From city-issued ID cards to open-source data anyone can access, simple urban innovations are creating more transparent and equitable cities.
Harry Potter stood up for his world's most vulnerable people. Now, legions of real-world kids are too—by demanding Fair Trade certification for products sold in their hero's name.
Reading is one of Pennsylvania’s poorest cities. Can its residents turn things around by building a more democratic economy?
“Teachers are better prepared because #FergusonSyllabus created a space for exchange among educators about best practices and materials for illustrating the best and worst of our democracy.”
Last year, scientists found that gratitude makes us financially smarter, mindfulness reduces racism, a little sadness makes for healthier people, and compassion for birds could help tackle climate change.
From Native activists to urban youth, new leadership finds ways to deal with climate chaos.
Advocates didn’t get the public bank they wanted. But the compromise they reached in the end was still a rare and significant win over Wall Street banks.
By some estimates, the city of Baltimore has sunk more than $1.5 billion into its Inner Harbor. Workers and residents want their share too.
The urban drainage-ways of Los Angeles can never quite look like wild creeks, but restoring some of their capacity to store, slow, and filter water fixes many problems at once.
As we reimagine our future cities, we can make room for nature and humanity.
You don't need a garden to grow mushrooms—any cool, shady space will do, even a cupboard or dark corner.
Density has become a dirty word in some circles because people associate it with big, ugly buildings. Luckily, there are other ways to get people living close together.
Companies and startups are aspiring toward an economy, and an Internet, that is more fully ours with the use of cooperatives, "commons-based peer production," and cryptocurrencies.
Members of the Greek seed bank Peliti say that keeping their wares in production—instead of in refrigerators—improves the health of the plants they’re working to save.
Let’s be honest: It was a brutal year for human rights. But we still have victories worth celebrating.
Rick Williams asked for calm when protesters demanded justice for his brother, who was shot and killed by a Seattle police officer. But he realizes that "the only way you can help change the system is show them you are a human being."
The late Maya Angelou said: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” When it comes to injustices, we’re all part of the problem—and the solution.
It's been called "America's untrendiest trend." The evidence that millions of people are finally walking again is as solid as the ground beneath our feet.
How do you fit a full-sized family into a tiny house? The Morrisons and Kasls found that the benefits of life in 200 square feet outweigh the difficulties.
In building her tiny house, the author built a simpler and happier life.
Tired of the spending that goes along with the holidays? The gifting frenzy? The stress? Maybe this is the year to blend a few new ideas into your holiday routine.
Stories in classic literature remind us that for most of our history, end-of-season gatherings celebrated local harvests. Can we find our way back?
This year’s most popular movies and TV series can be a tool to work your way out of a particularly bad conversation.
This weekend, thousands converged on one of the world's biggest malls, chanting "Black people cannot breathe while you have a shopping spree." Check out our play-by-play.
Slacktivism? Not so much. From #BlackLivesMatter to #BringBackOurGirls, this year's best hashtags around issues of social justice brought fresh voices into some of our most important conversations.
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