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The Other Side of “Broken Windows”

Eric Klinenberg

August 23, 2018 |

The New Yorker |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

By cleaning up thousands of abandoned buildings and vacant lots, the city of Philadelphia caused sharp declines in violence and other crime in a program that has become a model for cities nationwide. The cleanup program became the subject of two long-term experiments comparing the "treated" buildings and lots to those that remained signs of blight. In one study, gun violence dropped 39% in and around cleaned-up buildings. The 5% decline associated with cleaned-up vacant lots was much smaller but still meaningful. Neighbors praised the sense of safety they gained in the improved areas.

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A Divided Neighborhood Comes Together under an Elevated Expressway

Katy Reckdahl

August 20, 2018 |

Next City |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

Community organizing may be the key to a comeback along New Orleans’ Claiborne Avenue. Once home to a booming block of African American-owned businesses, many left once a new expressway demolished the street in the 1960s. Now, community input is essential in rebuilding. A new master plan included 11 meetings with residents to share their priorities. The painted murals, live jazz performances, and local gatherings still happening show that the Claiborne Corridor will remain home to its long-time residents, even in a new format.

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Saving the world, one painting at a time: How public art can revitalize a city

Brittany Schock

August 16, 2018 |

Richland Source |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mansfield, Ohio

Mankind Murals Inc. began with the goal of “a colorful revitalization of the city.” Luke Beekman, founder of Mankind Murals, was inspired to use public art to change the way residents as well as visitors experience a place. He realized art coupled with architecture and walkability is the perfect combination: get people to physically engage by walking more, spurred by nearby art to make walking more exciting.

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Planting Trees to Help Dallas Breathe

Katelyn Newman

August 07, 2018 |

U.S. News & World Report |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

In 2016, the Texas Trees Foundation and federal Trust for Public Land partnered to use GIS technology in greening Dallas, Texas, and plant some 1,000 trees to start. Not only does the initiative reduce respiratory problems like asthma--over the next 40 years, the new tree cover is expected to create about $2.9 million in environmental benefits, sucking around 250 tons of CO2 from the air and capturing around 4 million gallons of stormwater.

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An indigenous village navigates its ecotourism success

Sarah Hucal

August 06, 2018 |

Mongabay |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Indonesia, Wae Rebo

The village of Wae Rebo on a remote island in Indonesia was facing the growing issue of generating viable revenue from only their agriculture production. Seizing the opportunity to revitalize the town through a partnership with Indonesian ecotourism NGO Indecon, at least 50 tourists per day now visit the village, bringing in a new source of income for locals.

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Can Philanthropy Save a City?

Alana Semuels

August 02, 2018 |

The Atlantic |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Stockton, California

Stockton is courting philanthropists by billing itself as a budding hub of innovation for fighting poverty. The city is mitigating the risks of tapping private foundations to fund city services by identifying target policies and programs ahead of time.

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Once Polluted and Reviled, the Chicago River Bounces Back

Julie Bosman

August 02, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Photojournalism |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago River, once a place that tourists and locals alike would avoid, is now thriving after over 15 years of redevelopment efforts. Richard M. Daley, mayor at the time, enlisted the help of a Chicago architect to make the riverfront a more inviting place to spend time. That work has paid off. Now, in addition to being a location for boat commerce, the riverfront provides an inviting space for anyone who wants to meet for walks, drinks, food, or outdoor activities.

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The estate where local people refused to call last orders

Aditya Chakrabortty

August 01, 2018 |

The Guardian |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Brighton

The Bevy, a community-owned pub in Brighton, “is about creating an institution to bring together a fragmented community.” One of over 100 pub co-operatives throughout Britain, the Bevy is unique in that is is on a suburban housing estate. As such, it had huge power to add value to a struggling area, and it has done just that. Several years in, the Bevy acts as a community space, pays a living wage to employees, and welcomes all for good conversation and good beer.

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A simple solution to help cities fight overheating: more trees

Adele Peters

July 20, 2018 |

FastCompany |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

Trees are an effective bulwark against summer heat, providing shade and cooling the air as water evaporates from leaves. A collaborative project mapped heat and other considerations in Dallas and picked the neighborhood of Oak Cliff to plant more than 1,000 trees. The ultimate goal is to revegetate the entire city.

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Bugs and Birds: New Residents of a Greener Madrid

Jaime Velazquez

July 13, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Spain, Madrid

With a little strategic planning, cities can nurture biodiversity in the urban environment. “Sometimes, small actions can bring incredible results,” says Antonio Morcillo, deputy director for conservation of green areas and urban trees in Madrid. The city is allowing the Manzanares River to flow, spontaneous vegetation to grow, and opening hundreds of birdhouses and insect hotels to counteract habitat loss.

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