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Inside Greece's first smart city: 'Now you don't need to know a politician to get something done'

Venetia Rainey

September 04, 2018 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Greece, Trikala

To improve government services and fight brain drain, the Greek city of Trikala transformed itself into a hub of innovation. Rather than spend money the city didn’t have, officials partnered with the EU and tech companies to host pilot projects, including driverless buses and an e-complaint system. Trikala is now recognized as one of the world’s top smart cities.

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The First Quieter Megacity, Thanks to Electric Vehicles

Blake Schmidt

August 30, 2018 |

Bloomberg |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: China, Shenzhen

Massive investment in electric vehicles has reduced noise and air pollution in China. The megacity of Shenzhen, for example, is surprisingly quiet with its fleet of electric buses and ban on gas-powered motorcycles. However, the country’s reliance on coal means that EVs still plug into a dirty grid.

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No helmets, no problem: how the Dutch created a casual biking culture

David Roberts

August 28, 2018 |

Vox |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Netherlands

Most people in Holland ride a bicycle every week thanks to a widespread public commitment to a biking culture and infrastructure where everyone feels welcome. That includes very visible dedicated bike paths designed for the most sedate cyclist, courses teaching children safe cycling skills, and connections to combine biking and transit. Most Dutch don't need helmets because rather than making bicyclists dress to confront danger, the country has made the environs safer for cyclists.

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Why your favorite bench might be there to thwart a terrorist attack

Katherine Shaver

August 27, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

How do you make a public space inviting so people will gather, but also safe from the growing danger of attackers using vehicles to ram large numbers of people? Many cities have responded to such attacks with concrete bollards and other barriers. But designers and architects are increasingly innovating other options that protect people via planters, fountains, trees, bike racks, steps and traffic calming designs to stop or slow down vehicles.

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It's Electric Moped Time, America

John Surico

August 06, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Revel, a new electric scooter startup, is taking Brooklyn by storm. In an era of increasing shared mobility options, the e-scooter is carving out its niche as a faster option than bikes but a more accessible option than cars. Parking is easy and it doesn’t make much noise, improving the riding experience. It still remains to be seen whether users in New York will adopt this, and the company founders see Brooklyn as a test run before expanding.

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Carefully-planned mobility makes transportation accessible for all

Sarah Rigg

August 03, 2018 |

Detroit Driven |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Detroit, the original Motor City, needs to adapt to mobility changes and think beyond cars - and the city is doing just that. The city is increasingly offering “blended” transportation models, including public transport, cars, bike shares, electric scooters, and more. Leaders are advocating for a social justice approach to transportation. By focusing on including low-income communities, the city will do better socially and economically. From a system that provides non-emergency transport for medical appointments to “SMART” bus routes, Detroit remains a leader in mobility.

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Bellevue builds its first downtown bike lane. But there's a catch

Michelle Baruchman

August 01, 2018 |

The Seattle Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Bellevue, Washington

Bellevue’s pilot bike lane project is starting slow and ready for feedback. By beginning the project with less than a mile of bike lanes downtown, the city made sure to brand it as a pilot, hoping to measure results and adapt accordingly. Also, the Bellevue Downtown Association had a clear voice in expectations for any bike lane project, all of which were met in the initial pilot. The city hopes that bringing on board urban planners, city council, and the downtown association will increase chances of long-term success.

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The Upside of Underpasses

Rob Turner

August 01, 2018 |

Sactown Magazine |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada, Toronto

After the success of New York City’s High Line, several cities have tried to emulate that success with a twist--by transforming underpasses below highways into activated space for the community. Toronto’s Bentway offers an ice skating rink, art, and music, and Seattle’s I-5 Colonnade has a mountain bike course. Miami is on an ambitious plan to launch the Underline, a 10-mile stretch of bike and walking trails. Cities like Sacramento are hoping to emulate these success stories.

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Lyft will pay you $550 to ditch your car for a month

Andrew J. Hawkins

July 31, 2018 |

The Verge |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Ride-sharing company Lyft is testing an experiment: they are offering $550 to 100 city residents who agree to give up their own car for one month. The $550 will come in the form of Lyft ride credit, a bike-share stipend, money toward Zipcar, and the rest toward the local public transportation train system. This is part of a greater discussion over whether personal car ownership will become obsolete; Lyft is betting the answer is yes. The company argues for the environmental and economic benefits of ride-sharing, and this test will help support that claim.

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Equity Makes Bike-Sharing Work, and Other Bike-Share Guidelines for Cities

Rachel Kaufman

July 23, 2018 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

New guidelines to help cities manage bike-share programs, based on feedback from 60 cities, could be the key to success for dockless vehicles. The guidelines include recommendations about permits and fines, ways to consider equity programs, and a reference guide to what cities are currently doing in this space. The idea is that, by planning ahead and being deliberate, cities can maximize the benefit that dockless vehicles bring to their cities while regulating any negatives.

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