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.”
The Natural Step Framework (TNS) is a science-based, systems framework to help organizations, individuals and communities take meaningful steps toward sustainability.
Photo simulations depict potential planning and design changes through realistic digitally-manipulated photographs. They allow people to compare before-and-after scenarios and understand how planning decisions will appear in the landscape.
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.
Open Town Hall is the most widely used public comment platform for governments. Open Town Hall differs from other web-based discussion platforms in catering to government, ensuring that the dialogue is legal and civil.
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.
Developed by America Speaks, 21st Century Town Meetings connect citizens to official decision-makers and provide a facilitated process for people of different backgrounds to get involved in the public decision making process.