Implementing Sustainability in a Large Mining Community: Sudbury (Canada) - From Cluster to Innovation Center

The paper describes a process that has spanned several decades in transforming what started as a Canadian remote polluted mining and smelting camp into a diversified economy aimed at sustainable management and community goals. Sudbury (Ontario) just gained scientific recognition with a Nobel Prize in Physics for a neutrino observatory located 2 200 metres underground. Previously, the United Nations had recognised the city for having restored the greenery of its devastated landscape through community cooperation. Mining firms were recognised for cooperative efforts between management and labour resulting in improved safety and reduced injuries and fatalities. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is based on multidisciplinary secondary data obtained from previous published and unpublished research as well as industry reports and other data. Comparisons are made with similar regions, such as Antofagasta (Chile).Findings: From 1886 to 1972, Sudbury was heavily polluted by record amounts of sulphur dioxide (more than Norilsk in Russia and over three times more than Marista in Bulgaria). Since 1972, local community labour and scientific leaders’ earlier efforts started to produce results. A diversified economy evolved through services (education, health care, retail). Research/practical implications: Data about recent developments in the various disciplines related to sustainability need to be gathered in a systematic way. Originality/value: The paper shows how an urban region of 165,000 with a heavy industrial base has transformed itself from an industrial ecological disaster to a significantly more sustainable community. The process leading to the necessary changes is described as driven by social change initiated by community groups, rather than urbanists and politicians. This paper reports on the positive developments associated with the implementation of economic diversification and sustainability principles in Sudbury since 1972.