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

Rowan Moore

May 19, 2017 |

The Guardian |

Text |

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

Erick Trickey

May 18, 2017 |

Politico |

Text |

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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Keeping it cool: Malaysia looks to district energy systems.

Feng Zengkun

May 17, 2017 |

Eco-Business |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Malaysia, Sedenak, Johor

A collaborative effort among the United Nations' District Energy in Cities Initiative, the Malaysian government, and private partners has facilitated planning in Malaysia's rapidly developing southern state of Johor for a "District Energy System": a single heating and cooling network which decreases energy consumption by converting waste heat from large power stations. Because of this intervention, Iskandar is projected to decrease its energy use by almost 40% -- all while saving money on energy costs, recycling heat energy, and contributing to the nation's goals under the international Paris Accord.

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The Unsung Government Program That Gives Federal Property to the Homeless

Kriston Capps

April 27, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Thirty years ago, the U.S. Congress created a process called Title V that requires excess federal land be offered to state and city governments and nonprofits for homeless services. Hampered by challenging obstacles throughout the process, only about 900 acres across the country have been converted to shelters and other facilities. Now streamlined and improved, Title V is poised to make a much greater impact.

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These cities have great, but sometimes strange, ideas on transit. Which ones can Toronto steal?

Oliver Moore

March 31, 2017 |

The Globe and Mail |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Toronto, Ontario

Toronto wants to improve its transit system, perhaps there are solutions that can be applied from other cities. Changing the way parking is priced, improving bus shelters, implementing more highway tolls, and having automated subways are all possible options.

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In Beijing, Two Wheels Are Only a Smartphone Away

Didi Kirsten Tatlow

March 19, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: China, Beijing

As Beijing grapples with pollution caused in large part by the increase in cars on the roads, a tech-based solution has appeared in the form of forward-thinking bicycles. The Chinese bike-sharing system, spearheaded by several startups, allows commuters to find a bike using GPS, pay for it using an app, and drop it off upon arriving to their destination, wherever that may be. A mix of private investment and government support has allowed this market to thrive.

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The 'sun king' who built a solar city in China

Alvaro A. Ricciardelli

March 08, 2017 |

BBC |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: China, Dehzou, Shandong

Shandong Province in China is burdened with heavy air pollution due to being a hub of coal mining. To create a cleaner energy system, one man created a "city" entirely powered by solar energy, complete with a "solar museum" and "solar hotel". The buildings are designed to adopt solar panels into its structure, making the "city" not only beneficial to the environmental, but a one-of-a-kind architectural masterpiece.

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Cable Cars Are Changing the World

Duncan Geere

March 07, 2017 |

How We Get to Next |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Colombia, Medellín

In what was once a violent neighborhood ruled by drug cartels and fear, prosperity and community are now blossoming in Medellin, thanks to an effective new form of public transportation: cable cars. The gondola system has allowed those neighborhoods on the steep slopes surrounding the city center - those which were not accessible by traditional rail systems and which suffered severe vehicle traffic congestion - to link to the rest of the city, improving job opportunities, access to basic and emergency services, and more.

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Building Better Cities

Russell Beard, Juliana Schatz

March 05, 2017 |

Al Jazeera |

Broadcast TV News |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Colombia, Cali, Valle del Cauca

By 2050 the percentage of the world's population living in cities will increase to two-thirds with significant environmental strains. In Colombia, a company called Conceptos Plasticos collects recyclable plastic material, melts it down and moulds it into bricks used to build houses for the local community. Singapore too, is on the cutting edge of environmentally sustainable urban solutions including vertical farms and living buildings.

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How China is Cleaning its Air

Mukul Devichand

March 05, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: China, Beijing, Jingjinji

Air pollution is a huge problem for China, but surprisingly, the Air Quality Index in several cities is improving because of a variety of experimental projects that are being rolled out and a number of clever pollution solutions from around the country.

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