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  • In Ethiopia, model drought defenses are put to the test

    July 24, 2017 |

    The Christian Science Monitor |

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    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: Ethiopia, Addis Ababa

    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s cosmopolitan capital, has long been considered a world apart from surrounding rural communities, all of which suffer from reoccurring droughts and civil war. However, thanks to international aid and government intervention, things are looking up for the whole of Ethiopia, dubbed one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Success is particularly linked to a government program designed to predict natural disasters before they occur, and an innovative economic development program, which employs Ethiopia’s poorest in exchange for labor on public works projects. So far, these measures h

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  • The Great Los Angeles Revolt Against Cars

    July 17, 2017 |

    The American Prospect |

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    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

    Los Angeles has faced deepening issues of severe traffic and extreme smog pollution in the past several decades, but for years intentions and promises to broadly improve transportation have fallen flat. At long last, the most congested city in the world - once home to the most extensive urban rail network on the planet - is reviving rail lines and trains as a solution to both issues. Robust public transport has proven to have multi-layered economic, cultural, environmental, and social benefits to communities.

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  • The slow lane: Dutch app allows elderly to 'hack' traffic lights

    July 12, 2017 |

    The Guardian |

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    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Netherlands, Tilburg, North Brabant

    In the Netherlands, city councils are piloting remarkable new technology to make roads safer and friendlier for cyclists and pedestrians through the use of apps that improve the efficiency and sensitivity of traffic lights to the elderly, disabled, and young children. Improved traffic flow is a key part of the way forward into a greener, safer urban future.

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  • Pop-Up Bike Network Leads to Permanent Change

    July 10, 2017 |

    Next City |

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    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, Macon, Georgia

    A bike share system as well as a pop-up experiment that added eight miles of temporary bike lanes in Macon, Georgia more than doubled the number of people riding bikes on the streets every day. It also showed county officials bike lanes were viable and desirable and now there are modest plans underway for three miles of permanent bike lanes and advocates are pushing for the county to adopt a complete streets policy for the city.

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  • Smarter Design for Skid Row

    June 28, 2017 |

    Bloomberg CityLab |

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    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

    Mitigating homelessness on Los Angeles' infamous "Skid Row" comprises myriad obstacles. But a collaboration between city officials, a USC architecture class project, and the Skid Row Housing Trust has responded with a multi-pronged solution in "pod-style" housing units. They have composed a cost-effective pre-fab design technology that eases their transportation, on-site construction and visual imposition on a neighborhood, while the pods' zoning classification as "congregant housing" minimizes the risk for local opposition to homeless support services on claims of structural or aesthetic noncompliance.

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  • Creating a Better Community Through Text Messages

    June 14, 2017 |

    Bloomberg CityLab |

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    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, New York, New York

    For urban residents, participation in city-planning often means navigating complex administrative bureaucracy and struggling through a lack of transparency, but in New York City, efforts are being made to engage citizens in the renewal (and preservation) of Brownsville, Brooklyn.  The city’s Housing Department has worked with the online platform coUrbanize to facilitate community-sourced ideas for the future via text. These residents’ responses are then inputted into a publicly-accessible map, which the city has pledged to incorporate into its planning -- a commendable effort at civic participation, local control, and transparency in government.

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  • How Did a Co-op Build Affordable Homes in Ballymun … and Can It Be Done Elsewhere?

    June 06, 2017 |

    Dublin Inquirer |

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    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: Ireland, Ballymun, Leinster

    Drawing on his experience creating affordable housing abroad, Hugh Brennan created the Ó Cualann Cohousing Alliance just outside Dublin, Ireland, where state and city officials are grappling with a shortage of affordable housing. The OCCA has brought together local governing councils and private investors to remedy the issue.

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  • Lessons from India in building urban resilience

    May 29, 2017 |

    Citiscope |

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    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: India, Surat, Gujarat

    TARU, an Indian thinktank, has found that Indians cities have combined decentralized action and "multi-stakeholder engagement" in public policy to respond to problems of scarcity in water and power as well as climate change-related natural disasters. Municipalities are putting responsibility for improving local lives at the grassroots level; integrating disruptive technologies from the private sector; and fostering collaboration between government and citizens.

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  • A garden bridge that works: how Seoul succeeded where London failed

    May 19, 2017 |

    The Guardian |

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    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: South Korea, Seoul

    Seoul’s new Skygarden has succeeded in transforming an old highway into an urban garden meant to connect different parts of the city. It is one aspect of a broader urban revitalization plan that includes the appointment of a city architect, emphasis on more pedestrian-friendly areas, and renovation of a business center. Cities like London, which has failed in building a garden on a bridge, can look to Seoul’s success for future urban development efforts.

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  • Detroit's DIY Cure for Urban Blight

    May 18, 2017 |

    Politico |

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    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

    In an attempt to come back from bankruptcy, the city of Detroit created the country's largest land bank to facilitate the demolition of blighted houses around the city. The land bank helps dilapidated homes find new owners willing to pick up the pieces.

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