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From bleak to bustling: how one French town solved its high street crisis

Angelique Chrisafis

May 20, 2019 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: France, Mulhouse

Mulhouse, a small city in France, brushed off its negative reputation and used community networking, clever financing, and urban renewal as tools to become a bustling center once again. The town relied on many community associations and local voices to grow their economy; now, the city has more shops opening than closing.

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What Mansfield can learn from the brand Marion made, Fargo's frost-themed festival and Ohio's wee bit of Irish attitude

Tracy Geibel

May 17, 2019 |

Richland Source |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mansfield, Ohio

Mansfield, Ohio leaders look to cities across the country for inspiration from successes - and lessons from failures - to help them rebuild their downtown brand. From Austin, Texas, to Fargo, South Dakota, these successful cities offer examples of initiatives that have funded revitalization and economic growth in their own city centers by way of community engagement and trust among leaders.

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Fort Wayne Makes Its Own Luck

James Fallows

April 26, 2019 |

The Atlantic |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Fort Wayne, Indiana follows the national trend that transforms old abandoned buildings into new economic powerhouses by converting what was once the massive GE campus into a mixed space of residential, business and retail space. While some cities tore down older structures in the '70s and '80s, cities who kept their open-space warehouses -- cities like Fort Wayne -- are now taking advantage of the empty spaces and making room for economic growth and civic participation.

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Can You Save a Dying Italian Town with the Art of Storytelling?

Alessandra Bergamin

April 23, 2019 |

Literary Hub |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Italy, Rosarno

A group of locals in Rosarno, Italy - a town known for its organized crime and racism - reclaimed the perception of their home by creating a comprehensive tourism guide for the city. The guide creation helped to stimulate local passion projects, including renovation of local community hubs that now allow people to gather and collaborate rather than focus on differences within the community.

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Local nonprofit fosters West End growth

Amy Peters

February 28, 2019 |

The Watch |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Nucla, Colorado

With the help of the nonprofit West End Economic Development Corporation (WEEDC), communities in Southwest Colorado use creative financing and collective action to rebuild their economies after the downfall of the coal mining industry. One town, Nucla, invested in a coworking space, business classes. and other tools to help community members start and maintain small businesses.

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Development is booming in Milwaukee Junction, but you might not have noticed it

Patrick Dunn

February 19, 2019 |

Model D |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Milwaukee Junction, a neighborhood in Detroit, focuses on urban renewal and business promotion as it seeks to become the next "up-and-coming" area in the city. Developers seek out abandoned lots and old auto manufacturing facilities to build space for retailers, restaurants and entertainment centers that bring tourists into the area.

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Revised San Diego Law Allows for More Parklets, Pop-Ups

Rachel Kaufman

February 12, 2019 |

Next City |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

San Diego residents may be seeing more placemaking projects, like murals or pedestrian plazas, because of a more streamlined permitting process. The city, notorious for making such projects difficult and expense to install, passed legislation and will be reviewing it to assess whether it should be expanded. San Diego has also created a fund that can help offset the costs of permit fees and other expenses.

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One Black Woman's Vision to Save Her Struggling Atlanta Neighborhood Through Greenspace

Brentin Mock

February 01, 2019 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Atlanta, Georgia

A new community center and greenspace are reviving a West Atlanta neighborhood by providing a safe space for children to play. Developers have also received suggestions from community members to expand the greenspace with new additions such as bird habitats, basketball courts, soccer fields, park lights, fountains, and a fully equipped playground.

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On-the-ground pollution data spurred stricter zoning in Los Angeles

Ruxandra Guidi

January 31, 2019 |

High Country News |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Boyle Heights, California

In Boyle Heights, a working class neighborhood of Los Angeles, members of the community have taken to the streets armed with clipboards and pens to document environmental hazards, zoning violations, and and other things that endanger their fellow residents. They then took this on-the-ground information, which they called "ground truths," to local politicians to advocate for change.

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Why Old Buildings Are the Key to Transforming a City

Sydney Worth

January 23, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Tucson, Arizona

In an era of wildly expanding cities, local governments look toward a trend called "reurbanism," which promotes the revitalization of old, locally-owned structures. Cities like Tucson, AZ and Los Angeles embrace reurbanism initiatives to ensure developers make the most of older, smaller establishments within city limits.

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