"A process for creating sustainable, successful places that promote wellbeing, by understanding what people need from the places they live and work. Social sustainability combines design of the physical realm with design of the social world – infrastructure to support social and cultural life, social amenities, systems for citizen engagement and space for people and places to evolve." The Young Foundation (July 2011)
"Drawing on a review of international experience the Young Foundation has developed a framework containing four elements that are essential to build new communities that will be successful and sustainable in the long term. These are: amenities and social infrastructure; social and cultural life; voice and influence; and space to grow" The Young Foundation (July 2011)
Check out this fantastic study by the Young Foundation of a vision for social sustainability
http://www.youngfoundation.org/files/images/Design_for_Social_Sustainability.pdf