Latest

CityLab / January 29, 2019

Alongside new light rail stations, Seattle plans affordable housing

Affordable apartments near reliable public transportation aren’t always easy to find. Sound Transit, Puget Sound’s transportation authority, is working on a light rail expansion and will work with local agencies to fill many pieces of leftover land with affordable housing.

CityLab / January 25, 2019

Buenos Aires's waterfront "Youth District" stirs debate

Argentina’s capital hopes to revitalize 145 acres of its riverfront by establishing a ‘Youth District,’ a proposed recreational area that will—as part of rezoning—feature private bars, restaurants and clubs. Critics argue that the plan is socially exclusive and commercial, and poses an environmental risk. Some activists worry the project will make the area more prone to flooding, which is a regular occurrence in Buenos Aires—last spring, flash floods caused the evacuation of hundreds of residents.

Next City / January 24, 2019

Making sure all of Detroit has a voice on sustainability

Detroit’s Office of Sustainability, which focuses on community engagement, has designed a digital map for residents to create and support location-based comments that point out what they like, and what they do not. The Office also attend community meetings and has appointed 14 sustainability ambassadors.

The Villager / January 23, 2019

High Line's Spur and Plinth coming down the track

With the High Line’s newest section, the Spur, set to open in April, final work is being done on this offshoot before it officially opens. The plaza offers remarkable views of the city in all four directions and will feature the Plinth, a space for showing monumental works of art.

Brookings / January 20, 2019

The US needs a new approach to invest in resilient infrastructure and communities

As the magnitude of climate challenges increases, communities need to continue to experiment with new approaches and proactively invest in more resilient stormwater infrastructure. If community leaders and infrastructure decision makers demonstrate—and communicate—the value of these investments, they may find it easier to pilot alternative projects and realize broader community benefits.

Energy News Network / January 18, 2019

In Minneapolis, low-income neighborhoods see influx of clean energy investment

Minneapolis is starting to see an influx of solar panel installations in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. This is an early result of a new program, “green zones,” which targets investments in these areas without displacing existing residents and businesses.

The Washington Post / January 17, 2019

People are happier in states that spend more money on public places like parks and libraries

A new study published in the journal Social Science Research finds that people in the United States report greater levels of happiness in states that spend more money on public goods such as parks, libraries, infrastructure, and public safety. The author, Patrick Flavin, notes that the happiness boost from public-goods spending is roughly the same across a wide range of demographic variables: race, income, education, etc. suggesting public spending on categories accessible to everyone has an effect on the well-being of everyone.