Richland Carrousel Park helps trigger 30 years of economic redevelopment in Mansfield

Philadelphia’s Rebuild project leveraged revenue from a new tax on soda along with philanthropic funding to renovate parks, recreation facilities, and libraries throughout the city. Because of its focus on equity, the program funneled roughly 20 percent more funding into disadvantaged areas compared to the city’s previous capital projects, but due to delays in the process and the level of repairs and renovation needed, the city was ultimately only able to tackle about half the number of Rebuild projects it originally projected.

After the highway’s removal in 2014, Rochester’s Inner Loop was transformed into Adventure Place, as part of the new Neighborhood of Play, which reimagined the urban landscape, featuring retail spaces, bike lanes and affordable housing options. Since the highway was filled in, more than $200 million in new investment has been generated. Moreover, several other cities, including New Orleans and Baltimore, are beginning to follow in their footsteps.

This city is rising above its history of high rates of crime and poverty by transforming the city with Utopias, where residents can go to do activities like sports, music, arts and other cultural and educational activities for free. There are currently 13 Utopias across the Iztapalapa municipality that see about 100,000 people every week.

The Child Poverty Action Lab in Dallas turned a vacant lot into a community plaza that hosts events like movie nights and community meals in an effort to bring the community together and reduce violence in the area.

After a tornado devastated Greensburg, Kansas, the town decided to use the disaster as an opportunity to become more environmentally sustainable. For example, they built a new school out of recycled wood and it was powered with geothermal heat. While the maintenance of these sustainable features can be tricky, this shift to a greener town can be a case study for others looking to make the transition.

On average, community gardens don't last longer than a decade, but Harambee Garden in Chicago is defying the odds during its 12th year in operation. A large part of its success lies in the involvement of local churches, library, firehouse, and multiple youth volunteer organizations, one which even paired local high school students with adult mentors.

Urban decay has left a "physical legacy" of past economic hardships in cities. Many cities across the world are now implementing programs that promote public art that rebuilds and reimagines neighborhoods.

In an effort to restore a sense of urbanism and community to the city, CityPark repurposed an old manufacturing plant to develop a 32-acre soccer campus, attracting sports teams, fans and other patrons to the city for games, shopping, dining and other festivities. During CityPark’s first season, it brought in an extra $73 million in revenue for the city.

After a badly needed road construction project was abandoned by officials and contractors, community members banded together to pool their resources and build wooden bridges that made the road passable again.

The First Nations Garden, run by the Chi-Nations Youth Council, is a gathering space for the area’s 65,000 Native people, providing them with a garden and a highly-requested green space that hosts regular events and provides cultural resources and education while fostering community.