Iowa State University and city of Des Moines partner on big data research project
Author: nicolerh
AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University and the city of Des Moines have teamed up on a big data research project that could transform the way cities handle sustainability and mitigate climate change, particularly in marginalized neighborhoods.
The ISU researchers are developing a prototype decision-making tool that integrates data-driven science and human behavior to address environmental and social challenges, said Ulrike Passe, the lead faculty investigator. Passe is an associate professor of architecture and director of the Center for Building Energy Research.
“There’s so much unrelated data available — from census and economic information to policy studies and weather records — but it needs to be merged into a useable model,” she said. “At the same time, we need to gather new data on how people operate their buildings and how the urban context impacts those buildings.”