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  • Why Schools Should Open Their Playgrounds to the Public

    April 29, 2016 |

    The Atlantic |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

    Most cities face a common problem when it comes to parks and public space - not only do urban centers lack spaces for play but these spaces are also not distributed equally, with many low income and minority neighborhoods having the fewest and most neglected park amenities. Initiatives like the Shared Schoolyard Project and Schoolyards to Playgrounds Initiative in San Francisco and New York offer one solution - why not open up school yards to the public after hours and on the weekend? "The more people who will ultimately utilize a space, the higher the likelihood of both civic and private investment in it."

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  • Iceland's Water Cure

    April 19, 2016 |

    The New York Times Magazine |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: Iceland, Reykjavík, Capital Region

    Despite being an island of seamen, Iceland used to experience high numbers of drownings every year, fostering a keen interest in swimming education. The government stepped up and tapped into the underground hot water generated by Iceland’s volcanic activity to create geothermal pools, which quickly became more than a humble municipal investment, but perhaps the very secret to the country’s happiness. Every town now enjoys communal pools, which create a neutral, recreational space that brings all manner of people together.

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  • Meet the Scraper Bike Team of East Oakland

    March 30, 2016 |

    KQED |

    Video |

    3-5 Minutes

    Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

    In Oakland, California, a group of elementary and middle school-aged kids have banded together to ride bikes together as a way to stay out of trouble. Although the practice has a positive influence on the kid's physical health, and is good for the environment, it is also positively impacts the student's academics since a the "team" requires a certain grade point average as well.

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  • Architects Deploy Traffic Barrels to Make U.S.-Mexico Connection

    January 19, 2016 |

    Next City |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, El Paso, Texas

    Art installations create spaces that can bring together members of diverse communities. Using the motif of urban design on the US-Mexico border, professors at Texas Tech in El Paso created an installation that also served as a community event. The “Flash Installation” existed for only a day, but in that time the project brought together student volunteers, community partners, nonprofits, and local businesses.

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  • How America's Top Junk-Food City Went on a Diet (and Fattened Its Economy)

    December 17, 2015 |

    Politico |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

    Reducing obesity relies not only on personal choices, but also systemic changes. In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the city’s anti-obesity campaign enrolls individuals and city planners in an inclusive effort to focus on wellness and change the built landscape. Going beyond education and outreach, the city’s plan also includes creating new spaces for riverside recreation, more sidewalks, and paths. Challenges remain, however, as the city navigates its cooperate relationships while trying to prioritize community health.

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  • One-Stop Coding & Job Shop

    December 14, 2015 |

    The Philadelphia Citizen |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

    An inner city Detroit program places 90 percent of graduates in well-paying tech jobs by teaching them how to code. It may serve as a viable path for Philadelphia citizens, as well.

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  • Parklets Are Great, But Big Parks Pack a Big Punch

    September 01, 2015 |

    Next City |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United Kingdom, Exeter

    Larger green spaces may be critical to a city, as they can support more complete ecosystems. In contrast to smaller "parklets," large parks paired with high-density neighborhoods allow for healthier cities.

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  • Outdoor Afro: Busting Stereotypes That Black People Don't Hike Or Camp

    July 12, 2015 |

    NPR |

    Multi-Media |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

    In 2009, a woman in Oakland, California realized that there was a lack of African Americans in the outdoors. Tired of being the "only one," she created an online social space via blogging and Facebook called Outdoor Afro to connect African-Americans with other African-Americans that wanted to enhance their time in nature. Six years later, this group has grown to international status with 7,000 members and 30 trained leaders that join together to get out in nature.

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  • Why DIY Public Spaces Are Starting to Take Off in Turkey

    February 10, 2015 |

    Bloomberg CityLab |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: Turkey, İzmir

    An absence of public infrastructure and park space hasn't stopped the people of Izmir, Turkey from gathering in and enjoying the outdoors. Now a few clever and creative individuals are helping teach their communities to reclaim public spaces, sharing designs for recycling materials to build things like benches or docks for all to enjoy.

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  • What Big-City Museums Could Learn From This “Company Town” for Art

    December 18, 2014 |

    Next City |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, North Adams, Massachusetts

    The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) uses an innovative business model to stay afloat, relying on both internal and external projects and revenue streams to make a change in the North Adams community. The museum displays contemporary art but also has invested in property around the city, renting to local businesses and encouraging visitors to take notice in their creative projects inside and outside the museum walls.

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