💡 Fresh stories: How Baltimore Engaged Disenfranchised Communities & 12 more
February 23, 2023 Edition
Curated by Konveio
In this week’s newsletter, you’ll uncover new insights on we can incorporate food production into our build environment , how to address natural disasters, and learn how transform industrial buildings into places of social significance.
Don’t hesitate to reach out with recommendations, we’re always looking for your input!
Lauren Sibley
EngagingCities Editor
Featured Story
How Baltimore Engaged Disenfranchised Communities
Exclusionary zoning has wreaked havoc across cities all over the United States. Repairing the damage done by these zoning laws will take extensive, and intentional planning. Reparation can begin by increasing the connectivity to these areas. Better transit, both public and private, access to parks, and other public resources can help these areas to heal and revive to their former glory.
— Shared by Veronica Perry McBeth
Amplifying Progress
EngagingCities shares stories by our network of community builders that collaboratively plan for a brighter, cleaner, and more equitable tomorrow.
Featured stories from the last two weeks:
🔥 Hot Takes
🎤 Urban Agriculture
Being innovative with how we approach agriculture and food production is key to our food security. In most places we no longer have the option of acres of farmland on the outside of our cities. We have expanded our built environment onto most of the land that was used for food production. As many cities face gridlock in their development we see a move toward vertical growth, this is how we should approach the addition of farming in our built environment. Vertical growing allows us to use what is already there to produce food.
— Shared by Silvana Amézquita
🎤 The Revolutionary Approach to Planning - Cities should be designed with people in mind and not just as an economic engine.
— Shared by Shlok Raval
🎤 Resilience to the Invisible Threat - Mitigating the hazards of extreme heat would require designing open public spaces to bring welfare and social connections.— Shared by Paul D. Fericelli
🎤 Sprawl Kills! - We need to reevaluate our planning and zoning laws if we are to combat this problem.
— Shared by Cormac Holland
📝 Insights
💡 On Top of Everything Else Earthquakes?
Earthquakes are an ever present risk in the majority of the United States. Is there a way to understand what affects an earthquake’s severity and frequency so we can be more prepared? A non-profit organization has made strides in the analysis and categorization of earthquake severity zones.
— Shared by Amy Brown
💡 Fiscal Costs of Natural Disasters - How governments can build fiscal resilience against natural hazards and strengthen fiscal management after a disaster.
— Shared by Serhan Cevik
💡 Integrating Health into Transportation Planning - How can we better understand and address the linkage between transportation planning and public health outcomes?
— Shared by Jim Brogan
💡 Improving Public Space Functionality - A collaboration to explore how streets and public spaces can be transformed to better serve the public.
— Shared by Vishva Rathod
🥳 Success Stories
✅ Boston's L-Station Redevelopment
Seeing the potential in historic buildings, is a benefit for everyone. Not only is this a more sustainable way of developing, but often the location and charm of these older buildings are unmatched by new development. Those who live in the surrounding area are also benefited by the breath of new life given to these unused spaces. The Boston L-Station sat abandoned for nearly 10 years, before redevelopment efforts began. Now it will provide a fresh space for social gathering and will enhance the lives of those who visit.
— Shared by Frank Carroll
✅ 197- Acre Park Approval - The town of Easton, MD prioritizes public open spaces and Invests in the health and sustainability of their community.
— Shared by Owen Bailey
✅ Cape Cod's Housing Decision - 312 units proposed to help with Cape Cod’s housing crisis, it is definitely a step in the right direction.
— Shared by Daniel Lee
✅ Zoning Overhaul Approved in Colorado Springs - After 3 years, 2 months, and 11 days, the Colorado Springs Unified Development Code has been adopted.
— Shared by Morgan Hester
🗓 Upcoming Events Mark your calendars
Webinar: 3/14 Strategies to Revitalize Community Engagement Shared by Krystal Wu
💼 Featured Jobs Check them out
Program Manager with Woodard & Curran, Posted: 30+ days ago, Salt Lake City, UT (virtual)
Principal Consultant with Ricardo, Posted: 2/15/2023, Madrid, London, or Hybrid
Do you have interesting resources, events, etc. to share?
Send us your tips to hello@engagingcities.com
