The SURE Atlas – a Knowledge Synthesizer for Urban Sustainability Research

The paper introduces the tool “SURE Atlas”, an interactive knowledge bank that is to structure and activate the knowledge generated within a large-scale research program dedicated to the “Sustainable development of Urban Regions” (SURE). As part of the synthesis and facilitation research accompanying the research program, a novel “synthesizer” tool was created in order to support the collection and usage of a multitude of scientific findings on a broad range of themes and topics in urban research. Targeting the active generation of new knowledge from a rich pool of project data and information, the synthesizer bases on the cognitive processes determining scientific knowledge work. The authors argue that synthesis is a key process for consolidating insights from diverse knowledge sources, particularly in complex and explorative research. The paper outlines a conceptual framework for the Synthesizer, its proposed system architecture (including a "Minimal Viable Synthesizer"), and the ongoing development process. The overarching goal is to create a tool that structures research findings, enables easy access, facilitates deep analysis, links information for new insights, and ultimately supports future urban sustainability research and policy-making. For this end, the conceptual hierarchy Data – Information – Knowledge (“Knowledge Pyramid”) was used as a point of departure, eventually leading to a technical solution comprising a number of information dashboards, project analytics, as well network visualizations that comprehend the thematic evolution of the SURE research program, its actors and projects. The paper introduces the overall functional composition of the tool and discusses the conceptual fundaments that have informed the tooling process and implementation.