Dr. Sarah Lindley,

This paper centres on research associated with FutureQUEST, one of a suite of projects under the umbrella of Altas that aim to investigate and model a range of development processes operating within the North West region of England. The project, funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), focuses on the development of a Regional Interactive Sustainability Model which, like the Canadian QUEST model on which it is based, uses an Integrated Assessment, scenario-based approach to allow users to design and explore a myriad of possible futures for the region. The prototype model will consist of an urban development, resources, transport and air emissions module together with the necessary economic model framework. It is aimed at two principal audiences, firstly regional policy makers through providing the facility to investigate and assess different policy options and secondly the general public through providing a user-friendly awareness-raising tool. The software uses an extensive GIS-based database of spatial information about the North West which is also used to produce a series of 3D visualisations of regional and sub-regional data layers and animations of related development processes.