Collect Insights

Interview someone living in a struggling city or region to learn more.

Do you know someone who lives in a struggling community? Interview him or her to understand what life looks like where they live. What evidence can they point to that shows their city’s or region's struggles? How they are coping? Why do they stay? What are their hopes and dreams for where they live?

Missions

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Here are 3 stories from Detroit. I'm sorry for this post, it's really hard to watch, but these emotional speeches make us see the problem differently.

Citizen of Detroit Ready to Fight Poverty

Here are 3 stories from Detroit. I'm sorry for this post, it's really hard to watch, but these emotional speeches make us see the problem differently.

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Vladimir Melnikov

13:01, Nov 30, 2011

Vibrancy might just arise from taking time to "rediscover" what vibrancy our communities already have. The Carmageddon (the name for the anticipated closure of the 405 freeway in Los Angeles) became an opportunity to rediscover vibrancy in LA.

The Carmageddon Insight: Re-discovering Vibrancy with a Vibrant Mindset

Vibrancy might just arise from taking time to "rediscover" what vibrancy our communities already have. The Carmageddon (the name for the anticipated closure of the 405 freeway in Los Angeles) became an opportunity to rediscover vibrancy in LA.

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DeletedUser

19:49, Dec 04, 2011

How can we motivate the masses to participate in the revitalization of their city? And once they're motivated, how can we get people to work together effectively?

Community Buy-In and Working Together

How can we motivate the masses to participate in the revitalization of their city? And once they're motivated, how can we get people to work together effectively?

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DeletedUser

13:43, Nov 30, 2011

ECO CIDADAO Project - Strengthening and Integration Organizations Collectors of Recyclable Materials

Increased recycling project inclusive of Brazil

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Thiago Alves de Souza

16:38, Dec 03, 2011

In 2005, a San Francisco art and design studio called Rebar converted a metered parking space into a temporary public park in downtown SF. PARK(ing) Day has evolved into a global movement and led to permanent "parklets" popping up all over the city.

PARK(ing): Taking Back Parking Space for Public Space

In 2005, a San Francisco art and design studio called Rebar converted a metered parking space into a temporary public park in downtown SF. PARK(ing) Day has evolved into a global movement and led to permanent "parklets" popping up all over the city.

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DeletedUser

16:14, Nov 30, 2011

I have been visiting Recife, located in the Northeast corner of Brazil, for over 10 years now, and have been surprised by the recent rapid changes for the better (in terms of economic development). An interesting mix of policy decisions is analyzed

Recife: Insights from the Northeast corner of Brazil

I have been visiting Recife, located in the Northeast corner of Brazil, for over 10 years now, and have been surprised by the recent rapid changes for the better (in terms of economic development). An interesting mix of policy decisions is analyzed

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Brian Butler

12:33, Nov 24, 2011

One hurdle to creating a more vibrant Detroit is funding for vibrancy-related efforts. The city expects 2,000+ jobs (31% of the city's general workforce) to get cut, with a raise in taxes and additional cuts to cultural programs.

Detroit's Financial Crisis

One hurdle to creating a more vibrant Detroit is funding for vibrancy-related efforts. The city expects 2,000+ jobs (31% of the city's general workforce) to get cut, with a raise in taxes and additional cuts to cultural programs.

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DeletedUser

20:03, Nov 22, 2011

Last week I talked with local business owners in our downtown and unanimously they were not fans of Black Friday.

"Black Friday sucks"

Last week I talked with local business owners in our downtown and unanimously they were not fans of Black Friday.

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DeletedUser

11:46, Nov 30, 2011

The Farmshop transformed a derelict building in Dalston, London into an urban food hub with chickens on the roof, pigs in the backyard, and aquaphonic fish thanks in the livingroom. The rooms of the building are used for growing vegetables and educat

FARM:shop self-sustainable cycle of local urban agriculture in Hackney, London

The Farmshop transformed a derelict building in Dalston, London into an urban food hub with chickens on the roof, pigs in the backyard, and aquaphonic fish thanks in the livingroom. The rooms of the building are used for growing vegetables and educat

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Afaina de Jong

15:09, Dec 02, 2011

The following three short interviews talk about what makes a neighbour like St. Raymond (Montreal) exciting, vibrant and interesting… Also, what could be changed and improved.

