How Cities Are Shaping International Relations
Shanghai Global City
It can be easy to overlook foreign policy at a city level, given that high-profile agreements are typically made between national governments. However, while countries negotiate international security deals, trade partnerships, and climate agreements, the power of cities to develop ...
How Public Spaces Make Cities More People-Oriented
Picnic Mexico City Public Space
Nossa Cidade (“Our City”), from TheCityFix Brasil, explores critical questions for building more sustainable cities. Every month features a new theme. Leaning on the expertise of researchers and specialists in WRI’s sustainable urban mobility team in Brazil, the series will feature in ...
Live the City 2015 Shows How 5 Cities Are Prioritizing People Over Cars
Barcelona, Spain Metropolis Conference
In cities around the world, urban residents want to live well, with access to jobs, education, healthcare and public space. However, because many of our current practices are inflicting burdensome social and economic costs on our cities, we need to increase ...
Friday Fun: 3 Ways Mobile Technology is Transforming Bus Travel
Buses and Cell Phones in Jinotega, Nicaragua
In the last fifty years, bus systems have evolved significantly as a mode of public transit. From the onset of bus rapid transit (BRT) in the mid-1970s to the growing variety of alternative fuel options—including  cooking oil and human waste ...
Three Keys to Sustainable Urban Governance
Urban Governance and Public Participation
The official launch of the Environmental Democracy Index (EDI) yesterday marked a major milestone for urban governance worldwide. Developed by the Access Initiative and World Resources Institute, EDI looks at environmental decision making at the national level and evaluates countries ...
Three Ways Public Spaces Can Make Cities More Vibrant
The Cheonggye Stream in Seoul
Nossa Cidade (“Our City”), from TheCityFix Brasil, explores critical questions for building more sustainable cities. Every month features a new theme. Leaning on the expertise of researchers and specialists in WRI’s sustainable urban mobility team in Brazil, the series will feature in ...
What Cities Can Learn From Porto Alegre about Inclusive Planning
Porto Alegre's port
The sunset in front of Guaiba River, Usina do Gasômetro, and Mauá Port are iconic symbols of Rio Grande do Sul’s capital, Porto Alegre (“Porto” means port in Portuguese). Porto Alegre is a city full of life and history, and ...
Friday Fun: 2015’s Top Bike Stories So Far
Bay Area Bike-share launch in San Jose, California. Photo by Richard Masoner/Cyclelicious.
Today is our annual Bike to Work Day here in Washington, D.C. For many city residents, commuting is ingrained in their daily routine. By targeting how people regularly travel to and from work, there’s a lot of potential to transform ...
Inside the Fight to Save One of Brazil’s Largest Urban Parks
A Resident of Fortaleza, Brazil
Deep in northeastern Brazil, far from Rio’s famous beaches and São Paulo’s bustling business district, a battle is underway to protect one of the country’s most unique urban habitats. The Cocó Ecological Park occupies nearly 3,000 acres of land in ...
How Rethinking Urban Design Can Create Healthier Communities
Active Design in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Nossa Cidade (“Our City”), from TheCityFix Brasil, explores critical questions for building more sustainable cities. Every month features a new theme. Leaning on the expertise of researchers and specialists in WRI’s sustainable urban mobility team in Brazil, the series will feature in ...