Smart Surfaces Decision Support Tool

Platform Update — February 27, 2026

An updated version of the DST was released on February 27, 2026.
The tool now includes new data layers and bug fixes. If you accessed it prior to this date, please refresh your browser to ensure you are viewing the latest version. Updated data download files reflecting this release will be published in mid-March 2026. Please check back soon for more information.
For questions, please email data@smartsurfacescoalition.org.

Mapping Portal

Map risks and opportunities to identify where Smart Surfaces can deliver the greatest impact—supporting data-driven policy, planning, and investment.

User Guide

Learn how to use the decision support tool.

Data Dictionary

Explore the datasets, descriptions, and sources that power the DST.

Download

Download some of the key data featured in the tool.

Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool

Run custom Smart Surface adoption scenarios at multiple geographic scales to analyze financial, environmental, and climate benefits of citywide transformation.

Policy Tracker

Search from 2,000+ existing policies and codes across the U.S. to design and optimize new city policies.

Reports

See other Smart Surfaces reports and research.

A Collaborative Effort to Advance Climate-Resilient Cities

As part of the Cities for Smart Surfaces Program, the Smart Surfaces Coalition has partnered with 10 U.S. cities to help civic leaders understand the benefits of Smart Surface strategies and support equitable, climate-resilient transformation across metropolitan regions. The Decision Support Tool was developed by the Trust for Public Land, in close collaboration with core data partners—World Resources Institute, Altostratus, Inc., Open Technologies, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health—and with guidance from participating cities and the broader Coalition network.

The Decision Support Tool combines geospatial data, climate modeling, socioeconomic indicators, and public health insights in one place, empowering stakeholders to assess how existing surfaces drive heat and flooding risk in frontline communities and identify high-impact opportunities for Smart Surface strategies. Spatial layers include land cover, tree canopy, surface reflectance (albedo), and modeled urban heat reductions, alongside demographic factors such as income, age, race, and health vulnerability. To explore the interactive features, click on the Mapping Portal link above.