Materialize the concept sustainable development is a complex problem, therefore the conceptual bases on the involved questions are not consolidated. There is no consensus on what to measure, how to measure and, principally, on as to ponder and combine data. This work argues and tests method for evaluation of the development in the perspective of sustainable development, considering the system to be evaluated composed of subsystems (people and ecosystem), eight dimensions and two categories. The dimensions contemplate aspects that are characteristic of the system that must be considered for the evaluation. Consultation to system evaluated key actors precedes the choice and balance of the aspects and dimensions. It is argued the adoption of the factorial analysis as the technique for reduction of the number of aspects for evaluation. Indices aggregate for dimensions, subsystems and for the system are calculated. For test of the approach proposal is carried through an application having as reference the state of Rondônia (Brazil).
Sustainable development; sustainability; indicators; indices
