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Fill, Build and Flood: Dangerous Development in Flood-Prone Areas

Laurie Mazur

October 08, 2019 |

U.S. News & World Report |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Charlotte, North Carolina

To combat excessive flooding in low-plain areas, cities like Charlotte are passing critical legislation that regulates fill-and-build development, a type of construction that leads to more intense flooding in vulnerable neighborhoods. Charlotte bases flood control plans off future conditions rather than current or past flooding areas, and the city charges a fee for homeowners that, in turn, provides dedicated funding for stormwater management

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Erie Hit ‘Rock Bottom.' The Former Factory Hub Thinks It Has a Way Out.

Ruth Simon Kris Maher

October 07, 2019 |

Wall Street Journal |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie, Pennsylvania, uses creative financial incentives for companies and businesses that invest capital gains in low-income areas of the city in order to pull itself out of economic hardship caused by the decrease in industrial jobs. The city looked to Cincinnati as an example of a city that turned around a failing neighborhood through collective action, sustainable funding practices and investment in nonprofit organizations that support development efforts.

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Less Trash, More Schools — One Plastic Brick at a Time

Anemona Hartocollis

July 27, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan

The recycling economy is helping Ivory Coast overcome a building shortage and create jobs. The Fighting Women, a community organization in Abidjan, collect plastic waste to resell to manufacturers. In partnership with UNICEF, the Columbian company, Conceptos Plásticos purchases plastic waste from the Women and recycles it into bricks, which are used to construct classrooms.

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Banning foreign home buyers - the New Zealand experiment

Vivienne Nunis

July 15, 2019 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: New Zealand, Auckland

Housing affordability is a crisis that many countries face. New Zealand addressed the issue in a controversial way: by outright banning foreign ownership. Since it has come into effect, real estate pricing has gone down, and more properties are available for New Zealand residents. Critics argue that the ban coincided with world events like the Chinese government limiting how much money could leave the country into foreign events. They caution against attributing the lower prices to the ban itself and that it is still too early to see its true impact.

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What are nature-based solutions?

Amelia Axelsen

June 21, 2019 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Nature-based solutions to climate change involve strategic use of greenery to staunch the negative impacts of climate change broadly, but these solutions also have been proven to increase jobs and contribute to the overall economy. For instance, in Portland, the Green Streets project used trees rather than concrete to absorb excess runoff, helping the city in multiple ways in the process.

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A Worker Cooperative and a Community Land Trust Bought a Building Together

Oscar Perry Abello

June 18, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oakland, California

Cooperative ownership provides an avenue through which local nonprofit organizations and businesses can retain ownership of real estate. In Oakland, California, the Oakland Community Land Trust uses federal grants and donations to then acquire and retain ownership of commercial and residential properties. In cases where funds offered by the Trust or from crowdfunded donations are not sufficient, as with the Hasta Nuerte worker owned co-op coffee shop, offering up equity in the venture to private investors can help raise capital.

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Former Bridgeport factory transforms from blighted property to a model of revitalization

Harrison Connery

June 03, 2019 |

Republican American |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Bridgeport, Connecticut

A development firm in Bridgeport, CT relies on public-private partnerships to fund renewal of blighted sites into upgraded buildings, including a brand new charter school. With a mix of government and low-income housing funding, the firm can develop hundreds of units in a quick amount of time, allowing communities to benefit from rapid renewal in the area.

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How New Yorkers Stood Up to Amazon and Won

Yasmeen Wafai

May 22, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Long Island City, New York

When Amazon came close to establishing its second headquarters in Long Island City, the Queens borough of New York, community organizing successfully halted the development. Community leaders credit their success to a diverse group of organizations teaming up (like Queens Neighborhoods United and New York Communities for Change), politicians teaming up with the communities they represent, and quick mobilization.

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Welcome Home

Emma Murray

May 09, 2019 |

Boulder Weekly |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Boulder, Colorado

The number of cooperative living spaces in Boulder, CO is slowly increasing despite the public's opposition to creating residential coops amongst the overwhelmingly single-family, suburban lifestyle of the city. The scarcity of affordable living in Boulder has driven some residents to explore nontraditional housing opportunities that simultaneously reduce their rental expenses, reduce their carbon footprint, and allow them to create a community of like-minded people.

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Trading Pencils for Hammers: These Kids Are Learning Math and Getting Jobs Right Out of High School

Monica Humphries

May 02, 2019 |

NationSwell |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Pflugerville, Texas

Hands-on experience can improve learning outcomes. By using the Geometry in Construction curriculum, developed by Contextual Learning Concepts, schools across the US are not only teaching kids geometry, they are also helping them gain valuable vocational skills. Several of the schools have even paired the program with service work by partnering with Habitat for Humanity.

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