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This Kansas City neighborhood wrote the blueprint for transforming a community

Nikhil Swaminathan

July 25, 2017 |

Grist |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Missouri

The Kansas City neighborhood of Ivanhoe was once plagued by blight, illegal dumping, drug trade, gun violence, and neglect; neighbors lived in fear or moved away. Inspired by one compassionate and proactive family, the Youngs, the community stepped up, partnering with the local university and a charitable foundation to map out a tangible blueprint for sustainable change. They are working with police and the city council to tackle the blight and revive their neighborhood through affordable housing, park space, and a renewed sense of community.

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How Tampa Turned a Dead Zone Into a Downtown

Richard Danielson

June 15, 2017 |

Politico |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tampa, Florida

Tampa's downtown used to be an industrial wasteland. After six mayors, 40 years, and half a billion dollars of investment later, the city's downtown is thriving. That's just the tip of the iceberg, as Strategic Property Partners is investing $3 billion in development in the next ten years for hotels, offices, and apartments. The University of South Florida is also working with developers as an anchor institution to support more growth.

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City Is Unequal for Bike Users

Bruce Murphy

June 11, 2017 |

Urban Milwaukee |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A report by the Rails to Trails Conservancy in Milwaukee shows how access to bike paths can be a catalyst for development and economic growth in low-income, minority neighborhoods where people are less likely to be able to afford a car. Ironically, those are the neighborhoods that currently have the fewest bike trails. To call attention to this, the study includes a "connectivity score" outlying the massive potential that bike paths have to connect neighborhoods with schools, hospitals, and employment centers and improve overall quality of life for the city as a whole, as they have done in Minneapolis.

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Columbus, Ga., used as model in downtown Prattville's renaissance

Marty Roney

June 08, 2017 |

The Montgomery Advertiser |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Prattville, Alabama

Alabama's Historic Prattville Redevelopment Authority has emulated the successful downtown revitalization project in Columbus, Georgia, in an effort to address vacant industrial sites and a blighted downtown. Through a collaboration with local entrepreneurs, a private real estate company, the Chamber of Commerce, and other departments and members of the local government, the HPRA is transforming the small city. Several local business prepare to open, the old cotton gin mill will open new apartments, and recent community events demonstrate an increasing public interest in a revitalized downtown Prattville.

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How 3 Cities Are Using an App Designed to Help Them Collaborate

Johnny Magdaleno

May 22, 2017 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Cities are often alone in trying to develop solutions to their problems. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago developed an app— "The Peer Cities Identification Tool"— that matches similar U.S. cities and encourages discussion about challenges and successes.

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

Rowan Moore

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

Erick Trickey

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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The Detroit Success Story Visible From Space

Erick Trickey

May 18, 2017 |

Politico |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

In just three years, Detroit carried out an ambitious $185 million project to re-illuminate the city's 88,000 streetlights, half of which were dark, with new energy-efficient LED lights. Through its new Public Lighting Authority, the city used an innovative funding scheme to pay for the lights even in the midst of municipal bankruptcy. After the lights went up, residents felt safer, and businesses felt a noticeable bump.

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In Cleveland, co-op model finds hope in employers rooted in the city

James E. Causey

April 27, 2017 |

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Cleveland, Ohio

To combat the rapid decline in Cleveland's economy after the manufacturing collapse co-ops have stepped in. Co-ops help residents of poor neighborhoods find jobs, build stability and buy houses. They benefit other organizations by helping them to invest in the community.

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Dismissed: Tenants lose, landlords win in Baltimore's rent court

Doug Donovan Jean Marbella

April 26, 2017 |

The Baltimore Sun |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore is home to the nation’s first housing court. Established 70 years ago, the court was supposed to hold landlords accountable for code violations, such as failing to provide heat, remove lead paint, or respond to pest infestations. But today, even if city inspectors deem properties so endangering to health and safety that they are uninhabitable, judges routinely require tenants to pay withheld rent before cases are even heard.

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