Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
41 results for "urban planning"
Saudi Arabia is creating its first ever National Urban Policy, bringing together government, private sector, and UN experts to plan smarter, more sustainable cities. The collaborative process shows how international partnerships can help countries modernize urban planning while keeping local leadership at the center.
A new global study reveals a simple solution to urban heat: plant more trees where people take buses and trains. Researchers found wealthy neighborhoods have far more shade, but linking tree planting to public transit could help everyone stay cool.
The 2026 Winter Olympics just proved the Games don't have to leave ghost towns behind. Milan is converting its Olympic Village into thousands of student housing beds while upgraded mountain facilities serve communities year-round.
A small shift of drivers to public transit could slash your commute time by up to 35%, even if you never ride the bus. Better transit options help drivers too.
A transportation planner discovered a simple test for good city design: would people want to take pictures there? His "photo album standard" is helping cities shift from car-focused infrastructure to places where people actually want to spend time.
Your neighborhood matters more than willpower when it comes to walking. New research shows that simply moving to a walkable city adds 1,100 daily steps without changing your mindset.
Vienna is removing parking spaces across the city and replacing them with trees, bike lanes, and community gardens. The result? Car use dropped 37 percent while residents gained cooler, greener neighborhoods.
Australian researchers created an AI tool that chooses exactly which trees to plant and where to cool urban areas by up to 3.5 degrees Celsius. The breakthrough could help cities fight deadly heat waves while making neighborhoods greener and more livable.
Ghana's second-largest city is getting its green identity back through a comprehensive urban greening project led by local universities. The initiative aims to reverse decades of urbanization that stripped away Kumasi's famous "Garden City" reputation.
Colombia's second-largest city has transformed from a place once defined by conflict into a global model for sustainable tourism, welcoming a record 1.2 million international visitors last year. The turnaround came through decades of smart urban planning that connected isolated neighborhoods and built a culture of community-led hospitality.
After last year's severe water shortage, Bengaluru's water board is placing mini tanks in neighborhoods and sending engineers into the field to prevent another summer crisis. The proactive plan prioritizes free access to drinking water for residents in high-risk areas.
After studying 2,000 urban experiments worldwide, researchers discovered why most climate and sustainability projects fail to create lasting change. Their 10 lessons could help cities turn temporary pilots into permanent solutions.
New York's new mayor is proving government can solve everyday problems, starting with the city's shocking bathroom shortage. With just one public restroom for every 8,500 New Yorkers, Zohran Mamdani is investing $4 million to build up to 30 new toilets across the city.
Indian city police are transforming urban streets from car-first to people-first, issuing over 9,000 citations in six weeks to protect pedestrians. The crackdown on illegal parking and zebra crossing violations is already changing driver behavior.
Scientists in Scotland discovered how to use plants and earthworms to clean contaminated drainage systems, creating infrastructure that heals itself. The breakthrough could save cities millions while cutting carbon emissions from expensive soil replacement.
A new four-lane bridge in Dubai is moving nearly three times more vehicles per hour and slashing intersection delays by over a minute. The infrastructure win supports thousands of families in growing communities across the city.
While climate change threatens aging buildings worldwide, engineers are proving we don't need to tear everything down. Smart retrofits and future-focused maintenance can protect our cities for the next 50 years.
Families living in difficult conditions at Velampeta slum will soon have proper houses after the state minister approved a long-awaited construction plan. The decision came after officials visited the neighborhood and listened to residents describe their daily hardships.
Ethiopia is transforming its cities with a nationwide plan that protects the environment while creating economic opportunity. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says balanced urban growth will secure prosperity for the next generation.
A Chicago neighborhood is pushing back against delivery robots crowding their sidewalks, collecting over 3,300 signatures and nearly 1,000 incident reports. The grassroots effort shows communities taking charge of their public spaces before tech rollouts go too far.
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