This thesis examines sustainable futures at various scales from international to local, focussing on processes occurring within Christchurch, New Zealand. In order for a sustainable future to occur, the integration of environmental, economic and social sustainability is required. However, very few examples exhibited this equal mix with some choosing to address issues in isolation but achieving positive change in the realisation of their pre-set goal. The most successful examples were those which incorporated the public into the consultation and implementation process. The Wetlands and Waterways Unit of the Christchurch City Council and the Christchurch Safer Community Council have achieved this but the Canterbury Dialogues process has not due to it being a top down process with limited public input. One result of the failure to achieve success has been the need to create or enhance an image, promoting icons or local characteristics; for instance, Christchurch-The Garden City. The result of this imagineering is that the image and reality of place become separated, particularly concerning social issues. The everyday importance of social aspects was illustrated in a survey asking Christchurch residents what were the. most important issues to them regarding a sustainable future. Large disparities were found to exist between the image and the reality of crime, education, health and air pollution issues. Closing the gap between image and reality was achieved in part by the use of indicators to simplify and illustrate each current situation. Failure to close this gap creates a polarised society where 'haves' and 'have nots' exist. When this occurs, harmonious relationships between environment, economy and society are compromised and prospects for a sustainable future appear bleak.