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São Paulo Is Betting Better Urban Planning Can Solve a Housing Crisis

Catesby Holmes

February 08, 2016 |

Next City |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Brazil, São Paulo

The Western Hemisphere’s biggest city has developed a model blueprint for progressive housing policy in developing countries, in large part by affirming squatters' rights and demanding a certain percentage of low-income housing in new developments.

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Columbia church helps end homelessness one condo at a time

Andrew Michaels

December 22, 2015 |

Columbia Flier |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Columbia, Maryland

Frustrated with providing temporary assistance to the homeless, a coalition of Howard County, Maryland churches raised money to purchase a condominium to permanent house a homeless family. The tenant pays 30 percent of their income as rent and the coalition covers the cost of fees and services.

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Housing deals boost Midtown's revival in Detroit

Matt Helms

November 01, 2015 |

Detroit Free Press |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Five years ago, Detroit created a program called Live Midtown to encourage business growth and homeownership in the area. The aim of bringing more people to live in the neighborhood has been exceedingly successful, and data shows a racially and economically diverse group of people have moved to Midtown. The funders of housing incentives now need to decide whether they will continue to fund the program.

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Recycled Kitchens, Salvaged Splendor

Tim McKeough

August 21, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Staten Island, New York

Renovating and furnishing a home can be hugely expensive. Homeowners who are renovating on a budget, and want to do so in a way that is evironmentally friendly, can find recycled luxury kitchens and other lightly used fixtures at stores like Green Demolitions.

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Repurposing historic buildings on Detroit's medical campuses

MJ Galbraith

July 14, 2015 |

Model D |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Two local hospital systems have worked diligently to balance the preservation of the historic character of their campuses with the need to keep their facilities state-of-the-art. Communities have chosen to repurpose old medical buildings instead of demolishing them and losing the history of the site.

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Making Wood Without Trees

Brandon Lisy

April 13, 2015 |

Bloomberg |

Video |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Green Island, New York

Using mycelium from mushrooms offers a sustainable and biodegradable alternative to synthetic polymers. Mushrooms produce a natural structure that can be used in building and construction, in lieu of plastics or processed wood products that often contain urea-formaldehyde or other harmful bonding agents. Ecovative Design uses a mushroom-based material to create products ranging from packing to furniture.

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Ajo, Arizona: Oasis in the Desert

Deborah Fallows

April 01, 2015 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Ajo, Arizona

Redeveloping and repurposing unused real estate provides a path toward economic revitalization. With a combination of public and private grants, the nonprofit group, International Sonoran Desert Alliance (ISDA), has purchased and redeveloped real estate in the town of Ajo, Arizona. The renovated town plaza and Curley School complex contain retail spaces, artist studios, and even house community gardens of the Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

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How cities are searching for solutions among massive mounds of data

John Lorinc

February 20, 2015 |

The Globe and Mail |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

New York City suffered from fires that erupted in overcrowded, run-down apartments. Then the city sleuthed through residential records and found that landlords who foreclosed let their properties fall apart and ignored safety-code violations. Greater Toronto wants to expand upon New York City’s method by using transportation surveys, census data and computer data to build transit lines.

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How the Arts Drove Pittsburgh's Revitalization

John Tierney

December 11, 2014 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Investments into the arts serve as significant economic catalysts. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, legacy foundations like the Heinz Endowments, Benedum Foundation, and Richard King Mellon Foundation pooled their resources to create the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, which supports art and culture in the city’s downtown districts. By purchasing and refurbishing existing real estate, as well as lending support to smaller initiatives like the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company, PCT’s investments have served as an engine of growth for the city.

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How Did the Meadow Vole Cross the Road? Designing travel routes for wildlife

Benjamin Goldfarb

October 09, 2014 |

re:form |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Missoula, Montana

As a state with robust populations of wildlife, Montana has had its share of roadkill. Its Department of Transportation developed animal shelving, a type of wildlife crossing, to enable safe passage for small animals who need to cross the road. The measure, combined with other types of crossings, has reduced animal-vehicle collisions by half.

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