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
Kitchener, ON Growing Together engagement campaign shapes the future of Major Transit Station Areas
Kitchener took a multi-faceted approach to shaping future developments at MTSAs with Growing Together. Online exercises on the Engage Kitchener platform asked for residents' favorite places and streets near ION light rail stops. Community members were also asked for comments on proposed Strategic Growth Areas supporting responsible development near MTSAs. In-person workshops and office hours used 3D-printed city models for informed discussions of growth proposals.
Kitchener, ON
Canada
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
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
Odense, DK shapes local agreements on community improvements with the LEAP digital platform
A three-year engagement effort divided Odense neighborhoods into three cohorts for digital engagement on how to use 625 million kroner for neighborhood and school improvement. The LEAP - Leadership, Empowerment, and Advocacy for the People - platform hosted virtual meetings and sent online surveys to residents. Ongoing discussions with community members led to co-designed solutions for social vulnerability, public safety, and improved student outcomes.
Odense, DK
Denmark
Los Angeles County, CA harnesses anonymized fitness app and location data for more equitable parks
The county's Department of Parks and Recreation used data from Strava users for evaluations of park usage. Unacast location data from 2019 to 2020 provided insights into usage at 40 facilities in outlying areas. These data sets were analyzed within the context of park-poor communities identified through the Healthy Places Index. County officials then approved a revised park needs assessment with recommendations for remedying social barriers and environmental vulnerabilities.
Los Angeles County, CA
United States
London Borough of Merton, GB adopts technological approach to recognizing origins of street names
Borough officials initiated a two-month public consultation on how to acknowledge street names with historical ties to slavery. This process excluded street renaming due to the accompanying expense and mapping complications. A majority of respondents supported recognition with QR codes on impacted streets as the most popular solution. The council will develop QR landing pages that shed light on the backgrounds of streets like Marryat Road and Drax Avenue.
London Borough of Merton, GB
United Kingdom
Essex County Council, GB pursues Climate Action Plan goals with Carbon Cutting Essex mobile app
Essex County Council worked with Greenredeem on a free tool for residents to reduce their environmental impacts. Carbon Cutting Essex contains instructional videos on eco-friendly activities, pledges to change behaviors, and quizzes about climate change. Users earn points by completing activities with points redeemable for entries into prize drawings or charitable donations. The mobile app fits into a £200 million plan that includes solar, flood resiliency, and housing retrofit initiatives.
Essex County Council, GB
United Kingdom
Lethbridge, AB generates interest in organic waste collection with Curbside Enthusiasm Contest
Lethbridge began weekly organic waste pickups for 33,000 households in May 2023. The city seeks participation in the program through the month-long contest. Weekly challenges are posted to the city's website and Facebook page. Participants submit photos of completed challenges and their utility ID numbers through the 311 Chat tool. There are weekly sustainable prize drawings and a random drawing for 10 CA$500 gift cards to local businesses for those completing all weekly challenges.
Lethbridge, AB
Canada
London Borough of Lambeth, GB opens Community Parklet Scheme for resident design suggestions
Individuals and community groups can submit their parklet designs for council funding. The online application form includes a template with mandatory elements like roadside barriers and optional features like bike parking. Successful applicants keep their parklets clean, while the council provides major maintenance services. Twenty-five parklets on street parking spots will be funded as part of the borough's Big Shift initiative for greener and more active travel.
London Borough of Lambeth, GB
United Kingdom
Bundaberg, QLD tracks progress toward its One Million Trees goal with engagement portal
The regional council set the planting goal for the end of 2024 on the path to a net-zero community by 2030. Residents head to the portal to request two seedlings per home or up to 250 free trees as part of the Landowner Program. There are also online forms for submitting trees planted at a resident's expense and suggesting locations for council planting. Inputs from these sources produce a map of every tree planted in Bundaberg with 122,617 trees recorded as of March 23, 2023.
Bundaberg, QLD
Australia
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, GB asks for budget feedback with online simulator
Council officials sought resident suggestions on how to reduce borough expenses by £38 million for a balanced 2023-2024 budget. Simulator users toggled subcategories of six budget areas including Adult Social Care & Health, Neighbourhood Services, and Regeneration. The toggle feature allowed budget reductions of up to 75%. A running total of budget savings turned from red to green when the user achieved a balanced budget.
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, GB
United Kingdom