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Plaza Heralds New Era of Afrocentric Development in Seattle Neighborhood

Gregory Scruggs

August 07, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Central District, a historically black neighborhood in Seattle, is getting a makeover to better align it with its roots. Africatown is a nonprofit community land trust that is using its influence to bring Afrocentric design standards to the neighborhood as well as spurring economic development and construction of affordable housing. One real estate project includes a community mural, more gathering space for residents, and local government support.

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A new way to preserve West Virginia's beauty

Audrey Hoffer

August 02, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Broomgrass, West Virginia

Family farms are facing challenges nationwide amidst a backdrop of land development. A community in West Virginia took a stand by piloting a new way or rural co-habitation in the form of a farm community protected via a farmland protection program that allows very limited development.

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Bellevue builds its first downtown bike lane. But there's a catch

Michelle Baruchman

August 01, 2018 |

The Seattle Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Bellevue, Washington

Bellevue’s pilot bike lane project is starting slow and ready for feedback. By beginning the project with less than a mile of bike lanes downtown, the city made sure to brand it as a pilot, hoping to measure results and adapt accordingly. Also, the Bellevue Downtown Association had a clear voice in expectations for any bike lane project, all of which were met in the initial pilot. The city hopes that bringing on board urban planners, city council, and the downtown association will increase chances of long-term success.

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To fix its housing woes, should California look to Seattle?

Matt Levin

July 26, 2018 |

CalMatters |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

In response to the rapidly developing Seattle housing crisis, the city has begun to rezone single-family housing as high-rise apartment buildings and create accessible public transportation in redeveloped areas. Though this fastest-growing city in the country has a long way to go in the fight for affordable housing, the Bay Area cities can look to these rent-stabilizing solutions as possible responses to their own housing crisis.

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How 3,000 streetlights turned San Diego into America's smartest city

John R. Quain

July 25, 2018 |

Digital Trends |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

A municipality’s ability to collect data and implement small changes can mean cost savings, increased efficiency, and improvements to daily life. By incorporating the ‘internet of things’ into thousands of streetlights, San Diego is able to collect and disseminate data on street usage, parking spots, and traffic optimization.

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The Private Cities of Honduras

Luis Fajardo

July 18, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Honduras, San Pedro Sula

To attract foreign investment, Honduras is creating privatized cities with Western-style laws and foreign judges. The development initiative is bringing in money and creating jobs, but the enclaves are tailored to please private companies and may undermine Honduran sovereignty and social cohesion.

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Design as Democracy: Barcelona's ‘Carritos' Encourage a More Inclusive Urbanism

David de la Peña

July 16, 2018 |

TheCityFix |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Spain, Barcelona

Urban planners in Barcelona have a new way to engage locals who want a voice in urban design. Carritos, or mobile carts, are traveling to public spaces to draw in people who can share their opinions on development projects. This especially helps get feedback from those who do not have time to attend traditional city planning meetings. The goal is to make city planning a more inclusive space.

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Bugs and Birds: New Residents of a Greener Madrid

Jaime Velazquez

July 13, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Spain, Madrid

With a little strategic planning, cities can nurture biodiversity in the urban environment. “Sometimes, small actions can bring incredible results,” says Antonio Morcillo, deputy director for conservation of green areas and urban trees in Madrid. The city is allowing the Manzanares River to flow, spontaneous vegetation to grow, and opening hundreds of birdhouses and insect hotels to counteract habitat loss.

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One Woman's Quest to Fight Gentrification by Asking Residents How

J. Brian Charles

July 05, 2018 |

Governing |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Even as cities fight gentrification, residents are often consulted late in urban planning, if at all. Cat Goughnour is pushing for change in Portland. Her consulting group ran a series of workshops, resulting in community-generated ideas for improving the Albina neighborhood that wouldn’t displace longtime residents.

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How two Belgian cities turned their pavements into playgrounds

Anoush Darabi

June 22, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Belgium, Antwerp

Urban planners in Belgium are creating play spaces, known as the “speelweefselplan,” to give children more room to be outside. The design process includes asking schoolchildren about their routes to and from school, and then planners map out ways to make those routes more interactive. As cities grow and traditional parks are limited, this model shows a way that cities can continue to be welcoming for children.

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