Sustainability is a contested concept. Whilst the "triple bottom line" is sometimes used to describe the economic, social and ecological dimensions of sustainability, there are differing conceptions of what this notion implies. There are nevertheless some recurring themes that are outlined in this paper. There has also been some convergence in notions of "sustainable communities" and "healthy communities". Balanced integration of economic, social and ecological dimensions remains a challenge for policy-makers, educators and community members. (Contains 4 figures and 1 endnote.)