Sustainable Urban Development
With cities expected to host about 70 percent of the world's population, sustainable urban development is key to making communities worldwide more resilient against the growing threat of climate change. Find out about the latest urban practices from across the world aiming to make our cities more sustainable and inclusive in these good-news stories from The Optimist Daily.
Cob on Wood is a refuge center that empowers the unsheltered in Oakland
A charming refuge for the unsheltered in Oakland has taken form under a highway overpass in West Oakland thanks to a coalition of organizations and members of both the housed and unhoused community. The structures are made of “cob,” a mixture of organic materials including sand, subsoil, water, Read More...
‘Park Habitat’ in San Jose will bring the office and nature together
The benefits of being surrounded by nature have been proven by a large body of research. With that said, wouldn’t it make sense to integrate as much nature as possible into our office spaces, where — at least in non-pandemic times — many of us spend much of our time? Well, a new sustainable Read More...
Cats at Work: Chicago is using feral felines to tackle its rodent crisis
Chicago is famous for its bean sculpture and deep-dish pizza, but it’s also known for its rat problem. Seeking a natural solution to the pest problem, the city has found success in the form of feral cats. Since 2012, the Tree House Humane Society has been capturing feral felines, Read More...
Gothenburg embraces its rainy weather with pro- precipitation design
The Swedish city of Gothenburg is well known for being a frontrunner in the fight against climate change. Recently, it became the first in the world to trial a large-scale zero-emissions city zone. Now, a new initiative aims to make the city even more famous by celebrating its rainy weather with Read More...
The lettuce you eat at a Seoul Subway might literally be grown in a subway
From underground mushroom farms to rooftop oases, the urban farming movement is hitting its stride for the betterment of the planet and city residents. In South Korea, this concept is taking root in a local metro station where startup Farm8 uses 4,240 square feet to improve food resilience and Read More...
This recognition program encourages cities to plant more trees
Planting more trees in urban areas is one of the best ways for cities to improve the wellbeing of their residents while also helping them tackle a growing number of challenges resulting from climate change. In an effort to encourage cities worldwide to green up their concrete-laden cityscapes, an Read More...
Recycling asphalt shingles is now possible thanks to this roofing giant
Affordable and easy to install, it’s not surprising that asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material in the US, covering about 75 percent of the country’s roofs. The problem with it, however, is that 12 to 15 years after installation, they need to be replaced. Due to this, shingles Read More...
Electric future: Why we need to make all stoves gas-free
A third of Americans cook with natural gas in their homes and many, especially kitchen-savvy chefs, seek out these appliances over electric versions, but the health and environmental effects of gas raise the question: Why are we still using these cooktops? What's wrong with gas stoves First and Read More...
Nature takes center stage in this redevelopment project in Tokyo
Adding more greenery to our built environment can go a long way in making our cities more resilient in the face of climate change. That’s why, here at The Optimist Daily, we love seeing urban development projects that seamlessly interweave nature with the built environment. The Toranomon Urban Read More...
Central Park and other open spaces are about to get an organic upgrade
Some of the world’s most famous parks, including Central Park in New York City and Grant Park in Chicago are about to get a green upgrade with the announcement that yogurt brand Stonyfield Organic is sponsoring the transition of these parks to pesticide-free areas. As part of the StonyFIELDS Read More...