developers, real estate interests; local and state government entities. The network helps coordinate efforts to achieve sustainable development. The Institute for Sustainable Communities is similar. It goes into communities that need the leadership necessary to make changes toward sustainability. They educated and train individuals on how to take power and put it in the hands of the people, which is the first step in moving forward. Lastly, here's a link to a case study on the impressive efforts of Chattanooga, TN. They turned their city around from America's dirtiest city to one of the most sustainable.