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ICLEI joins Advisory Board for the Future of Urban Development Initiative
ICLEI Secretary General Konrad Otto-Zimmermann has been invited to join the Advisory Board for the World Economic Forum’s Future of Urban Development Initiative.
Zurich's Parking Policy Evolution: Cap & Replace
Zurich underwent a major parking policy change for its downtown - from 'predict and provide' (i.e. parking minimums) to 'cap and replace'. When a new parking space is provided, a surface parking space is designated toward public plazas.
UN-Habitat and UNESCAP join hands in solid waste management project
UN-Habitat and UNESCAP have launched a pilot project for Solid Waste Management in the cities of Karachi, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Mardan.
China's Rapidly Expanding Inland Cities
The mostly unfamiliar cities of China's vast inland territories are growing at an exponential rate, attracting global businesses, infrastructure investment, and residents in search of opportunities.
Which American Cities are Leading the Economic Recovery?
While California's cities continue to be a drag on the country's job growth, cities in the Northeast and the South are doing better than average, says a new report from the Urban Institute.
Look to China to Glimpse the Future of Cities
The era of American cities such as Chicago and New York leading the way in urban innovation went out with the close of the 20th century, says Dustin Roasa. Its China's turn to show the world what the city of the future will look like.
London's Transit Network Wins the Gold
Dogged in advance of the Olympics by fears of transit paralysis, Lauren Collins discusses how London's public transportation network has been the surprise hit of the Games.
Is Sprawl to Blame for Municipal Bankruptcies?
As the fear of more local government bankruptcies rises, William Fulton argues that sprawling development patterns play a key role in leading cities to run in the red.
ICLEI and partners announces Global Initiative on Urban Resilience
ICLEI and partners announce the Global Initiative on Urban Resilience (GIUR), an effort designed to spur building and infrastructure development, create new investment opportunities and foster community action
around the world.
How an Award Winning Chinese Building Demeans Architecture
The Guangzhou Opera House was recently recognized by Architectural Record with its "Best Public Project: Honor Award." Larry Speck argues why recognizing this poorly designed and executed building reflects poorly on the Architecture profession.
World Mayors Council elects Mayor Park Won Soon as chair
Members of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change unanimously elected Park Won Soon, Mayor of Seoul Metropolitan Government as the next Chair of the Council during their General Assembly on 17 June in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Sydney, Australia is the newest EcoMobility Alliance City
Sydney, Australia as the newest Alliance City! Sydney has developed a strategic vision that is both responsive and proactive in dealing with accessibility challenges.
India Encourages Monster Master Planning Effort
Planners in search of work might want to consider looking in India. As Nate Berg reports, the Indian government is hoping a new technology initiative will catalyze master planning efforts in 7,935 cities and towns across the country.
What is the Secret to Washington's Success?
With the healthiest economy of any major metropolitan area in the country and a winning baseball team, D.C. is doing quite well for itself these days. David Leonhardt looks at what economic lessons the city has to offer the rest of the country.
Rio+20 outcomes: cities play a key role in sustainability
It is questionable whether the 50-page official Rio+20 outcome document, entitled “The future we want”, will actually set the planet and humanity on a sustainable path.
Sustainable Events Guide now available online!
The online publication is an informative and useful tool aimed at providing valuable information on how to keep large scale meetings as green as possible. It is addressed at those responsible for the planning and conduct of large-scale conferences and other events.
New Research Suggests Immersive Urban Parks Work Best
Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city in your neighborhood park? For a true mental vacation, head for the park with the densest vegetation, writes Eric Jaffe.
Biking Brings $1 Billion in Revenue to Minnesota
Minnesota generates over $1 billion in bike-related revenue annually, more than from hunting and snowmobiling combined. To help promote more bicycling in Minnesota, a new interagency campaign labeling Minnesota as "The Bike Friendly State" is being launched, complete with a website of state biking resources, that includes advice on commuting with kids and a searchable calendar of events and group rides.
