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Three ways cities remodelled their streets for people, not cars

Anoush Darabi

June 08, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Pedestrian-oriented development takes many forms, but three cities have demonstrated success. In New York City, a local transit commissioner convinced the city to pedestrianize parts of Times Square using data to make the case. In San Paulo, local officials simply repainted streets to test redesign efforts. Finally, Barcelona is becoming known for its superblocks, which decrease car use by redesigning large city blocks.

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A Simple Way to Improve a Billion Lives: Eyeglasses

Andrew Jacobs

May 05, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, Panipat, Haryana

The World Health Organization estimates that $200 billion worth of productivity is lost every year due to untreated poor eyesight. Several organizations, such as EYElliance and Aravind Eye Hospital, are working to combat this problem by administering free vision tests and helping people who need glasses get them at an affordable rate.

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Copenhagen Mastermind Jan Gehl Isn't Sold on 'Smart' Cities

Annette Becker Lessano Negussie

April 30, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Denmark, Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a highly livable city, thanks to policies that focus on making streets safe and convenient to walk. The bigger the city, the worse it is to design urban spaces only with cars in mind, says planner and architect Jan Gehl. His top advice is to gather data about people and their movements, making pedestrians as visible in city planning as automobile traffic.

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One woman's simple recipe for a happy street

Dougal Shaw

November 21, 2017 |

BBC |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom, Bristol

In an attempt to fight childhood obesity and social isolation in Bristol, the organization Playing Out is helping kids exercise more. They are creating a way for children to safely be physically active in their neighborhoods by closing off streets at certain times each week. The UK government created a system for streets to apply just one time for weekly events, and now the system has spread to 40 UK local authorities and cities around the world, including Toronto.

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Can optical illusions trick drivers into slowing down?

Matt Rocheleau

November 09, 2017 |

The Boston Globe |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

Lead-footed drivers are a problem everywhere, and cities around the world have struggled with ways to get vehicles to slow down, especially in dense areas where the risks to pedestrians are acute. One clever solution is popping up on numerous roads around the world: 3D decals on the pavement that look like floating blocks, speed bumps, or small children. The decals create an optical illusion that is proving to help slow down speedy drivers, and for a fraction of the cost of speed bumps or traffic cops.

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Atlantic City's Tourism District Has A Needle Problem. It Can Be Fixed.

Elinor Comlay

September 27, 2017 |

Route 40 |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Atlantic City, New Jersey

A needle exchange in Atlantic city has resulted in used needles visibly strewn around the surrounding area, which is also a popular area with tourists. The government as well as locals aren't happy with the the needle hazard which has resulted in solutions such as a program to incentivize users to return needles, drop boxes around the city for needles, and moving the needle exchanges outside the tourist area.

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

Gordon Darroch

July 12, 2017 |

The Guardian |

Text |

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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Making cities safer with public transport

Priyanka Borpujari

January 20, 2017 |

Livemint |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Mumbai

There is a misconception that making cities safer for women requires more security cameras. Now, the method of improving public transport systems and lighting up public streets is being implemented and its allowing women to feel safer and enjoy greater mobility.

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Fast, inexpensive street changes that get big results

Jim Saksa

June 24, 2016 |

WHYY |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, many cities face challenges in implementing Complete Street policies to improve street and transportation safety in urban cores. The cities and organizations that have done this successfully offer ideas to others about how they can use creative financing and piloting to overcome barriers and enforce the policy.

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Unmasked! The Mexico City superhero wrestling for pedestrians' rights

Dulce Ramos Sophie Hughes

November 09, 2015 |

The Guardian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Mexico City

Clogged with traffic, crippled by poor infrastructure – the capital is notoriously hard to navigate on foot. Enter Peatónito, the activist fighting for safer streets.

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