27 Sep The Doable City Reader – A Reminder That Change in Our Cities Is Doable (Possible)
Five years ago we embarked on our first project with Knight Foundation, the Doable City Forum in Chicago, which brought together two hundred civic innovators from around North America.
Rich conversations amongst participants and presenters lead us to work with our friends at Discourse Media to put together the Doable City Reader – a resource for anyone looking into making change in their city.
There is so much to do to make our cities happier, healthier, 8 80 focused and more prosperous, equitable places. Rethinking the role of our streets and public spaces is a good place where to start.
We know change isn’t easy. But, recognizing that all human beings have the right to mobility, right to public space, and right to participate in decision-making processes that affect them will drive communities and decision-makers in the right direction. Some of the improvements we want to see in our cities will take years to take place, others are short-term, low-cost and easily implemented. The truth is that change is already happening either in small or large scales and having a massive impact.
Conceived as an educational resource, The Doable City Reader is a reminder that change is possible. With many layers of information along with its five chapters, this useful resource shares ideas to bring these solutions to your communities.
Some of the topics included are:
- How cities of all sizes are creating free-bike shares and encouraging thousands of people to get outside and be active
- How streets can be transformed for happier citizens
- What existing but hidden assets each city has that can be used overnight
- How businesses benefit from good public spaces that are accessible to all
- Related real-life stories of how people have gone about making those changes, which are doable – that means possible
Many of the best, most authentic and enduring destinations in a city, the places that keep locals and tourists coming back again and again and that anchor quality, local jobs, were born out of a series of incremental, locally-based improvements. One by one, these interventions have built places that were more than the sum of their parts. — Project for Public Spaces
Happy reading!
