Which term encapsulates the balance of environmental, economic, and social considerations in planning?

• A. Environment, Economy, and Equity
• B. Environment, Ecology, and Equity
• C. Energy, Economy, and Equity
• D. Environment, Economy, and Energy

Answer: (A)

Balancing environmental protection, economic viability, and social fairness is the goal of sustainable planning. The best choice is Environment, Economy, and Equity because it explicitly includes equity—the social dimension that ensures fair distribution of benefits and burdens—along with environmental protection and economic feasibility. This trio aligns with the common idea of the triple bottom line in planning, where you consider environmental health, financial viability, and social justice together. The other options replace equity with ecology or energy, which shifts the emphasis away from ensuring fair treatment and access for all people.