TomorrowNow

Welcome to TomorrowNow, a project to put big data and sophisticated models into the hands of everyone in the Triangle region of North Carolina. Join us!

What is TomorrowNow?

TomorrowNow is a collaborative project led by four universities in North Carolina focused on developing a serious game that can help a greater number, and a greater diversity, of people affect decisions that impact the places where they live and work. We are using real spatial data and developing interactive technologies that can help build common understanding of challenges in the Triangle, and figure out how to address them.

Funded by the National Science Foundation (Award Number 1737563), our Research Coordination Network unites government officials, academic researchers, industry leaders and members of community groups and other organizations to co-develop a serious game that will tackle challenges related to rapid urbanization and stormwater management in the Triangle.

What has the project done so far?

Built a network of thought leaders

We want our project team to be as diverse and inclusive as possible, and we are always looking for new members! Meet our Research Collaboration Network, a growing number of partners on an Interdisciplinary Steering Committee and Stakeholder Advisory Board:

Universities: North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, North Carolina Central University
Municipalities: City of Raleigh, City of Durham, Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Cary, Wake County, Durham County, Orange County
Community and non-governmental organizations: South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative, Water Resources Research Institute

North Carolina State University

Ross Meentemeyer, Lead Principal Investigator (PI); director, Center for Geospatial Analytics;
expertise: geospatial analytics, urbanization modeling, sustainability solutions
Helena Mitasova, Co-PI; professor, Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences;
expertise: dynamic geosimulations, geovisualization, hydrological modeling
Corey White, Network Coordinator; Ph.D. student, Center for Geospatial Analytics;
expertise: GIS for local governments, software engineering
Tiffany Barnes; associate professor, Department of Computer Science;
expertise: serious games, artificial intelligence, advanced learning technologies
Emily Berglund; associate professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering;
expertise: complex adaptive systems, water infrastructure and engineering
Okan Pala; research associate, Center for Geospatial Analytics;
expertise: critical infrastructure and disaster response
Walter Robinson; professor, Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences;
expertise: climate variability and extreme precipitation events

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Todd BenDor, Co-PI; associate professor, Department of City and Regional Planning; expertise: urban growth, environmental planning, and markets for water resources
Danielle Spurlock; assistant professor, Department of City and Regional Planning;
expertise: city planning, public health, social justice
Andrew Yates; associate professor, Department of Economics;
expertise: environmental economics, pollution permit market design
Kathleen Gray; associate director, Environmental Resource Program at the UNC Institute of Environment;
expertise: environmental health, science education and engagement

Duke University

Emily Bernhardt; Co-PI; professor, Department of Biology;
expertise: watershed biogeochemistry, restoration, urban ecology
Dean Urban; professor of landscape ecology, Environmental Science and Policy Division of the Nicholas School of the Environment;
expertise: conservation planning, environmental management and policy
Megan Mullin; associate professor of environmental politics, Environmental Science and Policy Division of the Nicholas School of the Environment;
expertise: water management, policy, and governance
Michael Hensen; assistant director, Center on Globalization, Governance, and Competitiveness;
expertise: global change, public health, value chains

North Carolina Central University

Kevin Foy; Co-PI; associate professor, School of Law;
expertise: urban sustainability, land use law

Jim Alberque, GIS and Engagement Technology Manager, City of Raleigh – Information Technology
Dan Ault, Assistant Town Manager and Chief Innovation Officer, Town of Cary
Perver Baran, Teaching Associate Professor, Center for Geospatial Analytics, NC State University
Emily Barrett, Sustainability Manager, Town of Cary
Janet Cakir, NPS SER Climate Change, Socioeconomics, and Adaptation Coordinator, South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative
Randy Dodd, Stormwater Utility Manager, Town of Carrboro
Derek Gatlin, Proposal Developer, Proposal Development Unit, NC State University
Tom Fransen, Water Planning Section Chief, NC Department of Environmental Quality
Blair Hinkle, Assistant Department Director of Engineering Services, City of Raleigh – Engineering Services
Sally Hoyt, Stormwater Engineer, UNC-Chapel Hill Energy Services
Jamie Kritzer, Assistant Director of Communications, NCDOT Communications Department
Reid Serozi, Analytics and Innovation Manager, Town of Cary
Jamie Smedsmo, UNC Chapel Hill Energy Services
Adam Terando, Research Ecologist and Adjunct Professor, USGS and Department of Applied Ecology, NC State University
Carter Vickery, GIS System and Applications Supervisor, Wake County
Heath Wadsworth, Senior Engineer, Draper Aden Associates
Allison Weakley, Stormwater Analyst, Town of Chapel Hill Public Works Department, Stormwater Management Division
Susan White, Director, Water Resources Research Institute of the University of North Carolina

Want to join the conversation? Contact Network Coordinator Corey White!