Paris to the People
Angelique Chrisafis delivers the fantastic news that, after more than four decades of auto dominance, Paris is returning its riverfront to its people in a "pedestrian 'reconquest' of the banks of the Seine."
Urban Farmers Markets Surge
As demand for locally grown fruits and vegetables has increased, so too has the number of urban farmers markets sprouting up across the nation. USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan recently announced a 9.6 percent increase over 2011 listings in the National Farmers Market Directory, which tracks farmers markets throughout the United States.
Temporary Urbanism's Short Shelf Life
London's Olympics are just the most recent example of the growing trend in building temporary architecture and urbanism in response to financial and practical considerations. Christopher Hawthorne asks whether this trend is too short sighted.
Prescription for Shrinking Cities: Don't Demolish, Preserve
For cities across the U.S. facing mass foreclosures and shrinking populations, demolition of abandoned homes is an attractive avenue (see Detroit and Cleveland). Roberta Brandes Gratz argues that the value of preservation deserves to be considered.
Makati City gets award for city-to-city cooperation
ICLEI Member Makati City in the Philippines has scooped an award for an innovative city-to-city learning partnership between Quito, the capital of Ecuador, and the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu.
Brussels Region invests in metro workshops
The Brussels Regional decision to migrate towards automated metro systems, has consequences for the depots and workshops. The Region will invest over 85 million euros to enable proper maintenance of the trains.
Best Practice Guide European Mobility Week
The European Mobility Week (EMW) best practice guide has been released. The publication demonstrates case studies from nine European municipalities participating in last year’s EMW.
Nominate your city for the Resilient Cities Award
The first ever Resilient Cities Award will recognize excellence in the adoption and implementation of the Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient, a 10-point checklist designed to help local governments assess their risks and initiate plans to improve their cities’ resilience.
Lagos 'Cleans Up' Its Waterfront, Leaving Thousands Homeless
Continuing a practice long decried by international rights groups, Nigerian authorities gave the residents of the waterfront shantytown of Makoko a scant 72 hours to vacate their homes before demolishing them en masse, reports Robyn Dixon.
English Cities on the Rebound
Census results released last week offered some astonishing findings - each of England's big cities is growing, after shedding people only a decade ago. The Economist looks at the phenomenon and the factors that have contributed to the resurgence.
China's Housing Tries to Go Green, but Fails
A so-called "eco-friendly" apartment complex complete with solar panels that derives more than 90% of its energy needs from coal? China struggles to take sustainable development seriously.
Copenhagen Shames Aspiring Bike Cities, Again, With Opening of Superhighway
From Portland to Minneapolis, cities across the America have been trying to catch up to Copenhagen's world-renowned bicycling infrastructure. With the recent opening of a bike superhighway, the Danish capital is leaving other cities in the dust.
How NOT to Do Bus Rapid Transit
As Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) gains popularity, Annie Weinstock describes new standards for BRT, taking a lesson from some failing systems.
New York City to Build "Micro-Units" for Singles
New York City has invited developers to propose ways to build "micro-units" — dwellings complete with a bathroom, built-in kitchenette and an area with a fold-out bed that doubles as both sleeping space and living room.
Can Madrid's Bid for a Thrifty Olympics Succeed?
As the start of London's summer games grows near, the competition to host the 2020 Olympics is heating up. Paul Sonne looks at whether the "shoestring" bid of Madrid, formed amidst Spain's austerity drive, can beat out the other finalists.
Introducing: BAMBINI - Teaching the next generation to step away from the car
Many national and EU-wide projects have worked with children and young people to teach them about the personal, economic and ecological advantages of sustainable mobility modes.
Why London's Public Spaces Don't Measure Up
The Economist looks at the improvements made to London's public spaces over the last decade, as the city's first elected mayors strove to improve the capital city's environs. So why has the city failed to keep up with its global competitors?
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