Sustainable Urban Development
With cities expected to host about 70 percent of the world's population, sustainable urban development is key to making communities worldwide more resilient against the growing threat of climate change. Find out about the latest urban practices from across the world aiming to make our cities more sustainable and inclusive in these good-news stories from The Optimist Daily.
People are finally starting to oppose freeway expansion projects
Adding lanes for “traffic relief” remains politically popular, even though we see time and time again that it doesn’t work. In Texas, they’re making “road improvements” by adding lanes and widening highways. And, like so many gigantic urban highway projects of the past, I-45’s Read More...
England is turning its roadsides into wild gardens
In England, vast stretches of roadside have been transformed into what essentially wild gardens with low-growing flowers. Where there were once thick clumps of grass and gravel, there are now wildflowers such as black medic, birds-foot trefoil, and red clover. The whole idea behind this Read More...
Shady trees are saving the city of London billions
London’s leafy streets and gardens have long been prized for their beauty — and more recently their ability to counteract carbon emissions and improve air quality. But the value of urban trees can also be measured with money. A new report from Britain’s Office of National Statistics Read More...
Healthy wetlands can save coastal communities millions of dollars during storms
Wetlands such as mangrove forests, marshes, and seagrass beds are critical habitats for a wide variety of species. They also serve to protect inland areas from storm surges and strong winds. A new analysis of Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal storms has also found that areas with larger wetlands Read More...
Instead of a new airport, Mexico is now building a huge urban park
When plans to build a third runway at London’s Heathrow airport were canceled thanks to heavy objections from environmentalist groups, we at the Optimist Daily celebrated. The only thing that could have made it better is if they turned that proposed third runway into a natural park that would Read More...
Amsterdam’s classy canal boats are going electric ahead of diesel ban
Transitioning from vehicles powered by fossil fuels to electric vehicles doesn’t mean we have to lose the classic aesthetic of old cars and boats. To see what we mean, just look to Amsterdam where the famous canal boats have been getting a clean makeover. Building an entirely new electric canal Read More...
California designates 300 state buildings to house homeless
California Governor Gavin Newsom made addressing homelessness a key issue of his campaign. Last month, he dedicated his State of the State address to the issue with a plan to allocate 286 state properties for use as homeless shelters. This plan builds on his previously proposed plan of Read More...
Fayetteville is proving climate resilience is for all towns big and small
CDP, an international nonprofit that examines climate risk for hundreds of local governments and corporations across the globe, released their latest A list earlier this month. One of the top 34 cities praised for their climate preparedness and commitment to climate action was Fayetteville. You Read More...
New York is enlisting Billy Idol to stop drivers from idling
Cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles are the source of 11 percent of fine particulate air pollution and 28 percent of nitrogen oxide pollution in New York City. On Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio introduced a new initiative to try to make a dent in that pollution by harnessing the star power of, Read More...
Research shows wilderness is vital for our urban spaces
Taking a walk through the woods, going camping, or even just stepping outside for a deep breath of fresh air reminds us of the restorative feeling that comes with time outdoors. We at The Optimist Daily talk a lot about the mental and physical health benefits of time in nature. Now, researchers at Read More...