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The Bicycle Revolution in Paris, Five Years Later

Julio Godoy

July 18, 2012 |

Inter Press Service News Agency |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: France, Paris

Paris is a city plagued by traffic jams and air pollution. In 2007, the local government created a public bicycle sharing program called Velib that has drastically reduced the number of cars on the roadways and parking lots. During five years, over a hundred million people have used the program and it has a quarter of a million subscribers.

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Amidst Drought and Famine, Niger Leads West Africa in Addressing Crisis

Fred de Sam Lazaro

July 12, 2012 |

PBS NewsHour |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Niger, Madarounfa, Maradi

Officials in Niger are addressing chronic severe droughts causing food shortages and leading to a widespread threat of starvation. They provide aid to malnourished children and resources for a crop planting technique called 're-greening,' which aims to reforest agricultural regions, restore soil quality and, in turn, increase food supply.

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Microhydro Drives Change in Rural Nepal

Amy Yee

June 20, 2012 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Nepal, Rangkhani

Microhydro power plants are finding their place amongst some of the smallest villages in Nepal, bringing both electricity and industry opportunities to the regions. Although they aren't capable of generating near the amount of power as a typical hydro plant, they also have far less impact on the environment and encourage community involvement.

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The Dawn of the Evidence-Based Budget

David Bornstein

May 30, 2012 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

When we consider the vast sums that governments spend — and the responsibility public officials bear — it seems crazy that policy makers don’t routinely make good use of evidence. The new White House effort to base spending decisions on hard evidence is a step toward delivering more social good per taxpayer dollar.

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Green Roofs in Big Cities Bring Relief From Above

Tina Rosenberg

May 23, 2012 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

New York City black tar roofs cause a number of environmental problems, including air pollution, heat absorption that raises energy consumption, and storm water runoff in the sewer system. Efforts to turn these old roofs into green spaces cool the buildings, enable the containment of more rainfall, reduce sewer discharge, generate energy, and absorb carbon emissions. New York City has a pilot program offering financial help for green roofs.

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Fighting Crime With Architecture in Medellín, Colombia

Michael Kimmelman

May 18, 2012 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Colombia, Medellín

Medellin, Colombia has looked to architecture to help combat its high homicide rate and other problems. Over the past few decades there have been massive public architecture development, transit improvements, creation of public spaces that have all contributed to renewing this city.

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The Multiplier Effect: Driving Haiti's recovery by spending aid dollars locally

Jacob Kushner

May 11, 2012 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Haiti

Building Markets, an NGO, has connected Haitian businesses with foreign NGOs who can funnel humanitarian aid through the local suppliers and manufacturers in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of 2010. Typically, the majority of contracts are granted to international contractors which are easier for foreign NGOs to vet but when contracts are granted to local vendors, the "multiplier effect" allows more money to flow through the local economy and employ Haitians. A directory built by Building Markets allows foreign investors to easily find trustworthy local businesses.

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Armed With Data, Fighting More Than Crime

Tina Rosenberg

May 02, 2012 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

CitiStat has show great success in cities like Baltimore, where it has improved city services' efficiency (removing snow, fixing potholes, etc.). Many cities use Stat programs, but Baltimore has been a particular case of success. Looking at how it implemented its CitiStat program holds lessons for other cities.

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Why the Streets of Copenhagen and Amsterdam Look So Different From Ours

Sarah Goodyear

April 25, 2012 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Denmark, Copenhagen

When Amsterdam and the Netherlands were facing an urban dilemma between building bicycle or automobile friendly streets, citizens organized to promote the prioritization of cyclist safety above all else. This public outcry and strategy lead to these cities becoming a model for livable streets.

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Innovation for the People, by the People

David Bornstein

February 22, 2012 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

In a vast country like the United States in a world of lightning-fast change, it no longer makes sense to presume that governments possess, or even understand, the best ways to address pressing needs and promote “the happiness of the people.” The White House strategy of offering prizes to the public for their solutions to critical problems is working.

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