A new initiative by the Speedwell Foundation believes so.  According to an article in Atlantic Cities, the project called “Redfields to Greenfields” looks at what could happen if empty commercial sites were converted into parks.  Research is currently being developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology…

At the US Initiative Livability Challenge in Indianapolis, local stakeholders discussed the importance of quality of place in attracting talent. Following the dialogue on the importance of good deisgn and nature in cities, an article in the New York Times discussed San Francisco's effort to turn "pavement into…

Last week Pittsburgh City Councilman and CEOs for Cities partner William Peduto held a groundbreaking for an innovative new outdoor learning environment in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Plaza.

Joined in the announcement by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Florida-based partner N21, Peduto described the project as “the type…

Our colleague Rob Forbes, founder of Design within Reach and at work on an exciting new urban project, tells The New York Times why parks and public space matter.

Read the article here.

Congratulations to Scotland for having the forethought to celebrate the International Year of Astronomy (IYA), marking the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s telescope with Galloway Forest Park announcing its plans to become Europe’s first “dark sky park.”

The Bldgblog reports that the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) web site…

That's the theme of the 2008 International Urban Parks Conference that begins today in Pittsburgh. I'll be speaking briefly on a panel tomorrow with Trust for Public Land President Will Rogers, New York's Director of the Mayor's Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability Rohit Aggarwala and Brookings VP and…

Local Innovators at Strategy Session 2010 

Download these Harvard case studies on the public-private partnerships developed by NYC Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe to strengthen the city's parks. Then ask Adrian how your city can do the same. He’ll be…