Wanted: Better Tools for Climate Modeling and Land Use

Flint writes, "Metropolitan regions across the country are now aligning growth plans with that one goal in mind–reduced emissions in both redevelopment and new development, linking land use, urban form, and transportation to help head off the planetary emergency. Good tools to help decision-makers at the local and regional level, however, are only beginning to emerge.

This is work in the trenches, and planners need help. Now more than ever, they need to rely on modeling and forecasts to make sure standards, guidelines, rules and regulations will get the most bang for the buck. There’s no point in making requirements that don’t truly result in emissions reductions, through lower vehicle miles traveled (VMT) or other means."