A New Online Tool for Charting a Path to Sustainability

A new interactive research tool will make it easier for communities to build sustainability into their urban development plans.

1 minute read

July 1, 2018, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


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."

Thursday, May 31, 2018 in vizzuality

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A coal power plant in Iowa billows smoke into the air.

Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand

For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.

7 hours ago - Inside Climate News

A sign on a fence describing the rain garden behind it.

NYC cools commuters with city's first rain garden above a bus stop

New York City officials say the plants in the rain garden can absorb 16 gallons of rainwater during heavy storms.

September 17 - Gothamist

A map showing Brightline West's intended route from  Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga, California.

Brightline West’s future may rely on $6 billion federal loan

The company has until Nov. 2 to make a $400 million equity investment into its proposed high-speed rail line.

September 17 - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.