People for Urban Progress

We just learned of this terrific organization – the People for Urban Progress (or PUP), based out of Indianapolis. PUP is a non-profit organization that promotes and advances public transit, environmental awareness, and urban design.

They deal with projects regarding urban livability, public transportation and recycling; and they have a lot of cool products that are made from recycled materials. The website states:

We stand for project-based urban progress.

We’re an idea incubator, design center, and do-tank.

We began with the idea that the SOLUTION to any urban problem must consider transit, environment, and design in unison. As such, we work with communities and designers to develop innovative and affordable strategies to enhance Indianapolis’ urban quality of life.

In order to do this, we MAKE things. And these small things help fund the big things – the big IDEAS. Our DOME BAG PROJECT is a quintessential example of this way of thinking and working. After we salvaged the roof of the RCA/Hoosier Dome in 2008, we started working with local designers to make products from the fabric. The sale of these products helped us fund the installation of larger public shade structures and pavilions throughout our community… many of which will be installed the summer of 2011.

Check it out!

Walkable neighborhoods appeal to buyers

While not everyone pines for an urban lifestyle, many people see the advantages of living in a place where residents can walk to most destinations, easily access public transportation and enjoy cultural attractions. Perhaps, they can even live car-free.

Walk Score is a Web site that rates neighborhoods based on their “walkable” features. Since the site was launched in July 27, more than 6 million addresses have been searched.

Walk Score defines a walkable neighborhood as one that has a center (a main street, public square or shopping district); density, which means that local businesses can flourish and public transportation runs frequently; mixed-income and mixed-use developments are part of the community; parks or other public spaces are easily accessible; a pedestrian-centric design with buildings placed near the street for foot traffic, and nearby schools and workplaces.

Most of these elements are found in neighborhoods within city limits, but developers are now creating communities in the suburbs with town centers that mimic urban areas. Many of these suburban town centers include restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, along with office space and a residential component, where residents can find urban-style living outside the city.

To read the entire article in the Washington Times, please click here.

Urban Living Helps Curb Global Warming

At first glance, cities may appear to be a big source of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. But new research by the nonprofit Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), which compares greenhouse gas emissions of city and suburban households, yields some surprising results.

CNT looked at emissions of carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas, stemming from household vehicle travel in 55 metropolitan areas across the U.S. When measured on a per household basis, it found that the transportation-related emissions of people living in cities and compact neighborhoods can be nearly 70% less than those living in suburbs.

“Cities are more location-efficient – meaning key destinations are closer to where people live and work,” said Scott Bernstein, CNT’s President. “They require less time, money, fuel and greenhouse gas emissions for residents to meet their everyday travel needs. People can walk, bike, car-share, take public transit. So residents of cities and compact communities generate less CO2 per household than people who live in more dispersed communities, like many suburbs and outlying areas.

“If you’re deciding where to live, consider moving to an urban area. You’ll help fight global warming by emitting less CO2. And you’re likely to drive less, so you’ll spend less on transportation, saving up to $5,000 annually.”