Photo Credit
McCall, Idaho
2012 Winner - Under 3,000 Population Category




Turning Vacant Lots into Community Gems

It's no secret: since the economic downturn of 2008, vacant lots have been in abundance in cities across the U.S. These vacancies have led to blighted communities and only exacerbated the already bleak economic outlook. But it doesn't have to stay that way! Community leaders in areas as large as Brooklyn have used their residents' talents to create a website mapping out all of their city's vacant lots, and as a result, inspired residents to start fixing up those vacancies by adding urban gardens, skate parks, and more.
 


Are Our Cities Unwalkable?

The majority of Americans acknowledge walking as paramount in living healthier lives, so why don't more of us follow the prescription? Unfortunately, in a recent nationwide survey, 40 percent of respondents consider their neighborhoods unwalkable. Sighting everything from speeding drivers to crime, some residents are being directly affected by a lack of community.

Click here to read more.

The Art of City Infrastructure

Infrastructure is a boring word for talking about the inner-workings (tangible and intangible) a society or enterprise needs in order to function. Applied to a city, it's typically thought of as roads, overpasses, sewers, etc. Basically it's a word used to describe the ugly, but necessary, parts of a city. But it doesn't need to be that way. What if we reimagined infrastructure taking beautification into account?
 



Get in on the Excitement & Community-Building Momentum

It's time to register your community to participate in the 2014 America in Bloom program. The deadline to register is February 28, BUT if you register by December 31 we'll give you a FREE "Best Ideas Book" ($25 retail value) that outlines the best ideas from AIB cities over the years. Plus, if you recruit another AIB participant you can save up to 25 percent on your registration costs.

Register now.


To learn more about the program, the benefits of participation, and how to make the most of your experience, click here


The Greater Economic Good
By Dr. Marvin Miller, AIB President 

The recent shutdown of the Federal government (thankfully now concluded), believe it or not, helped to reinforce several points we have often made in this e-newsletter, at least in my mind. We have frequently noted that plants are more than pretty. Indeed, city beautification efforts are good for the environment, good for the sociological and psychological well-being of the community's citizens, and also good for the economic vitality of the city.

Click here to read more.


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Have a story to share? We would love to hear from you! Tell us about AIB activities in your community, or let us know about a community you have visited that should get involved with AIB. E-mail your story to Laura Kunkle, [email protected]