Rødovre, DK paves the way for smarter urban development with Autodesk Forma software
Rødovre's high population density led municipal officials toward a data-driven approach to development. Autodesk Forma produces maps, visualizations, and simulations based on historical data and current proposals. Stakeholders test the impacts of development on factors ranging from road noise to green spaces. Months of internal testing were followed by the formal adoption of the cloud-based software for three urban development projects.
Rødovre, DK
Denmark
Yarra, VIC and Merri-bek City Council develop Unlocking Sustainable Strata guides for rental units
Council officials developed the guides in recognition of the lack of resources for apartment and townhome residents. A dedicated website walks users through the steps to installing solar in apartment buildings, state rebates, and other considerations. Two-page guides are available for townhomes along with low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise apartments. Each guide explains how owners and tenants work together to achieve upgrades like centralized heat pumps, community gardens, and LED lighting.
Yarra, VIC
Australia
Merri-bek, VIC
Australia
New Westminster, BC opens reGENERATE Ideas Challenge for a redeveloped 22nd Street SkyTrain Station
The two-month competition seeks proposals from the entire community for the redeveloped neighborhood. Ideas must achieve "a climate-friendly neighbourhood where everyone can thrive" within the framework of climate action, truth and reconciliation, and equity. A jury of experts will evaluate each proposal based on relevance, creativity, and value alignment. Winning projects are in line for prizes ranging from CAD 200 for Honourable Mentions to CAD 5,000 for the Top Comprehensive Idea.
New Westminster, BC
Canada
Amsterdam, NH responds to privacy concerns from mobile mapping with Blurring as a Service solution
Mobile mapping projects in Amsterdam result in street footage without anonymization. The city's Computer Vision Team developed its own algorithm for blurring personal information in panoramic images. Blurring as a Service recognizes entire people and vehicles compared to face and license plate identification used by other software. This solution protects personal privacy rights without manual editing or outside software costs.
Amsterdam, NH
Netherlands
London Royal Borough of Greenwich, GB informs care technology use with Resident Design Group
Borough officials and Rethink Partners initially spoke with 200 residents and practitioners about Assistive Technology Enabled Care (ATEC) options. The Resident Design Group is a 12-member group meeting monthly to turn initial findings into real-world solutions. The borough recruited residents with experiences in social care or providing care to loved ones for the group. Participants receive vouchers during the co-design process with additional feedback sought after ATEC implementation.
London Royal Borough of Greenwich, GB
United Kingdom
London Borough of Hounslow, GB elevates small businesses with Advance for Growth competition
Advance for Growth seeks applications from locally registered businesses with less than 25 employees and £5 million in annual income. The winning business receives one year of free Digital Out-of-Home advertising across the borough. Outdoor advertising partner JCDecaux provides personalized audience insights, planning, and creative consultations. Additional benefits for the winner include one year of business mentoring from the council and a front-page feature in Let's Talk Business magazine.
London Borough of Hounslow, GB
United Kingdom
Santa Barbara County, CA evaluates 3D printing for affordable home construction during pilot
The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments received a $375,000 state grant for a 3D-printed home in Goleta. Apis Cor will print walls with innovative robotic technology and install them on a standard foundation. The county's Housing Trust Fund will work with university researchers to compare the structure's environmental impacts with traditional construction. This trial seeks an option for mass home construction in a county with an average home cost of $870,000.
Santa Barbara County, CA
United States
Kwinana, WA turns resident ideas into revitalized spaces with the Wellard Village 7 Day Makeover
Local residents proposed, voted on, and planned public space improvements during a brainstorming session. The council developed a Resource Bank with donated materials and funds. Community members and city employees brought approved ideas to life during the one-week event. Natural play areas, an arcade, and additional seating improved a high-traffic area of the village called The Strand. Follow-up surveys and a post-event Place Game provided additional avenues for public engagement.
Kwinana, WA
Australia
New York, NY lays the groundwork for sustainable building design with the NYC Mass Timber Studio
Design and architecture teams with early-phase mass timber concepts are sought for the nine-month program. Each team receives ongoing guidance from WoodWorks and the city's Department of Buildings. These consultations range from life cycle assessments of building materials to cost-benefit analyses. Selected projects also receive $25,000 grants from the USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations Program to turn preliminary ideas into final designs.
New York, NY
United States
Gedling Borough Council, GB supports independent living for seniors with Bath Out initiative
The program sought 15 senior residents in Netherfield interested in converting bathrooms into wet rooms. Project partner Longhurst Group worked with each participant on design options including walk-in showers, grab bars, and accessible sinks. Gedling Borough Council covered Bath Out's £105,000 cost with money received from the Better Care Fund. Each conversion will save an estimated £73,000 by reducing hospital and supported housing stays caused by falls.
Gedling Borough Council, GB
United Kingdom
London Borough of Haringey, GB uses modular approach to housing the homeless with Olive Morris Court
Borough officials and The Hill Group used volumetric construction to deliver 32 SoloHaus units on a former industrial site. Each one-person unit was built and furnished in a factory with all units installed at Olive Morris Court in a single day. Long-term unhoused residents receive on-site and in-home support from the council's Homeless Health Inclusion Team. SoloHaus homes feature kitchenettes, bathrooms, washing machines, and Secured by Design-compliant doorways.
London Borough of Haringey, GB
United Kingdom
Vancouver, BC opens Canada's first fire station to meet national zero-carbon building standards
The new Firehall 17 eliminates 99.67% of operational emissions created by its predecessor through better design. A draft-free structure, water recovery systems, and ground-source heat pumps improve on the standard firehall. Radio and IT infrastructure within the firehall support its use as a post-disaster communications hub. Vancouver earned LEED Gold and Net Zero Energy certification for the project with Passive House certification in progress.
Vancouver, BC
Canada