Ideas We Should Steal

Neighbor-powered realty co-ops

In Minneapolis, neighbors joined together to develop property in their community. Could that approach ensure Philly residents benefit from their changing neighborhoods too?

By Jessica Blatt Press
Ideas We Should Steal

Campus Thrift Stores

An upstate New York college helps reduce its community’s carbon footprint by giving students a way to recycle used clothes and textiles. In Philly, that could be huge

By Nick Fiorellini
Ideas We Should Steal

Less Driving

A new study shows that congestion costs us millions of dollars, pollutes our air, and is a hassle. Can we be more like Paris?

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Ideas We Should Steal

Reducing Poverty—Together

In Canada, communities lifted more than 200,000 families out of poverty in seven years. Why don’t we do what they did?

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Ideas We Should Steal

Men’s Sheds

A global nonprofit making its way across the U.S. is fighting loneliness and depression in older men by bringing them together to build things. Could the next shed be here in Philly?

By Jill Harkins
Ideas We Should Steal

Tech for Turnout

Two years after the presidential election galvanized mostly progressive technologists, their innovations brought more voters to the polls in 2018. Expect more of that in Philly, too

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Ideas We Should Steal

Upcycling Guns

A Swedish organization is tackling El Salvador’s rampant gun violence in a way that may be just crazy enough to work in Philly

By Jessica Blatt Press
Ideas We Should Steal

More Young Voters

Districts around the country—including University City in Philly—saw a huge uptick in young voters during the midterms. Harnessing that citywide could sway elections

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Ideas We Should Steal

Voter Turnout Contest

In Cumberland County, NJ, a competition among cities helped to boost 2018 turnout by 13 percent. Could Philly’s competitive spirit be the key to more votes here, too?

By Alyssa Biederman
Ideas We Should Steal

Art for the Aging

A Portland program is helping senior citizen artists connect more with their community and even make extra money. It could be a boon for Philly’s growing senior population

By Celeste Hamilton Dennis