Hosted two workshops to understand stormwater challenges

On May 16, 2018, over thirty project partners gathered at the Center for Geospatial Analytics for a kick-off workshop to discuss project goals and provide input on challenges and opportunities in the Triangle for stormwater management and civic engagement. We surveyed participants about their experiences and views and compiled their responses in a workshop report. Agree or disagree with anything in the report? We want to hear from you! Contact Network Coordinator Corey White and get access to the discussion on Slack.

On April 12, 2019, over thirty project partners again gathered at the Center for Geospatial Analytics to provide input for the development of the TomorrowNow prototype. Participants created fuzzy cognitive maps to serve as a basis for the game engine, identified stormwater problem areas in the Triangle and explored how to tackle these issues by collaboratively designing mini-games. A workshop report is forthcoming; until then, keep the conversation going on Slack!

Scenarios of development?

A collaboration between the Center for Geospatial Analytics and the City of Raleigh has already produced a revolutionary 3-D tool on the web called InVision Raleigh for visualizing urban planning alternatives.

Learn more

screenshot from a video about CommunitAR

Augmented reality?

CommunitAR, an augmented reality participatory mobile app developed by an NC State graduate student enables residents to virtually refine their neighborhoods, express their preferences and share their ideas.

Watch the video

Models of flooding?

Simulations of flooding can help people compare management actions and compare trade-offs between them. By assuming different stakeholder roles in the game (e.g., a civil engineer or housing developer), players can discover how their actions affect others and how to build win-win outcomes.

View a simulation

What’s next?

Keep brainstorming with us!

Thank you to all who attended the dynamic brainstorming workshop on April 12, 2019. Let’s keep talking on Slack! Remember to introduce yourself on the #introductions channel, keep exploring stormwater issues in the #challenges channel and chime in on your team channels.

Questions? Contact Network Coordinator Corey White.

How can I get involved?

Can’t make it to a workshop? There are still plenty of ways to contribute to the TomorrowNow project. Do as much or as little as you like!

NEW: Sign up for the beta!

Are you an early adopter? Enjoy playing with experimental beta versions of new technologies? Get in on the ground floor of TomorrowNow by signing up to test our forthcoming beta!

Join the Stakeholder Advisory Board

Do you represent a community of people whose interests and needs should be heard at planning workshops and goal-setting meetings? Does your community have expertise in stormwater management or is directly impacted by it? Contact Network Coordinator Corey White to join the Stakeholder Advisory Board! Each member of the board is invited to in-person gatherings and automatically receives a login to TomorrowNow on Slack, the online forum that keeps discussion going between meetings.

Attend Public Symposiums

In the future, the Research Collaboration Network will host public symposiums open to anyone who wants to attend. At these symposiums, the Interdisciplinary Steering Committee and Stakeholder Advisory Board will present project progress, share the latest research related to serious games, and seek feedback from attendees.

Join TomorrowNow on Slack

Don’t have time to attend workshops or symposiums? No problem! The Research Collaboration Network maintains an online space for constructive discussion called TomorrowNow on Slack. This online forum hosts project updates and reports as well as discussion threads. We invite anyone interested in the project to contact Corey White to join the conversation. Make your voice heard by posting comments, or simply listen to what others have to say!

Untangling the Complexity of Stormwater Problems

Research led by Geospatial Analytics Ph.D. student Corey White modeled stakeholders’ perceptions of flooding problems and solutions in the Triangle Region of North Carolina to inform the development of an innovative serious game called TomorrowNow.

Triangle Smart Cities Summit

The 2019 Triangle Smart Cities Summit presented by the City of Raleigh and NC State University took place Oct. 16 at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Using Big Data to Boost Public Engagement in Urban Planning

Imagine solving urban problems by playing a game online with your neighbors. Researchers at the Center for Geospatial Analytics are making urban planning a lot more fun these days, with a participatory approach.

Participants at the TomorrowNow workshop

Second Workshop Moves Project Forward

On April 12, 2019 over thirty project partners again gathered at the Center for Geospatial Analytics to provide input for the development of the TomorrowNow prototype serious game. Thank you to all for your valuable input and innovative ideas!

First Workshop a Success

NSF Grant Funds Smart City Research to Tackle Regional Problems with Serious Games

With NSF funding, a research team led by Center for Geospatial Analytics director Ross Meentemeyer unites four universities in the Triangle and regional stakeholders to develop a serious game for stormwater management.