Blog
Celebrating a Year’s Work in Akron’s University Park
Posted by Mark Ebner on May 10, 2012 |
University Park Alliance recently celebrated their one year anniversary of integrating University of Akron with the downtown community surrounding it. The celebration hosted Jim Clifton, CEO of Gallup polling organization and author of The Coming Jobs War, who discussed his prediction that cities, universities, and local leaders will need to work together to achieve the next economic breakthrough. An Akron Beacon Journal article details early studies conducted in Akron show a direct yearly total impact of $2.5 billion within the area by the major institutions in the redevelopment area. Henry Cisneros, former Secretary of HUD and current member of CEOs for Cities Board of Directors, “cited Akron and UPA's efforts as an example of building on a university and city's strenghts.”
Exurb Growth Lags Behind Urban Growth
Posted by Shayna Pollock on April 05, 2012 |
According to Census data released yesterday, the annual rate of growth in American cities and surrounding urban areas has now surpassed that of exurbs for the first time in the last twenty years. In fact, in 2010-2011, the growth rate of cities was .8 percent whereas the growth rate of the exurbs was a mere .4 percent. An article in the Washington Post suggests that this rise in urban growth is largely due to high gas prices and the millennial preference for cities. The growing number of residents in American cities confirms CEOs for Cities' Driven to the Brink, an analysis that shows that high gas prices and the cost of commuting from suburban areas is reshaping the American housing market.
Oklahoma City Invests in Downtown
Posted by Shayna Pollock on April 05, 2012 |
By investing in core economic development, Oklahoma City is building a better downtown. A new video from Smart Growth America highlights the groundbreaking urban work of Mayor Mick Cornett, a CEOs for Cities partner, and the city council. Mayor Cornett understands that "the quality of life in the suburbs is directly related to the intensity of the core of the city," so he is turning his once sprawling city around. By investing in transportation, schools, and amenities and pushing for smart growth strategies that prioritize health and job creation, Mayor Cornett is improving quality of life and quality of place in Oklahoma City. Mayor Cornett is energizing his constituents and his civic leaders to produce a thriving urban core through long-term investments.
Detroit Initiatives Advance Contemporary Public Life
Posted by Shayna Pollock on March 28, 2012 | News
Knight Foundation and CEOs for Cities announce support for nine organizations
Detroit, Mich. – March 27, 2012 – Nine Detroit organizations that are accelerating citizen participation in public life will receive $65,000 through a partnership between the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and CEOs for Cities, a national network of urban leaders.
The awards are part of Knight and CEOs for Cities’ joint effort to strengthen contemporary public life. Nationally, the two groups are exploring ways to foster more informed and engaged communities where people participate in decision-making, shape their neighborhoods with volunteer and civic commitments, enjoy communal spaces together and more.
In Detroit, individuals and institutions across the city are becoming part of a growing social innovation movement, seeding small-scale but transformational projects that are having an impact on community well being. This new support will strengthen a range of efforts – including virtual and real-world spaces where Detroiters can come together to discuss local issues, create new products and services and celebrate people having an impact on the city. A list of projects is below.
“Detroiters are blending entrepreneurship, creativity and civic action in imaginative ways. We hope these projects will help amplify all of the…
Why City Living Actually Costs Less
Posted by Shayna Pollock on March 02, 2012 | City Dividends
New geo-coded data from the Center for Neighborhood Technology on housing and transportation costs further affirms that living in dense, livable communities is economical. According to an article on Atlantic Cities, from 2000-2009, housing and transportation costs increased at nearly twice the rate of incomes for the average American. Yet, for those in housing efficient locations, transportation costs only increased by half. Additionally, the data shows that when including transportation in the analysis of affordable housing, the percentage of neighborhoods considered “affordable” drops from 76 percent to 28 percent. When considering this data, which has far reaching policy implications, more expensive housing in city centers may actually be the more affordable option.
Meeting of the Minds Event Announced
Posted by Shayna Pollock on March 02, 2012 |
On October 10-12, global leaders will convene in San Francisco for Meeting of the Minds. Each year’s Meeting is a premier leadership summit focused on the innovations that leaders in the built environment, infrastructure, transport, architecture, planning, finance and other key areas can use to grow sustainable cities. For two days, participants from across all sectors — public, NGO, and private — engage in lively discussions focused on “connecting the dots” linking buildings, energy and water resources, mobility, and finance.
