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Dealing with blight complaints requires new approach, Memphis says

Greg Barnes

February 22, 2014 |

Fayetteville Observer |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Memphis, Tennessee

In Memphis, a creative blight-reduction initiative called 25 Square Blocks broke down the city into blocks. Inspectors were able to quickly identify all the violations and fix them, using the same amount of funding, but less time, as the old call-and-respond model.

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Cities in motion: how slime mould can redraw our rail and road maps

David Parr

February 18, 2014 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Japan, Tokyo

The twenty-first century city is a complex organism, and simulating it to anticipate traffic and transportation congestions can be problematic for urban planning. Researchers around the world from Japan to England have used slime models to simulate traffic and transportation patterns, observing realistic growths, congestions, and re-routing opportunities. Biomimicry demonstrates an unconventional but useful process to understand the pulse of the urban environment.

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Preparing for Disaster by Betting Against It

Georgia Levenson Keohane

February 12, 2014 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, necessity has bred an interesting kind of financial invention for the New York MTA: the world’s first “catastrophe” bond - a reinsurance for the insurer - designed to protect public transportation infrastructure, specifically against storm surge. These bonds privatize risk for public gain, creating a kind of tool that may protect economic development against all kinds of natural and man-made disasters around the world.

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The Robots That Saved Pittsburgh

Glenn Thrush

February 04, 2014 |

Politico |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Pittsburgh

Post-industrial cities can re-platform their economies by fostering institutions that drive innovation and attract both financial and human capital. By promoting long-term collaboration between universities, cultural institutions, and entrepreneurs, Pittsburgh has undergone a three-decade-long urban reinvention. With Carnegie Mellon University as an anchor, the city’s robotics research sector has attracted investment from government projects and venture capital, creating a ripple effect of growth and urban development.

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Smaller-Town Startups: 'Stopping the Brain Drain' in South Carolina

James Fallows

January 25, 2014 |

The Atlantic |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Greenville, South Carolina

The "Next" Project in Greenville, South Carolina brings local government and companies together to create a business incubator to encourage new startups to launch -- and stay -- in the area. One such business, called the Iron Yard, acts as a sort of code academy, offering a 3-month bootcamp and guaranteeing that graduates of their program will find a job in the industry. So far, they've followed through on that guarantee.

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Education in Indian Country: Obstacles and Opportunity

Lesli A. Maxwell Megan Garner Swikar Patel

December 04, 2013 |

Education Week |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oglala, South Dakota

Native American student graduation rates are much lower than that of any other demographic. The Red Cloud school teaches students on a reservation in South Dakota about the Lakota history to empower the kids and encourage resilience.

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Health law outreach to Asian Americans lags

Ankita Rao

November 23, 2013 |

Kaiser Health News |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Rockville, Maryland

In the United States approximately 15% Asian-Americans have no health insurance and have had a difficulty understanding the options available in the Affordable Care Act. Although the White House has reached out to Asian-Americans in video chats, the state and community forums for Asian Americans have proved to be the most successful. Interpreter teams help Asian-Americans with the paperwork and understanding the policies.

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Using Giant Mirrors to Light up Dark Valleys

Alan Taylor

October 22, 2013 |

The Atlantic |

Photojournalism |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Norway, Rjukan

Small towns located deep in the valleys of steep mountains, like Rjukan, Norway, and Viganella, Italy, can be cut off from sunlight for almost half a year but computer-controlled mirrors are helping to change that. The tailor-made, computer-driven motors on giant mirrors track sunlight throughout the day.

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How Utah Turned Its Unpopular Public Transit System Into a Hit

Eric Jaffe

October 21, 2013 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Utah

In the 1990s, Utah residents spoke out against a proposed light rail system. Just two decades later, the TRAX light rail system was completed early and under budget, with abundant community support. The Utah Transit Authority was able to accomplish this by working with local officials and planning groups; finding multiple funding streams; and clearly communicating the benefits of the light rail.

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How to Design a City for Women

Clare Foran

September 06, 2013 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Australia, Vienna

Gender mainstreaming is the practice of creating “laws, rules and regulations that benefit men and women equally. The goal is to provide equal access to city resources.” Since the 90s the city of Vienna has adopted this into their urban planning, building things like apartment complexes for women, parks, and public transit that takes into consideration a women’s routine. In total, more than 60 projects to date have been built around this concept. “Once you’ve analyzed the patterns of use of public space, you start to define the needs and interests of the people using it," she explains. "Then planning can be

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