Students studied over 40 indicator systems and 1200 potential indicators, and narrowed it down to 60 indicators specifically for the City of Dubuque and its 11 principles through discussion with city staff, public engagement, and analysis of comparable cities. The students developed a score card for each indicator to be used by officials.

In 2008, the City of Dubuque developed Sustainable Dubuque's Vision Statement and 11 supporting sustainability principles. To measure the City's progress toward sustainability, the City desired to create indicators that would measure growth in the 11 principles.

This project won the 2013 American Planning Association's Student Award for the Contribution of Planning to a Contemporary Issue.