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Cities in motion: how slime mould can redraw our rail and road maps

David Parr

February 18, 2014 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Japan, Tokyo

The twenty-first century city is a complex organism, and simulating it to anticipate traffic and transportation congestions can be problematic for urban planning. Researchers around the world from Japan to England have used slime models to simulate traffic and transportation patterns, observing realistic growths, congestions, and re-routing opportunities. Biomimicry demonstrates an unconventional but useful process to understand the pulse of the urban environment.

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Preparing for Disaster by Betting Against It

Georgia Levenson Keohane

February 12, 2014 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, necessity has bred an interesting kind of financial invention for the New York MTA: the world’s first “catastrophe” bond - a reinsurance for the insurer - designed to protect public transportation infrastructure, specifically against storm surge. These bonds privatize risk for public gain, creating a kind of tool that may protect economic development against all kinds of natural and man-made disasters around the world.

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How Utah Turned Its Unpopular Public Transit System Into a Hit

Eric Jaffe

October 21, 2013 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Utah

In the 1990s, Utah residents spoke out against a proposed light rail system. Just two decades later, the TRAX light rail system was completed early and under budget, with abundant community support. The Utah Transit Authority was able to accomplish this by working with local officials and planning groups; finding multiple funding streams; and clearly communicating the benefits of the light rail.

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Hydrogen Fuels Autorickshaws and Dreams of Cleaner Air

Amy Yee

October 01, 2012 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, New Delhi

Autorickshaws are a main source of transport within India, but not all autorickshaws are being created equally anymore. In an attempt to reduce their carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels, India is experimenting with implementing hydrogen-powered autorickshaws that look and act the same, but emit emissions of only water vapor and heat.

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The Bicycle Revolution in Paris, Five Years Later

Julio Godoy

July 18, 2012 |

Inter Press Service News Agency |

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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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Haiti's road to recovery

Jacob Kushner

June 28, 2012 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Haiti

An essential roadway in Haiti is being rebuilt in the kind of aid Haitians say is vital to economic recovery after the catastrophic earthquake of 2010. National Route 7 is an important highway for farmers and other merchants who transport their goods for sale to Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince. The current dangerous conditions of the road lead to deadly accidents as well as car troubles which prevent farmers from selling their harvest. Other much larger reconstruction projects in Haiti are often more expensive, yet not as vital in bringing actual change or long-lasting benefits to Haitians.

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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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Lessons in Transit Innovation

Lisa Margonelli

November 22, 2011 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Trenton, New Jersey

Bus service for people who live outside major cities is either nonexistent or might as well be. But some communities are helping bring mobility to non-drivers with bus service they can really use. This article looks at a variety of places in which public transportation is highly popular and efficient—from Germany to Seattle.

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Thinking Outside the Bus

Lisa Margonelli

November 17, 2011 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Brunswick, Maine

Bus service for people who live outside major cities is either nonexistent or might as well be. But some communities are helping bring mobility to non-drivers with bus service they can really use.

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