An Open Streets Family Reunion: Reflections from the 2018 Open Streets Summit

By Ryan O’Connor, Director of Programs, 8 80 Cities Recently 8 80 Cities wrote a blog post about open streets being a labour of love. That being the case, the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans felt like a family reunion of sorts. It was rejuvenating to see old and new friends who share our passion for open streets and are working tirelessly to create healthier, happier, and more connected communities across the world. The event, which took place on September 15-16, brought together more than 50 leaders who currently organize open streets programs or are interested in bringing the...

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Open Streets Summit Draft Agenda

We hope you are getting ready and feel excited about the Open Streets Summit in Gretna/New Orleans! Taking place from September 15-16, 2018, the Summit will feature tours, presentations and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Attendees will learn about the nuts and bolts of starting or scaling up open streets programs, including: Route design and planning Partnerships with business and officials Social inclusion Safety and logistics Marketing and promotion Program evaluation through measurable goals and metrics If you haven’t done it yet, click here to register for the Open Streets Summit only or...

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Open Streets Summit Speakers Announced!

The Open Streets Project is proud to announce that Ed Solis from Viva Calle (San Jose, CA), Romel Pascual from CicLAvia (Los Angeles, CA), Jaymie Santiago and Charles Brown from New Brunswick Ciclovia will join us as speakers for the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans and Gretna! Taking place from September 15-16 2018, the Summit will feature: Behind the scenes tour of the City of Gretna’s inaugural open streets program. Workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Training and inspiration for both -novice and experienced- open streets organizers and supporters...

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Meta + LISC Announce $5M Effort to Build Capacity of 20 Community Organizations, Bridging Gaps in Equity + Opportunity

LISC and Meta joined forces on a $5 million effort to build the capacity of 20 community organizations to fuel jobs, housing, health, and economic development in underinvested communities. The program is unique because it provides flexible funding that organizations can use to strengthen staffing and operations, expand community outreach capabilities, and develop fundraising strategies.

LISC and Partners Launch “What’s Possible”: A Blueprint for Sustainable American Communities

LISC, Enterprise Community Partners and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York have published What's Possible: Investing NOW for Prosperous, Sustainable Neighborhoods. With contributions from LISC green and financing experts, the volume is a timely and crucial guidebook to equitable green investing and community development and especially timely on the heels of the historic $20 billion in federal investment to expand access to clean energy and climate solutions.

Meaningful Engagement: A Key to Equitable Climate Action in Community Development

In her chapter from What’s Possible: Investing NOW for Prosperous, Sustainable Neighborhoods, LISC’s Madeline del Carmen Fraser Cook, who also co-edited the book, explores the imperative of authentic community engagement in the work of supporting historically underinvested places to become more energy efficient and climate resilient. It’s a process that demands insight, bona fide listening and what she describes as “working at the speed of trust.”