Underpinning the 2012 program is a growing imperative: to make sense of the complex interplay between natural ecosystems and human infrastructure systems. The Meeting will look at how urban/regional decisions have become inextricably linked, and what elements of cross-sector partnership are critical for successful solutions.
Our Meeting will illuminate specific solutions and smart strategies that are making it possible to accelerate the emergence of sustainable cities around the globe — and create a smarter and more connected future for all. We’ll feature the innovators who are solving critical problems, especially those from organizations that are making smart investment choices. We’ll identify breakthrough policies and practices that are already enabling our institutions and systems to become smarter and more resilient.
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Grand Rapids Collaborates with Whitney Museum
Posted by Shayna Pollock on March 02, 2012 |
The Grand Rapids Art Museum recently entered a three-year partnership with the Whitney Museum of American Art. The partnership will bring some of the country’s finest art exhibitions to Grand Rapids. The first exhibition, “Synapsis Shuffle,” has only been shown in two other cities, New York and Paris, before coming to Grand Rapids. Whitney Museum director Adam Weinberg is thrilled to collaborate with such a “vibrant cultural center in West Michigan.” The partnership further bolsters Grand Rapids’ attitude of creativity and innovation as demonstrated through other important arts and placemaking initiatives such as ArtPrize.
GOOD Ideas for Cities is Coming to Richmond and Cincinnati
Posted by Shayna Pollock on February 29, 2012 |
After a fantastic event in Portland, Oregon, and another event coming up in St. Louis, we're thrilled to announce the next GOOD Ideas for Cities events in Richmond, Virginia and Cincinnati, Ohio.
GOOD Ideas for Cities taps creative problem-solvers to tackle real urban challenges proposed by civic leaders and present their solutions at live events across the country. Thanks to our partnership with CEOs for Cities and a generous grant from ArtPlace, we're taking the program to five mid-sized cities in 2012. In Richmond, individuals can apply and will be placed on one of three teams. In Cincinnati, groups of any size can apply as a creative team, and six teams will be selected to participate.
Richmond, Virginia
Tuesday, April 24 location TBA
Hosted by The i.e.* Initiative of the Greater Richmond Chamberand Capital Region Collaborative
Apply as an individual for GOOD Ideas for Cities Richmond
Application deadline: March 9
Teams and event details will be announced here and at @IdeasforCitieson March 13.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Wednesday, May 16 at the Contemporary Arts Center
Hosted by The University of Cincinnati Niehoff Urban Studio and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation
Apply as a creative team for GOOD Ideas for Cities Cincinnati
Application…
Cash Mobs Promote Vibrant Communities
Posted by Mark Ebner on February 28, 2012 |
Clevelander Andrew Samtoy has found a way to use social media to support local businesses. In a CNN piece, Samtoy discusses the “Cash Mob” movement he started. The premise is to gather local shoppers to go to a small business with the promise that each spends at least $20. Recently 60 people gathered at Big Fun Toys in Lakewood, Ohio and spent $1,514 in approximately an hour. Money stays in the community when it is spent at a local business. In addition to the financial benefits, Cash Mobs help foster a community where you can meet and get to know your neighbors.
Denver Promotes Walkability
Posted by Shayna Pollock on February 21, 2012 |
Denver is campaigning for walkability. An article in the New York Times enumerates the ways Denver is encouraging walking in order to improve public health. Proponents of walkability believe that Denver can be retrofitted through transit and pedestrian bridges to promote transportation alternatives (the goal is 15% of residents walking or cycling to work by 2020). Advocates are encouraging attractions to cater to foot traffic since “it is the physical space of a city…that creates a pedestrian’s view of the world.” In addition to improving health outcomes, encouraging walkable communites also increases home values as outlined in CEOs for Cities’ Walking the Walk research. Promoting walkability will not only help Denver’s current residents lead healthier lives; it will also increase the city’s appeal as a livable community.