Virtual tools for complex problems: an overview of the Atlas^NW regional interactive sustainability atlas for planning for sustainable development.

Abstract

Atlas^NW Regional Interactive Sustainability Atlas project allows users to explore the north-west region of England both within the present as a gateway to fostering a greater understanding of developmental issues (Explorer) and also into the future using a scenario model based on the Canadian QUEST software (FutureQUEST). The final prototype model will consist of an urban development, resources, transport and air emissions module together with the necessary economic model framework and will be targeted at two principal audiences: regional policymakers; and the general public through a user-friendly awareness-raising tool. This paper focuses on the development of the initial urban development module and offers some preliminary observations from the work to date.

Keywords:

• sustainable development
• scenario modelling
• geographical information systems