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'For me, this is paradise': life in the Spanish city that banned cars

Stephen Burgen

September 18, 2018 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Spain, Pontevedra

Rather than attempt to change traffic flow, the city of Pontevedra cut straight to the source of their congestion frustrations; they eliminated cars from their streets entirely. The city center, which now fills to the brim with walkers and bicyclists each day, has seen a massive reduction in traffic accidents and carbon emissions since closing the streets to cars.

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Minneapolis would like to cure your dockless bike-share skepticism

Eillie Anzilotti

September 17, 2018 |

FastCompany |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

In Minneapolis, the nonprofit behind the city's bike share system plans to expand with a dockless model that will bring bikes into more neighborhoods while addressing some of the issues that model has encountered in other cities with bikes left in haphazard locations. Nice Ride will work with neighborhoods and city officials to create designated drop off zones and use a GPS system to find missing bikes. This cuts down on the docking infrastructure cost and allows more rapid expansion.

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Much to Do about (Vacant) Lots

James A. Anderson

September 10, 2018 |

Next City |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, St. Louis, Missouri

In St. Louis, Philadelphia, Detroit, and other postindustrial cities, community organizations and city officials are trying a number of methods to reduce the number of empty lots and vacant houses that plague neighborhoods. As opposed to earlier, one-off programs, cities are now forging coordinated approaches that acknowledge the systemic issues underlying persistent vacant land -- for example, in St. Louis, an inventory of all vacant properties is shaping the work of a series of related city initiatives.

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Tel Aviv tries to connect an isolated neighborhood

Neri Zilber

August 29, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Israel, Tel Aviv

The goal of The Platform, a new entrepreneurship and coworking hub in a struggling area of Tel Aviv, “is to start solving big as well as local urban problems through social-technological entrepreneurship.” The tech accelerator it offers has spurred the development of an app intended to bring neighbors together as well as a special type of motion sensor that helps people with physical disabilities. The coworking space portion provides a gathering and event space for skills training and more. The founders are even hoping other cities will adopt this model.

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No helmets, no problem: how the Dutch created a casual biking culture

David Roberts

August 28, 2018 |

Vox |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Netherlands

Most people in Holland ride a bicycle every week thanks to a widespread public commitment to a biking culture and infrastructure where everyone feels welcome. That includes very visible dedicated bike paths designed for the most sedate cyclist, courses teaching children safe cycling skills, and connections to combine biking and transit. Most Dutch don't need helmets because rather than making bicyclists dress to confront danger, the country has made the environs safer for cyclists.

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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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Saving the world, one painting at a time: How public art can revitalize a city

Brittany Schock

August 16, 2018 |

Richland Source |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mansfield, Ohio

Mankind Murals Inc. began with the goal of “a colorful revitalization of the city.” Luke Beekman, founder of Mankind Murals, was inspired to use public art to change the way residents as well as visitors experience a place. He realized art coupled with architecture and walkability is the perfect combination: get people to physically engage by walking more, spurred by nearby art to make walking more exciting.

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