OpenIDEO - How might we restore vibrancy in cities and regions facing economic decline? - Inspiration

The Challenge

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How might we restore vibrancy in cities and regions facing economic decline?

Inspiration 894 inspirations

Concepting 329 concepts

Applause 329 final concepts

Refinement 20 final concepts

Evaluation 20 final concepts

Winning Concepts Announced!

Realisation Ongoing

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Mission #1

Explore Vibrancy

Share your definition of what vibrancy looks like where you live. Find out more...

Mission #2

Share Stories

Tell us about the cities and communities you know are currently struggling or in the process of revitalising.

Mission #3

Get Active

Take some time to get active and explore your own community – then report back what you learned. Find out more...

Mission #4

Collect Insights

Interview someone living in a struggling city or region to learn more. Find out more...

Mission #5

Surprise Us

Got an Inspiration that doesn't fit the other Missions? Find out more...

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Mission #2 Share Stories

Grassroots Detroit Gardeners

Grassroots Detroit gardeners are already the solution - let's support them in revitalizing the city!

Grassroots Detroit gardeners are already the solution - let's support them in revitalizing the city!

Mission #2 Share Stories

Comments

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Alex Todaro

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November 17, 2011, 05:40AM

This guy is awesome! Makes urban farming super cool. I talked to a local farm in inner city Chicago and they had to spend good amount of time clearing out and relaying clean top soil. I know there is tons of open space in Detroit but how much of this land is suitable for gardening right away? A good initiative would be to promote city wide composting, which would then be used for these gardens. It would be minimal cost (mainly for transportation and organizing) and it would be turning otherwise trash into a positive for the community.

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Avi Solomon's reply to Alex Todaro's comment

Avi Solomon

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November 17, 2011, 04:04PM

Alex, the whole soil contamination problem can be circumvented (while scaling productivity) by using DIY sub-irrigated planters:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub-irrigated_planter

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Alex Todaro's reply to Alex Todaro's comment

Alex Todaro

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November 17, 2011, 06:36PM

Thanks for the heads up Avi, this is a really nice solution.

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Meena Kadri

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November 16, 2011, 11:02PM

Indeed, Avi – would be great for us to consider building upon existing initiatives and motivations in Detroit.

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Beth McGrath

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November 16, 2011, 08:37PM

Was going to post this to the broader topic, but then found yours. Love the concept of urban farming. It's vibrancy + employment.
Here's a cool example: http://rooftopfarms.org/

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