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Platform is a new magazine-style site with more than 40 contributors which has been launched to share knowledge and opinions on sustainability across Greater Manchester.

The site has been established by a partnership, looking to assist Greater Manchester in working towards a more sustainable future by linking 'good ideas with great people' and organisations.

Developed in late 2013 and now officially live the site boasts more than 100 articles, essays and reports.

Covering social, cultural, economic and environmental sustainability stories around major reports, events and initiatives that are specific to the region, recent articles have explored HS2 and Manchester’s plans for Geothermal energy. Developed in late 2013 and now officially live the site boasts more than 100 articles, essays and reports.

Writers and contributors are from a wide range of backgrounds, including journalists, academics, politicians, the voluntary sector, community groups  and business leaders.

The audience for Platform is decision makers in business, government and the third sector in Greater Manchester although it has been designed and written to appeal to a wider audience to bridge the gap between those who govern and those who live and work in the region.

Funded by Mistra Urban Futures, the University of Salford Manchester and communications agency, Creative Concern, future plans for the website include commissioning community reporters, a special series of articles on sustainability and the arts, a library for downloadable reports and intelligence and more video material.

Steve Connor, CEO of Creative Concern, said: "Greater Manchester like many global cities can play a pivotal part in helping to create a more sustainable future, but that can't happen unless we work collaboratively.

“To do that, we need a common understanding and a way to share knowledge and become true activists for sustainability.

“There is already an amazing array of social and environmental projects across the city and yet they have nowhere to showcase that work and share it with a Greater Manchester-wide audience; we hope Platform will help make that happen."

Knowledge to address complex urban problems – such as food poverty or climate change – isn’t owned by any one organisation.

Beth Perry, Associate Director of SURF and Director of the Greater Manchester Local Interaction Platform, based at the University of Salford Manchester, said:

“Knowledge to address complex urban problems – such as food poverty or climate change – isn’t owned by any one organisation. We need to combine knowledge from different places – within and outside universities – and increase the visibility and voice of different stakeholders seeking to transform our urban spaces.

“We know there are limits to digital technology, but there is a huge opportunity to see how new technologies can improve transparency and communication about sustainability in Greater Manchester.”

Mistra Urban Futures is examining urban sustainability in a number of global city regions, including Greater Manchester, Cape Town and Gothenburg, finding new ways to share knowledge. Partners in the project also include the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and its Low Carbon Hub (formerly the GM Environment Commission) and the Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organizations.