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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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Community-Centered Development

Jill Harkins

August 08, 2018 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Preventing housing loss due to gentrification requires getting community members to the table before development plans take effect. Radix Consulting, a B Corp based in Portland, OR, is promoting community-led urban development in a city hit hard by gentrification. The principles of community and land use developed by Radix helped to influence policy in Portland’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan. While the plan in Portland addresses an existing crisis, other cities are looking to this model as a way to proactively manage their community development.

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Planting Trees to Help Dallas Breathe

Katelyn Newman

August 07, 2018 |

U.S. News & World Report |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

In 2016, the Texas Trees Foundation and federal Trust for Public Land partnered to use GIS technology in greening Dallas, Texas, and plant some 1,000 trees to start. Not only does the initiative reduce respiratory problems like asthma--over the next 40 years, the new tree cover is expected to create about $2.9 million in environmental benefits, sucking around 250 tons of CO2 from the air and capturing around 4 million gallons of stormwater.

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Plaza Heralds New Era of Afrocentric Development in Seattle Neighborhood

Gregory Scruggs

August 07, 2018 |

Next City |

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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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An indigenous village navigates its ecotourism success

Sarah Hucal

August 06, 2018 |

Mongabay |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Indonesia, Wae Rebo

The village of Wae Rebo on a remote island in Indonesia was facing the growing issue of generating viable revenue from only their agriculture production. Seizing the opportunity to revitalize the town through a partnership with Indonesian ecotourism NGO Indecon, at least 50 tourists per day now visit the village, bringing in a new source of income for locals.

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Once Polluted and Reviled, the Chicago River Bounces Back

Julie Bosman

August 02, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Photojournalism |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago River, once a place that tourists and locals alike would avoid, is now thriving after over 15 years of redevelopment efforts. Richard M. Daley, mayor at the time, enlisted the help of a Chicago architect to make the riverfront a more inviting place to spend time. That work has paid off. Now, in addition to being a location for boat commerce, the riverfront provides an inviting space for anyone who wants to meet for walks, drinks, food, or outdoor activities.

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