Innovation means different things to different people. For Bridges to Prosperity (B2P), a nonprofit that builds footbridges in the developing world, it’s a way to help people thrive despite limited resources.
By encouraging volunteers to think creatively and incorporating successful ideas into its standard plans, B2P continually improves its ability to help people in remote areas access healthcare, education, and jobs. Learning from failure According to Alex McNeill, B2P’s program manager for Nicaragua, this approach goes back to the organization’s earliest days. “Our founder was reading in the National Geographic about a community in Ethiopia that undertook a dangerous river crossing every day,” he said. “He was an engineer and got some of his friends together, and they went down there and came up with a solution.” Three months later, a new steel bridge was in place.
FULL STORY: With resources scarce, bridge-builders cultivate creativity
Bridges to Prosperity's First U.S. Span Planned in Denver
Part of wider plans to revitalize Denver's River North neighborhood, a planned pedestrian and bike bridge will call on the services of Bridges to Prosperity. The nonprofit has constructed 270 small bridges across the world.
Massachusetts Gov. Makes Case for Road Funding Reforms
A package of proposed bills would change the state’s road funding formula to ensure more money flows to rural areas with limited resources.
Texas Infrastructure Gets a ‘C’
The American Society of Civil Engineers rates states in 16 categories related to transportation, water, waste management, parks, and more.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
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Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
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Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service