A new interactive research tool will make it easier for communities to build sustainability into their urban development plans.
Camelia Williams shares news of a new platform created by the Financing Sustainable Cities Initiative (FSCI) "that guides users through the process of identifying financial solutions that will support sustainable projects to improve the quality of life for their residents."
FSCI worked with researchers from the World Resources Institute Ross Center to invent a new way for presenting easy to navigate information. "The result is a beautiful, clear and simple interactive guide to each of the steps that lead to successful, sustainable solutions," according to Williams.
The tool resembles a circular tree "that shows the full picture, yet moves and adapts as each element is selected."
As for what the user will find, "topics such as low- and zero-emission bus fleets and bike-sharing systems, among others, providing examples of what other cities have done."
FULL STORY: Interactive design to help city leaders bring ideas to reality.

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