Taking Shape

Blog submitted by Jennifer Kiger, Coordinator with the Creative Corridors Coalition

In 2005, NC DOT announced that that 11 bridges on a one-mile stretch of  Business 40 in downtown Winston-Salem would be replaced or removed,  A  community engagement program determined the wishes of Winston-Salem  residents, businesses, elected officials, and civic and political  leaders who seized upon it as an opportunity to positively transform the  most visible portion of the Winston-Salem landscape.

How do we help our state save billions in health costs due to obesity-related ailments? We spend millions on safe biking and walking infrastructure.

Documentaries like Urbanized help to fuel action and response by the community. The film is an in-depth educational look at the design of a city and how the planning and development of the infrastructure affects the community and shapes its world.

Blog submitted by West McDowell Jr. High teachers Tracy Childers and Melanie Shaver and their students.

Through the efforts of the dedicated people of McDowell County and the McDowell Trails Association, the first phrase of The McDowell Greenway was completed last year

Subscribers of Habitat for Humanity's Orange County newsletter received something special this summer. Newsletter author and Habitat for Humanity volunteer Elizabeth Swaringen dedicated the front page of the issue to celebrating Joy Williams—a young woman who, powered by her passion and a deep connection to nature, managed to establish a thriving community garden in her neighborhood.

In the course of a year, Charlotte was recognized as one of the most walkable cities, and one of the most dangerous for pedestrians. How could this be when so many people have worked tirelessly to create policies to increase safety and pedestrian mobility?

As gas prices soar, the timing for National Bike Month this May couldn't be more ideal. Citizens across the state and country are riding their bikes more and making a special effort on Bike to Work Day, coming up on Friday, May 20. And there are many opportunities for everyday citizens — like you — to get involved in biking events taking place across North Carolina.

Ever wonder what speed you would need to drive on a city street in order to make it through every traffic light without stopping? Ever wonder why you can be the only car stopped waiting at a traffic light intersection and the light won’t change green? As it turns out, it’s not based on luck. There’s actually a science behind it.

The student-created, -directed, -scripted, -produced videos that premiered at the Lights, Camera, Active! event in Greensboro last night shared several common themes, the two biggest being the need for Guilford County city planners to think more about increasing connectivity and making streets safer for physical activity as they look at new development.

Bryan Green, an 8th grader at Hertford County Middle School, has already begun to shape his world. Bryan is part of the winning team for his region’s Lights, Camera, Active! film competition from Shape Your World. The entries for Hertford County were previewed last Thursday in Ahoskie, NC, the first in a series to be held across North Carolina. One thing’s for certain: These kids have a great sense of what improvements to their built environment would mean to the health of their community.