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Hello BEST members, In light of our Urban Planning/Architecture theme this week I dug up some information on how organizations are attempting to make building eco-friendly structures easier for citizens. Flux is a Google X project that aims to let the building industry design eco-friendly building by utilizing 'big data' and letting the technology do a lot of the work. The software will include data sources on building codes and regulations, specifics about different building materials, software to calculate emissions and energy usage, and basic tools to design buildings all specific to the user's location. In the USA, buildings account for 40% of total gas emissions. Flux could therefore become a tool to reduce this percentage by making it easier for builders and the general public to make building for energy efficient. If it is easier and more convenient to be eco-friendly, people are more likely to do it. Flux is set to come out with their first product in 2015. "Flux Emerges From Google X And Nabs $8M To Help Build Eco-Friendly Buildings" by Ingrid Lunden 05/06/14 techcrunch.com http://techcrunch.com/2014/05/06/flux-the-first-startup-to-spin-out-of-google-x-nabs-8m-for-its-eco-home-building-platform/ Thank you, Luiza Costa Undergraduate Intern 2014 BioEnergy & Sustainability School Soil and Water Science Department [log in to unmask]