“Threading the Needle” of Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice for Cities
“Threading the Needle” of Environmental Sustainability and Social Justice for Cities
This blog is part of our World Resources Report (WRR) series. The WRR looks at cities as drivers of economic and social opportunity, and simultaneously as areas with concentrations of poverty, environmental degradation, and inequality. Responding to these opportunities and ...
Why Design and Mobility Are Key for Creating Safer Cities for All
Why Design and Mobility Are Key for Creating Safer Cities for All
On November 18 – 19, 2015 Brazil will host the UN’s 2nd Global High Level Conference on Road Safety in Brasilia, convening national governments, cities, and civil society organizations. The conference is a unique moment to bring impetus to the Decade ...
How Grassroots Organizing Is Building a Bike Culture in Almaty
How Grassroots Organizing Is Building a Bike Culture in Almaty
In Central Asia, cities have traditionally had parks and tree-lined streets to provide shade and attract pedestrians. Recently, however, pedestrian space has been sacrificed for more roads to accommodate the increase in private vehicles. Further, with cities prioritizing cars more ...
Setting the Goal Posts for Energy Use: How Energy Efficiency Targets Trigger Action
Setting the Goal Posts for Energy Use: How Energy Efficiency Targets Trigger Action
The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score — Bill Copeland. Goals help provide our everyday lives with structure, and operate similarly at the institutional ...
Friday Fun: Which Transport Mode Would You Choose? The Sounds of Commuting into Washington, DC
Friday Fun: Which Transport Mode Would You Choose? The Sounds of Commuting into Washington, DC
In December of 2007, I visited Tokyo, one of the largest and densest cities in the world. While I stood at an intersection near the busy Shibuya Station (which serves 2.4 million passengers per day), it struck me that the ...
6 Features That Make Brazil's Affordable Housing Program Good for People and the Environment
6 Features That Make Brazil's Affordable Housing Program Good for People and the Environment
Brazil’s Minha Casa, Minha Vida (MCMV – “My House, My Life” in English) program was created to provide housing and improve quality of life for low-income families across the country. Currently, more than 9.6 million low- and low-middle income families reside in ...
The UN’s New Urban Agenda Needs to Monitor and Review Cities’ Progress
The UN’s New Urban Agenda Needs to Monitor and Review Cities’ Progress
In October of 2016, UN Member States will meet in Quito, Ecuador for the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Development (Habitat III). Taking place 20 years after its predecessor, Habitat III will set the New Urban Agenda, an agreement ...
Turkey's Population and Energy Demand Are Booming. What This Means for Sustainable Cities
Turkey's Population and Energy Demand Are Booming. What This Means for Sustainable Cities
WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities in Turkey will host the 3rd Livable Cities Symposium on November 19-20,  2015 in Istanbul. The Symposium will gather national and international experts, practitioners and researchers to discuss energy and transportation policies, community engagement, and ...
How Can Cities Avoid Carbon Lock-in?
How Can Cities Avoid Carbon Lock-in?
Cities have proven themselves to be necessary in combating climate change; however, the current trajectory for urban growth is still an unsustainable path and carbon emissions are already expected to surpass thresholds considered acceptable. One of the largest problems is ...
Friday Fun: Designing Intersections for Cyclists
Friday Fun: Designing Intersections for Cyclists
Biking alongside traffic can be a stressful experience in many cities. Dedicated bike lanes are the best solution for protecting cyclists—however, many cities struggle to even put in painted lanes—a simple and cost-effective solution. At worst, cyclists have no designated ...