Dear friends,

Over the years, we’ve talked about the challenges and opportunities our cities face, from social unrest to climate change. Those conversations have inspired this newsletter: Building Better Cities with Kate Gasparro (i.e. my musings and work on urban innovation).

Each month, I will be highlighting ideas that show us how we can build better cities. Because, as we know, city design and governance determines how we live, who we interact with, where we work, and what resources we can access.

Since graduating with my PhD, I’ve been managing infrastructure delivery for one of California’s largest mixed-use developments. At the same time, I’ve built a consultancy that helps practitioners, academics, and policymakers assess new technologies and approaches for building better cities.

Below, you’ll find my recent work, ideas for improving cities, and the latest in urban innovation. Take a read and reach out for more information.

Looking forward to connecting with you,
Kate

Recent Work

Growing Wealth in Opportunity Zones: A Proposal for Community Equity Trusts

Learn how to build wealth in vulnerable communities. Authored by Kofi Bonner, Roberta Achtenberg, Lori Bamberger, Bruce Katz, and myself.

Crowdfunding and Recessions: Two Peas in a Pod?

Crowdfunding has become a new tool for building city infrastructure projects. COVID-19 has set the stage for crowdfunding’s second rise. Check out the original piece I authored for InfraShares.
 

Ideas Worth Discussing

Build Equitable Cities… with land banks

Land banks have special powers to turn vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties into productive properties for the community.

  • Land Bank Twin Cities is acting fast during COVID-19 to protect vulnerable communities [NextCity]

  • Land banks can help cities emerge from COVID-19 [CityLab]

  • Congress is considering new powers for land banks [NPQ]

Build Dynamic Cities… with tactical urbanism

Tactical urbanism, also known as DIY Urbanism, is an approach that uses short-term, low-cost, and scalable design solutions.

  • Paint, chalk, and tape— COVID-19 has made tactical urbanism a necessity [Yahoo]

  • DIY grassroots campaigns make car-less streets [NextCity]

  • City planners need tactical urbanism to navigate COVID-19 [Planetizen]

Build Accountable Cities… with blockchain

Blockchain is a digital, public ledger that can hold cities accountable by making processes more efficient and transparent.

  • City of Berkeley uses blockchain to track bond returns [Forbes]

  • The Dubai Government uses blockchain in 4 sectors [TechRadar]

  • More US states are legislating blockchain for smart city initiatives [Roll Call]
 

Cities are Building Better

San Jose launches Innovation Zones to pilot new urbantech [StateTech]

New book shows that cities are built for men, not women [Curbed]

Ban dollar stores to reduce crime and community neglect [ProPublica]

11 cities are using universal basic income to provide economic security [Time]

$1.5T infrastructure bill can improve cities, but the Senate won’t pass it [Politico]
 

Share Your Work

I would love to hear from you and learn more about your work. Don’t hesitate to reach out to continue the conversation. Feel free to forward this email and subscribe your friends. In the meantime, follow @KateGasparro.