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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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Global initiatives focus on child-friendly spaces

Beth Amato

August 24, 2018 |

Business Day |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: South Africa, Johannesburg

Some urban planners argue that urban spaces should be designed around children because that makes a livable, walkable space for everyone, and also contributes to healthy early brain development. Several initiatives are underway in and around Johannesburg, South Africa to redesign public spaces and make them more welcoming. At least one community group is working with children, teenagers and people who work with children to identify places that could be improved for better child protection.

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The Other Side of “Broken Windows”

Eric Klinenberg

August 23, 2018 |

The New Yorker |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

By cleaning up thousands of abandoned buildings and vacant lots, the city of Philadelphia caused sharp declines in violence and other crime in a program that has become a model for cities nationwide. The cleanup program became the subject of two long-term experiments comparing the "treated" buildings and lots to those that remained signs of blight. In one study, gun violence dropped 39% in and around cleaned-up buildings. The 5% decline associated with cleaned-up vacant lots was much smaller but still meaningful. Neighbors praised the sense of safety they gained in the improved areas.

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A Divided Neighborhood Comes Together under an Elevated Expressway

Katy Reckdahl

August 20, 2018 |

Next City |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

Community organizing may be the key to a comeback along New Orleans’ Claiborne Avenue. Once home to a booming block of African American-owned businesses, many left once a new expressway demolished the street in the 1960s. Now, community input is essential in rebuilding. A new master plan included 11 meetings with residents to share their priorities. The painted murals, live jazz performances, and local gatherings still happening show that the Claiborne Corridor will remain home to its long-time residents, even in a new format.

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How Trees Can Cool Dallas's Concrete Jungle

Linda Poon

August 20, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

In a Dallas neighborhood, environmental organizations are teaming up to plant a tree canopy that will address multiple environmental and public health concerns, while also cooling down the city's urban heat island effect. The solution is focused on helping those who are most vulnerable: seniors, minority residents, and students.

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A Huge Win for Keeping Water Systems under Public Control

Dharna Noor

August 17, 2018 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Voting to approve the prohibition of privatizing the city water system was just the most recent success in Baltimore's history of keeping the water system under public ownership. Through efforts pioneered by the city's various communities coming together, the city itself has turned into a model for others to learn from.

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For Women, by Women: A Sisterhood of Carpenters Builds Tiny Houses for the Homeless

Lornet Turnbull

August 17, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Women4Women is an initiative that brings tradeswomen together in the construction field to do volunteer work for others. Since women represent just ten percent of construction workers in the United States, having the camaraderie and support of other women provides a place to turn when their authority is challenged. They are putting their skills to good work: the group recently built 15 tiny homes in Seattle that will act as emergency shelter for homeless women, and they have also repaired homes for the elderly.

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Books in their hand, dreams in their head: Community library project changes kids

Kasturika Ramamoorthy

August 17, 2018 |

Citizen Matters |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: India, New Delhi

The Community Library Project exemplifies that books should be accessible to all. In Delhi, where there are insufficient libraries, and the ones that exist are often not welcoming, this library initiative has increased excitement about literacy. It has also empowered local youth through leadership opportunities on the Student Council. By not charging any fees and instead allowing kids to volunteer rather than pay fines, the leaders of the library believe this model can and should be replicated throughout the region.

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New Orleans floods with heavy rainstorms. Magnolias could be part of the solution

Joseph Darius Jaafari

August 17, 2018 |

NationSwell |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana is infamously known as a place of cultural celebration and community, but it's also a city plagued by consistent flooding. To reduce the impacts of heavy rainfall, one city-backed initiative is incentivizing people to replace their anti-absorbent concrete with plants and flowers that are designed to take in large amounts of water.

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Los Angeles Will Be the First City to Use Body Scanners on Subways. Which Could Be Next?

J. Brian Charles

August 16, 2018 |

Governing |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

The Transportation Security Administration has partnered with cities across the country to bring body scanners to metro stops and rail stations. While heralded as an efficient way to check crowds for weapons, body scanners have raised concern among privacy advocates.

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