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The Crisis Called for Goats

Paige Williams

May 20, 2019 |

The New Yorker |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

It turns out goats may be the answer to addressing invasive species. In Manhattan’s Riverside Park, a herd of goats were hired to to eat weeds, ivy, and nonnative species in an attempt to restore the balance of the ecosystem. The herd of goats, owned by Larry and Ann Cihanek, have been trained to do this specific type of work across the northeast.

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From bleak to bustling: how one French town solved its high street crisis

Angelique Chrisafis

May 20, 2019 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: France, Mulhouse

Mulhouse, a small city in France, brushed off its negative reputation and used community networking, clever financing, and urban renewal as tools to become a bustling center once again. The town relied on many community associations and local voices to grow their economy; now, the city has more shops opening than closing.

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Termite and ventilation system

Patrick Aryee

May 20, 2019 |

BBC |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Zimbabwe, Harare

Buildings with permeable surfaces increase energy efficiency, mimicking natural structures. In Harare, Zimbabwe, the Eastgate Centre employs methods borrowed from termite mound construction to efficiently regulate the building's temperature. By employing insights that scientists had gained by studying the airflow in termite mounds, the Centre’s architects used materials with a high thermal mass, increased surface area, and maximized ventilation.

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What Mansfield can learn from the brand Marion made, Fargo's frost-themed festival and Ohio's wee bit of Irish attitude

Tracy Geibel

May 17, 2019 |

Richland Source |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mansfield, Ohio

Mansfield, Ohio leaders look to cities across the country for inspiration from successes - and lessons from failures - to help them rebuild their downtown brand. From Austin, Texas, to Fargo, South Dakota, these successful cities offer examples of initiatives that have funded revitalization and economic growth in their own city centers by way of community engagement and trust among leaders.

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Cañada Cove COPEs with disaster planning

Libby Leyden

May 15, 2019 |

Half Moon Bay Review |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, San Mateo, California

San Mateo County’s coastside residents have created their own, volunteer-based disaster response system. Considering that they make up just 5% of the county’s population, and are just as much at risk for natural disasters like wildfires, flooding, and landslides, they recognized that they had to be proactive in the event that help and resources would be limited in such an event. The Cañada Cove Community Association developed a localized plan for disaster preparedness, including manuals, communication systems, and a database of residents that provides information on the specialized needs of citizens.

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An urban ‘butterfly experience' in Sri Lanka

Dilrukshi Handunnetti

May 15, 2019 |

Mongabay |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Sri Lanka, Moratuwa, Colombo

What was once the garbage dump of a clothing company in Sri Lanka is now the site of an urban butterfly garden. Dilmah Conservation and naturalist Rajika Gamage created the open air garden in 2011 to conserve endangered butterflies without actually keeping any species in captivity. Over 90 native plants were planted, and the garden now receives visits from over 50 different butterfly species. The sanctuary also serves as an educational resource to help stress the importance of the diversity of these insects as an indicator of the health of the habitat.

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Oakland tries a new way to prioritize city improvement projects: by considering equity

Katey Rusch

May 14, 2019 |

Oakland North |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

The city of Oakland reviewed the process for distributing city funds in order to efficiently address equity in community projects. Oakland officials and community members created a scoring system that ranks each project based on equity, health & safety, and more, relying on a larger picture of impact the project could have on surrounding populations.

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Fish Below Your Feet and Other Solutions for a Living Harbor

Tyee Bridge

May 14, 2019 |

Hakai Magazine |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Around the world, scientists are eco-engineering urban waterfront areas to encourage marine species diversity. Seattle’s Central Waterfront area was recently enhanced with a textured and angled concrete sea wall to encourage the growth of algae and invertebrates, a built-up seafloor to attract juvenile salmon who like shallow water, and light penetrating glass bricks in the sidewalk, which boost seaweed growth and entice shade-avoidant salmon smolts. The project also enhances the human experience with more pedestrian access, better storm water management, and a new pier park with direct water access.

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City with a female face: how modern Vienna was shaped by women

Elle Hunt

May 14, 2019 |

The Guardian |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Austria, Vienna

Vienna, Austria uses a tactic called "gender mainstreaming" to ensure that urban planning equally takes into account lives of women and men around the city. While architecture and urban planning have traditionally been male-dominated industries, Vienna actively incorporates alternative opinions and lifestyles into their city infrastructure. The Austrian capital has been pioneering ‘gender mainstreaming’ for nearly 30 years. How did the city come to be so far ahead – and could its gains be lost?

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Designing the Butterfly-Friendly City

Allison C. Meier

May 13, 2019 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

As the monarch butterfly nears endangerment, cities across the US are integrating butterfly-friendly spaces into their urban environments. Such spaces reside in schools, firehouses, parks, and more, and they enable the butterfly to rest, feed, pollinate, and procreate at any stage in their lifecycle. St. Louis in particular already has over 400 monarch gardens and have ample evidence of public support for the projects.

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