Building Efficiency Isn’t Cool, But It’s Critical. How Can We Spur a Global Movement?
Building Efficiency Isn’t Cool, But It’s Critical. How Can We Spur a Global Movement?
The time has never been better – or more critical – for spurring a global building efficiency movement. Building efficiency is one of the most effective near-term opportunities for achieving climate and energy goals. Better efficiency policies for new and ...
Amid Climate Uncertainty, Zero-Carbon Buildings Offer a Guiding North Star
Amid Climate Uncertainty, Zero-Carbon Buildings Offer a Guiding North Star
“Back in the good old days, the construction industry had to worry about a few keys things: Will it stand up, is it functional and does it look nice? Not so anymore.” So began WRI President and CEO Andrew Steer ...
As Road Accidents Pile Up, India Debates a New National Safety Law
As Road Accidents Pile Up, India Debates a New National Safety Law
In July last year, Nitin Gadkari, India’s minister for road transport and highways, informed parliament that the country loses over 150,000 lives to road traffic accidents every year. More damningly, the country has only about 2 percent of the world’s motor vehicles ...
The Better Bus Challenge: Accelerating Mobility Innovation for Public Transit in India
The Better Bus Challenge: Accelerating Mobility Innovation for Public Transit in India
Over the last decade, India has established itself as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Along with an annual GDP growth rate of 7.1 percent, the country is adding over 12 million people to the workforce every year. Coupled ...
Independence Haze: Data Shows Air Pollution Spikes from July 4th Fireworks
Independence Haze: Data Shows Air Pollution Spikes from July 4th Fireworks
Fireworks, block parties and barbeques: Those are the first things that come to mind when the 4th of July rolls around. But what’s least talked about is the quality of breathable air on the nation’s birthday. Data shows that levels of fine ...
Why We Need a Summit on Youth Urban Road Safety
Why We Need a Summit on Youth Urban Road Safety
Our cities are rapidly expanding, and with them motorization is increasing at an unchecked pace. Unless the global community takes meaningful strides to address the impact of these trends on the most vulnerable in our society, we will be met ...
Design as Democracy: Barcelona’s ‘Carritos’ Encourage a More Inclusive Urbanism
Design as Democracy: Barcelona’s ‘Carritos’ Encourage a More Inclusive Urbanism
Community participation has become a checklist item for any major urban development project. But what does community participation actually mean? What would it look like if we flipped the responsibility of engagement from citizens to designers? What if, instead of ...
6 Transport Solutions to Give İzmir’s Historic Center Back to the People
6 Transport Solutions to Give İzmir’s Historic Center Back to the People
With 5,000 years of history and culture, the city of İzmir along the Ionian Coast is one of Turkey’s most remarkable urban areas. It’s a unique nexus between the past and present, with a variety of archaeological conservation sites but also Turkey’s ...
Do More Cyclists Mean a Happier City? Yes and No
Do More Cyclists Mean a Happier City? Yes and No
Across Colombia’s cities, bicycle users are the most satisfied commuters, according to a new survey. In 2016, 86 percent of bicyclists in 18 cities were satisfied with their commutes, compared to just 48 percent for mass transit and 74 percent ...
How a Small Experiment in Delhi’s Suburbs Sparked a National Car-Free Movement
How a Small Experiment in Delhi’s Suburbs Sparked a National Car-Free Movement
Imagine a city where roads that are normally clogged with traffic and clouded with smog are instead filled with people – rich and poor, young and old, men and women, all laughing, dancing, watching their children play, cycling Raahgand skating ...