Learning from St. Raymond (Montreal)... What makes it vibrant and what does not...

The following three short interviews talk about what makes a neighbour like St. Raymond (Montreal) exciting, vibrant and interesting… Also, what could be changed and improved.

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DeletedUser

09:05, Dec 03, 2011

Creating room for people to GROW is essential to restoring vibrancy.

Room For Growth

Creating room for people to GROW is essential to restoring vibrancy.

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DeletedUser

17:39, Dec 01, 2011

Sustainability and public design in neighborhoods in transition

Quick Fix

Sustainability and public design in neighborhoods in transition

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DeletedUser

06:28, Dec 01, 2011

This isn't an interview of someone in my city, but insightful. Fifty years ago this month, Random House published The Death and Life of Great American Cities, an extraordinary book in which Jacobs laid out the principles for creating a healthy city.

Jane Jacobs and the power of activism. Classic insight, still relevant 50 years later.

This isn't an interview of someone in my city, but insightful. Fifty years ago this month, Random House published The Death and Life of Great American Cities, an extraordinary book in which Jacobs laid out the principles for creating a healthy city.

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DeletedUser

06:44, Nov 22, 2011

Is happiness relative, especially in cities where wealth disparities are apparent? I interviewed members from slums to the general public for stories. I asked them to rate their happiness from 1-10, reflecting the number of flowers in each portrait.

Mapping Happiness with Flowers

Is happiness relative, especially in cities where wealth disparities are apparent? I interviewed members from slums to the general public for stories. I asked them to rate their happiness from 1-10, reflecting the number of flowers in each portrait.

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DeletedUser

08:05, Nov 30, 2011

CEO Tony Hsieh is “gambling on downtown Las Vegas”, and betting that moving Zappos out of the suburbs will pay off in an urban revival.

Urban Innovation – Las Vegas Downtown Project

CEO Tony Hsieh is “gambling on downtown Las Vegas”, and betting that moving Zappos out of the suburbs will pay off in an urban revival.

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Lei Niu

08:57, Dec 02, 2011

Forbes article released today: Parking lots really do negatively effect a community.

Parking Lots Are a Waste of Space and a Drag on Growth

Forbes article released today: Parking lots really do negatively effect a community.

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DeletedUser

16:22, Nov 18, 2011

Medical students face a big dilemma upon graduating in Hungary - they can continue on interning and specializing in Hungary for so little salary that they might starve to death or move abroad and leave their beloved country behind.

Doctors fight for survival in Hungary

Medical students face a big dilemma upon graduating in Hungary - they can continue on interning and specializing in Hungary for so little salary that they might starve to death or move abroad and leave their beloved country behind.

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Szilvia Varga

10:06, Dec 04, 2011

Using tax incentives to promote cultural events. In Brazil, there is a law (called "Rouanet"), which gives corporations the incentive to invest in cultural events. This is essentially how city in a poor region is able to finance cultural events...

Cultural Tax-Incentives

Using tax incentives to promote cultural events. In Brazil, there is a law (called "Rouanet"), which gives corporations the incentive to invest in cultural events. This is essentially how city in a poor region is able to finance cultural events...

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Brian Butler

13:12, Nov 28, 2011

Safiatou lives in neighborhood called Calaban Coura (means “New city”), with a lot of houses are in a never-ending process of construction because of the economic situation and also a high porcentage of women without economic possibilities.

Speaking with my friend Safiatou from Bamako, Mali.

Safiatou lives in neighborhood called Calaban Coura (means “New city”), with a lot of houses are in a never-ending process of construction because of the economic situation and also a high porcentage of women without economic possibilities.

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