A Geographic Information System (GIS) software program for mapping, measuring, and analyzing the storm water, summer energy savings, carbon storage and sequestration, air quality, and wildlife of urban ecosystems.
“CommunityViz is advanced yet easy-to-use GIS software designed to help people visualize, analyze, and communicate about important community planning decisions.”
This community visioning exercise that uses regional maps and Legos to supplement to discussions of planning and growth issues. Lego blocks may represent jobs, housing units, people, or other attributes to help people devise a vision for the future.
The Natural Step Framework (TNS) is a science-based, systems framework to help organizations, individuals and communities take meaningful steps toward sustainability.
Growth Chip Games are a fun, effective activity to engage community members in planning decisions. Players use chips to represent development attributes and place them on maps to create different scenarios for growth and change.
Design Charrettes are intensive workshops aimed at solving a specific design or planning challenge. These workshops often bring together design professionals, officials, landowners and community members to consider the issue and create a plan.
An online virtual 3-D world, Second Life allows users to create their own “sims” (virtual characters), explore the virtual world, meet and interact with others, buy or rent land, build objects and offer services, and develop relationships.
Big Box Evaluator is a web-based, interactive resource for citizens and government officials who want to know more about the potential positive and negative impacts of “big box” retail stores on local communities.