With all the attention given to new technology for improving building design and performance, it's easy to lose sight of the broader goal: creating not just one green building but entire sustainable cities.

In partnership with the Carbon Disclosure Project, Autodesk is trying to keep that longer view in focus with the development of an interactive map displaying the cities around world that are trying to fight climate change as participants in the CDP Cities program.

The map, which becomes available later today at http://www.cdpcitiesmap2011.com, displays the 43 cities that participated in the program's first questionnaire on greenhouse gas emissions and activities to counter climate change. The tool also displays the responses to the questionnaire. By clicking on the map, users can learn how the cities are addressing storm, drought, heat, flooding and other climate risks.

The idea, said Ben Thompson, sustainable business project manager for Autodesk, is to provide an easy way to understand complex data with the help of a visual tool. "You can jump on this map and see what a city is focusing on," said Thompson, adding that the map is intended to stir discussion and prompt more cities to become involved.

in 2010, the Carbon Disclosure Project expanded its voluntary program for companies to report GHG emissions to cities. The initial call was to the C40 Climate Leadership Group of the world's largest cities. Their responses are detailed in a report that was released last June and forms the basis for the map created by Autodesk.

The firm is one of several -- including IBM, Cisco and HOK -- that are working together to develop solutions to transform existing cities into sustainable ones. In addition to using its visualization technology to further the CDP Cities program, Autodesk also is helping the organization develop the questionnaire and has offered guidance to cities participating in the program.

The CDP recently sent out its questionnaire for 2012. "Last year 43 cities responded, this year they're aiming to get feedback from many, many more," Thompson said.

Images courtesy of Autodesk.