New guidelines for conducting Active Travel Audits available as a tool on Eltis
As part of the URBACT European exchange and learning programme, the Active Travel Network has produced guidelines for conducting Active Travel Audits to improve conditions for walking and cycling in cities. It is a further development of the BYPAD audit scheme.
Bicycle Superhighway to be Built
Following on recent efforts that have increased cycling 30% in each of the last four years, the Swedish city of Malmo is prepared to spend $4.1 million to build a bike superhighway connecting to the city of Lund, its northern neighbor.
Zero Carbon Mobility – Cycling in Lviv (Ukraine)
Lviv is using a systemic approach to develop cycling infrastructure and to improve conditions for cyclists in a comprehensive way by establishing a working group, setting up a cycle plan and by active promotion of cycling.
Call for submission of local governance and decentralisation projects (Deadline: 1 February)
The European Commission has launched a call for proposals dedicated to local and regional authorities, with the aim of supporting the enhancement of the capacities of municipalities and regions and supporting projects related to local governance in EU partner countries
Helsinki introduces hybrid electric buses
Helsinki, Finland is plugging into the electric vehicle revolution with the launch of the city’s first two hybrid electric buses at the start of 2012. It is hoped that the vehicles will help propel sustainable transport in the Scandinavian capital to the next level.
World Mayor 2012 - nominations now open
Recognising pioneering urban developments by mayors across the world
The City Mayors Foundation is seeking nominations for its biennial World Mayor award.
Indonesia's Growth Overwhelming its Public Infrastructure
Indonesia's economy is growing but the crumbling infrastructure is costing residents.
URBACT 3rd call for proposals now open!
URBACT is a European exchange and learning programme promoting sustainable urban development, jointly financed by the EU’s European Regional Development Fund and the EU member states.
Guide to Street Design in Urban India
A new guidebook illustrates ways to create safer streets and more livable public spaces.
SYNAPTIC Awards for Excellence in Seamless Mobility: Call for Entries
Many local authorities and organisations are undertaking initiatives toward seamless mobility in Europe. The INTERREG Northwest Europe cluster project SYNAPTIC has established the SYNAPTIC Awards for Excellence in Seamless Mobility to recognise initiatives leading toward seamless mobility in Europe.
A 'Smart Cities' Technology Revolution Underway
A group of high technology firms, led by IBM and Cisco, are plunging into the city management business to offer super-efficient new-generation computerized information and control systems.
New web-based HEAT+ tool launched
ICLEI’s newest software tool HEAT+, launched at COP17 in Durban, South Africa, is designed to help local governments reap the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and common air pollutants.
Call For Entries–Congress for New Urbanism 2012 Charter Awards
The Congress for the New Urbanism facilitates an awards program to recognize the very best in New Urbanist design.
Rio+20 Global Town Hall: towards a sustainable urban future
ICLEI is convening the Rio+20 Global Town Hall together with a quickly growing coalition of partners, most recently joined by UNEP.
Cities’ next steps after COP17
The world's cities are impatiently demanding that they be heard earlier, and heeded seriously, in the decisions of nations - and at the United Nations.
New UN-HABITAT initiative brings people’s perspective to green urban development
In an effort to bring a more inclusive approach to green housing provision UN-Habitat has launched i-HOUSE, a new initiative promoting coordination and knowledge-sharing in the field of sustainable urban development.
Cities Face Tough Choices as U.S. Slashes Block Grants Program
It is no secret that these are hard times for cities, with tax collections down, state aid dwindling, unemployment high and foreclosures pitting many blocks. So, as he sat in his office here, Mayor Ed Pawlowski of Allentown echoed the question mayors around the country are asking: Why has Washington cut one of the main federal programs for cities by a quarter in the last couple of years?
Call for Submission: Good Ideas from Successful Cities: Municipal Leadershp on Immigrant Integration
Cities of Migration is looking for outstanding examples of city leadership on immigrant integration. We want to know more about how local governments can facilitate the settlement and integration of newcomers, and promote immigrant and city success.
Collaborative practices for inclusive urban regeneration
Co-production of public services, jobs and enterprises could improve service quality and reduce governmental spending at the same time. Today many national and local governments rediscover this idea, especially in Europe where cities have been hit hard by the economic downturn.
New measures for cleaner air in London in 2012
Within the London Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy, a package of measures to improve air quality in London has been launched to cut harmful pollution coming from road transport, to benefit Londoners' health and to clean up the city ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Want Your City to Thrive? Get More Bandwidth
Jobs of the future will be located in areas with some of the fastest bandwidth in the world -- and American is in sorry shape, writes columnist Thomas Friedman in The New York Times.
Washington : public spaces for the waterfront
A 1.7 hectare park is announced in place of a huge car park on the waterfront of Washington. This is part of a more overall project for the redevelopment of over 20 hectares along the Washington Channel. The consultation with the community put in evidence the desire to preserve views towards the Canal as well as promenade and leisure areas.
Why Your City's Urban Canopy May Be Failing
Trees are an increasingly important part of the urban infrastructure. However, a lack a awareness about how to plant and nurture large trees in urban environments dooms many trees to lackluster performance and a short life.
Using Bikes Instead of Cars to Run Errands Saves Lives, Money
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have concluded that 1,100 deaths would be avoided each year if Midwesterners ran half of their short-distance errands by bike rather than by car. An additional $7 billion in health-care costs would also be saved.
ICLEI and UNISDR partner to make cities more resilient
ICLEI and UNISDR joined their forces and expertise in a pilot project supporting selected cities from the Africa and Southeast Asia regions in testing a Local Government Self-Assessment tool.
The Largest Urban Park In America Coming To Chicago
A new park in Chicago aims to turn 140,000 acres of under-used and post industrial land along the Second City's southern rim into the country's largest urban park.
Kuala Lumpur's Sprawl Creating A Mini Los Angeles
In a recent report about Malaysia, the World Bank has said that the capital's urban sprawl is transforming it into a "mini Los Angeles" rather than a densely populated Asian City.
Sustainable town tested in Japan
A former Panasonic manufacturing site 50 kilometres west of Tokyo is being used to develop Japan's first sustainable town.
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