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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Grace Lee Boggs: An Ally in the Vanguard of Racial Justice

As LISC marks the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, assistant general counsel Ted Shen reflects on the imperative of allyship, and the extraordinary life and example of Grace Lee Boggs—philosopher, activist and exemplary ally in the struggle for racial and economic equity.

Reaching Our Climate Goals Demands Affordable, Sustainable Housing

In an opinion piece for Next City, LISC’s Madeline Fraser Cook, together with partners from Enterprise, RMI and the California Housing Partnership, make the case for ramping up investment in green, affordable housing. A commitment to creating sustainable homes, they argue, is imperative to addressing the country's housing crisis and to close income and health gaps as well as slow climate change.

LISC Launches Asset Transition Fund to Help the Twin Cities Build Back Stronger

LISC Twin Cities has launched the Community Asset Transition Fund to ensure that local residents and cooperatives can take ownership of properties and land along the cities’ cultural corridors. It's part of the push for “more inclusion, engagement and ownership by people of color, not only to repair what was damaged, but also to help generate new prosperity and wealth for members of the community,” says Peter McLaughlin, LISC Twin Cities ED, in an article on the fund in Impact Alpha.