The Kyoto World Cities Challenge provides an open platform of expert counsel and peer support for cities anywhere wishing to attack these problems and in the process move toward being "Kyoto Compliant". It is orgnanized here as follows:

The Kyoto Challenge: (opening page of site)

1. Executive Summary & Program Introduction
• 200 Words (Program Abstract)
• Initial Letter of transmittal (16 February 2005)
• Kyoto Protocol (UNFCCC)
• "Empty Chair in Kyoto" (Program announcement)
• Initial Media Release (14 February 2005)
• Latest Kyoto Transport News
• Site Map
2. What's the Problem?
• It's a Public health challenge
• What's wrong with "Old Mobility"
• Initial Media Release (14 February 2005)
• New Mobility precursors
• World City Traffic On-line
3. Gearing for Action in 2005
• The International Advisory Panel
• Key Programs, Partners and Sources
• City Participation checklist
• City tools checklist
• Best Practices
• Further thoughts and Reflections
• Timetable and Events
• Your contribution
4. Networking and Contact Tools
• Challenge Essays & Panel Commentaries
• Panel Forum & Program Notices (private)
• Networking & Conferencing Tools
• Skype: Free IP Telephone
• SightSpeed: Easy video one-click connect
• Free Group Video and Audio Conferences
• How to get in touch

A quick word on this web site

What you find if you spend a bit of time here is that this little web site is not only the usual more or less static announcement of program and intentions, but -- or at least that is our intention -- a bit of a learning system that is intended to support your own work and efforts for sustainable cities, both in this contect and beyond. But learning of course takes a bit of time, so if you are feeling rushed today you may want to concntrate on the quicker information aspects, for which the above Site Map is a good guide.

In the event, what you learn here is not from any wise words that we may have written and then splayed before you, but rather from the several windows that the site helps to open on the world. There are, as you will see if you take a time, more than one.

One to us interesting example, is the collection of traffic cameras which allow you to click on hundreds of streets in cities around the world to see how they look right now. That has to be a creative experience for an open mind.

Likewise all the various interactive and sharing possibilities that you will find here. Whether it is something as straight-forward as the Kyoto Cities Essays and Comments, or the persistent nudges to push you to using more fully the very broad range of communications tools that are now at your disposal. What we can tell you about them -- and let's take just Skype IP phoning or SightSpeed video and voice conferencing as examples. Once you have factored them into your work habits, you will never go backward.

For the rest, you will be able to see and appreciate as you go along. It's 2005, most of our cities are adding significant percentages to their traffic and CO2 each year, so we had better be prepared to use all the tools we can lay our hands on if we wish to reverse these trends.