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Triumph of the commons: how public spaces can help fight loneliness

Julia Hotz

November 19, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Cambridgeshire

Loneliness has become a valid public health problem. Too often, a lack of public spaces means people seeking connection have no place to gather. Luckily, a trend of creating public spaces has been able to prevent loneliness in the first place. From People’s Kitchen in the UK to hundreds of government-sponsored shared spaces in Australia, this preventative measure just might work.

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The Largest Indoor Recreational Space in Chicago, and So Much More

Oscar Perry Abello

November 15, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

In Chicago, where seasons as well as subpar local investment in the South Side limit children’s ability to play outside year-round, the new Pullman Community Center is a huge improvement. Beyond fostering recreational opportunities for youth, the community center employed over 200 people, mostly local residents, in its construction. Best of all, “It was a key component to have the whole thing owned, operated and managed by a local group that looks like the community,” says local Alderman Anthony Beale. They succeeded.

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What If Hip Hop Can Make Architecture and Planning Better?

Audrey F. Henderson

November 06, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Madison, Wisconsin

Kids will be the ones carrying out the effects of current city planning efforts. To get kids involved in city planning at a young age, Michael Ford started a series of “Hip Hop Architecture Camps.” By teaching about building, development, and neighborhoods through the lens of hip hop music, young people could engage creatively and connect to the process. The camps now takes many forms and have spread internationally.

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A New York City Park Built to Weather a Storm

Karim Doumar

November 01, 2018 |

Pacific Standard |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Hunters Point South Park, a newly built park in Queens, NY, is functioning as a community space even before the addition of low- and middle- income housing slated for the area. But even more than that, the park has already proven that its storm resilient design is efficient and necessary.

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The subway helped segment Atlanta; soccer at its stations may help unite it

Patrik Jonsson

October 29, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Atlanta, Georgia

The new Atlanta United soccer team has brought excitement and community to many areas of the city - but perhaps the most unusual spot is public transport stops. “Station soccer” now is activating spaces at two MARTA transit stations, and many more are in development. Making soccer accessible is just one part. The next step could be adding things like farmers markets to MARTA stops. It is clear that soccer in Atlanta has helped fans, children, and public transit users alike.

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Fixing Montreal's Raccoon Problem

Emma Jacobs

October 26, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Canada, Montreal, Quebec

Feeding the raccoons in Montreal’s Mount Royal Park was a tourist activity promoted by websites and supported by park vendors selling cat food. When the result was overpopulation of raccoons unafraid of people, steps were taken to protect the raccoons including banning vendors and educating tourists about their impact.

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Lafayette Trades Oil for Cajun Songcraft to Drive Economy

Gregory Scruggs

October 19, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Lafayette, Louisiana

Layette is replatforming itself to embrace local culture over a dangerous oil dependency. CREATE, a voter-approved initiative in the city, funds cultural events and festivals to create new economic drivers and to promote the cultural legacy of the region. The fund draws upon money designated from a larger pool of surplus property tax revenue, as well as from philanthropic donations.

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Colorado's explosive outdoor industry growth is emerging as global model

Jason Blevins

October 19, 2018 |

The Colorado Sun |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Denver, Colorado

Outdoor recreation offices, started and spread by Luis Benitez, are growing from Colorado to Puerto Rico to potentially even Panama. By focusing on spurring economic development and job growth, promoting health, and helping the environment, the movement for outdoor recreation is succeeding. The initiative is especially helpful in Puerto Rico, a place where effective and creative ways to help the economy in the wake of Hurricane Maria are welcomed.

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What Democratic Design Looks Like

Barbara Brown Wilson

October 12, 2018 |

CoLab Radio |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

In the Denby neighborhood of Detroit, the “Detroit Future City” framework led to a community-driven project to improve safety and schools. First, community organizers created the Denby Neighborhood Alliance. They next improved the high school curriculum, transformed a playground, and highlighted safer walking routes for children. “The power of the Denby project lies in the fact that it was rooted in, and driven by, neighborhood residents—not outside ‘saviors.’”

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Underneath This 'Pop-Up Forest' Is an Abandoned Highway

Alan Greenblatt

October 01, 2018 |

Governing |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Akron, Ohio

When the Innerbelt, a freeway in Ohio, was discontinued, a designer named Hunter Frank threw a party to liven up the space. From there, he pushed to transform it to a permanent greenspace. “There’s value in simply letting people use a space and allowing their behavior to inform a more permanent plan,” reporter Alan Greenblatt writes. While local governments often focus on planning and details, the success of the “Innerbelt National Forest” can be attributed to experimentation: kids playing alongside live music and trees may be what allows the “forest” to stay.

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