News
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Banners like this one across Istanbul encourage residents to try healthy, active alternatives to private cars and to maintain safe distancing and hygiene measures on public transit. Photo by WRI Turkey Sustainable Cities
On September 28, in collaboration with WRI Turkey Sustainable Cities and with support from the Partnership for Healthy Cities, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality launched a risk communication and public information campaign to promote active mobility and safe use of public transit amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Passengers disembark the Kabataş–Bağcılar tram line in Istanbul's historic peninsula. Photo by WRI Turkey Sustainable Cities
On September 18th at European Mobility Week, WRI Turkey Sustainable Cities and partners launched “Kavşak,” a first-of-its-kind multi-sectoral network established to improve sustainable urban transport in Turkey.
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Global Commission on Adaptation brings together broad coalition of universities, cities and community organizations to help cities build resilience to climate change
A new initiative of the Global Commission on Adaption is partnering with 15 universities to implement urban resilience projects. Photo by dany13/Flickr
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 10, 2020) — A global consortium of universities, cities, community organizations and World Resources Institute launched an initiative to build cities’ capacities to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The consortium, a Global Commission on Adaptation initiative, will partner with an initial cohort of 15 universities from 18 time zones to implement urban resilience projects in cities. -
Urban changemakers around the globe are pursuing creative solutions to more inclusive and resilient cities. Photo by Shutterstock
As the world reaches critical milestones for the Paris Agreement, cities need concrete ways to translate global goals into local action. At the same time, cities are being asked to balance climate and sustainable development goals with the need for economic development.
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Photo by Sergio Mendoza Hochmann/Dreamstime
As factories and offices shut down and people stayed at home in response to COVID-19 and lockdowns, air pollution dropped around the world. People living in cities from Delhi to Los Angeles witnessed and even celebrated how long-obscured mountains appeared on the horizon as the particulate matter pollution decreased, and evidence from both ground monitors and satellites found significant drops in lung-damaging NOx. But pollution didn’t go away in many places, and pollution exposure over time has made thousands more vulnerable to complications from respiratory illnesses.
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Photo by Corey O’Hara/iStock
Cities are not only at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are also likely to see lasting changes from it, from their physical form to economic and community structure. On April 29, more than 600 participants tuned in to a high-level panel hosted by WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities that brought together key urban experts to discuss what national governments and cities should invest in now to respond to pressing needs and become more resilient in the future, and how urban investments can reach where they are needed most.
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Photo by Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York/Flickr
Public transport is experiencing enormous and immediate challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, as ridership plunges. But it is also serving a crucial role in connecting health care workers and other essential workers to their jobs. The crisis has revealed, whether you are a rider or not, just how much society relies on public transport.
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Photo by Anna Shvets/Pexels
Following is a statement by Dr. Andrew Steer, CEO and President of World Resources Institute, on the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The global pandemic of infection and fear we now face is inflicting sickness, death and economic hardship around the world – and will surely get worse before it gets better. It is also reminding us all how deeply vulnerable we are to threats beyond our control. It is possible that it could lead to a questioning of old assumptions and behaviors, and a new openness to arguments for collective action and effective risk management.
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Claudia Adriazola-Steil speaks at the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety. Photo by WRI
More than 1.35 million people die from road crashes every year – a preventable crisis that is not being solved at the rapid pace needed. On February 17-21, transport minister-led delegations from around 80 countries met in Stockholm, Sweden, to address the issue at the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety.
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The sixth in a series of seven workshops to improve the bankability of sustainable infrastructure initiatives in Mexico
TheCityFix Labs México Workshop in Xalapa. Photo by WRI México
WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities conducted the sixth workshop of the ongoing technical assistance program TheCityFix Labs México. The main objective of the workshop, held in Xalapa, Mexico, was to help the local government project sponsors refine their financial strategies and provide an initial opportunity to practice the pitches before making their presentations to financial institutions.