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Back to the future with transit-oriented development

Tom Condon

July 29, 2019 |

The Connecticut Mirror |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Britain, Connecticut

Connecticut cities like New Britain are taking a comprehensive approach to urban planning, incorporating public transportation and economic equity structures into redevelopment plans. By investing in "transit-oriented development," or TOD, along housing development coordinators, cities drive economic development while reducing the state's carbon footprint.

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Three Big Lessons From One Small Town

James Fallows

July 18, 2019 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Danville, Virginia

The town of Danville, Virginia survived the downfall of the mill industry by using creative financing and investing in solid economic infrastructure that will remain sustainable into the future. The town has invested in broadband and used funds from a tobacco settlement to re-install city money into local institutions.

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A Diverse Network of ‘Place Leaders' Activates Public Spaces in Boston

Sandra Larson

July 17, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

In Boston, many groups are working to public spaces, large and small, as they face upheaval and change in the face of rapid development. In one example, the Asian Community Development Corporation creates projects for new residents get involved in community, and the nearby Roxbury Cultural District sources local artists for public art projects.

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Can Employee Ownership Preserve Legacy Businesses in Communities of Color?

Sandra Larson

July 15, 2019 |

Next City |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

As gentrification has flourished and Baby Boomers age out of the workforce, “legacy businesses” struggle to find a way to maintain a presence in communities of color. In response, a multi-city fellowship called Shared Equity in Economic Development (SEED) was developed to educate business owners on transferring ownership to the employees to ensure its future. Four cities—Philadelphia, Atlanta, Durham, and Miami— paired three city employees with one community member to work together over a two year period to leave the city with “clear plans, clear roles and good foundations for future business conversions."

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How Minneapolis Freed Itself From the Stranglehold of Single-Family Homes

Jeremy White

July 11, 2019 |

Politico |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The city council of Minneapolis has successfully reached out to its constituents and responded to their concerns regarding the housing crisis by enacting the Minneapolis 2040 plan which outlines 100 sustainable solutions to mitigate the threat of urban density. Several progressive city council members have worked toward the goal of providing more affordable housing by creating coalitions and proactively gathering citizen input. Subsequently, affordable housing was the main issue in the latest city elections. The plan rewrites the residential zoning laws to allow multi-family homes in any part of the city.

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Renewing London

Oliver Gordon

July 04, 2019 |

Struggles from Below Magazine |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: England, London

In London, two community-driven initiatives are working side by side to engage residents in sustainable practices. Energy Garden, a community energy cooperative, has created green spaces in rail stations offers residents community gardens, nature education, and solar power. Repower, the other initiative, works with residents to communally invest in renewable energy for low-income neighborhoods while also providing those neighborhoods with energy jobs and mentoring services.

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The rise of urban food forests

Katie Pyzyk

July 02, 2019 |

Smart Cities Dive |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Atlanta, Georgia

Creating and supporting local food systems requires public-private partnerships in urban planning. Across the United States, nonprofit organizations such as Trees Atlanta in Georgia successfully work with cities to operate and maintain community orchards, or "food forests", on public lands. Planting food forests with several layers of fruit-bearing vegetation reduces the prevalence of food deserts, adding both green space and nutritional value to communities.

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Middlebury is walking towards restoration

Colleen Carroll

July 01, 2019 |

The Devil Strip |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Middlebury, Ohio

The town of Middlebury, Ohio organizes community walking audits that allow residents to actively relay concerns and complaints about their community. The audits focus on neighborhood improvement and encourage active community members to lead the charge in local development.

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Less Driving

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

June 27, 2019 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: France, Paris

Philadelphia, like many US cities, struggles with traffic congestion and the environmental and financial costs of sitting in traffic; however, in looking at the way Paris has adopted pedestrian-friendly streets, Philly could get an upgrade. Paris uses clearly separated bike lanes, revitalized metro lines and cleanliness to encourage residents to get out of their cars and onto their feet (or bikes, or even skateboards).

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What the Land Bank has accomplished the last 10 years

Camryn Justice

June 26, 2019 |

WEWS-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

Through expansive demolition and rehabilitation services, the Cuyahoga County Land Bank is estimated to have made a $1.43 billion impact to Cleveland and surrounding communities. The land bank focuses on renewing blighted homes in the area, focusing specifically on revitalizing low income areas that don't have enough public funding to clean up their streets.

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