Problem Solving Must Read

Recycling Hotel Soap to Give to the Poor

Plus: A Southern city stops "debating" climate change and acts, and teaching young adults in New Orleans how to code

By Saurav Upadhyay
Problem Solving Must Read

Using Chocolate to Reforest Haiti

Plus: A report by the World Bank on addressing mental health conditions of people affected by conflict, and the scaling of urban agriculture in Denmark

By Saurav Upadhyay
Ideas We Should Steal

A day in court without leaving home

Michigan and Ohio courts use an online system to adjudicate simple cases in a fraction of the usual time. In Philly, it could resolve over 450,000 cases a year

By Stephen St. Vincent
Ideas We Should Steal

Indigenous Peoples Day

Cities around the country have replaced Columbus Day with a celebration of native people. In Philly, we celebrate a fairy tale that isn’t even historically true. Isn’t it time that changed?

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Ideas We Should Steal

Even Year Elections

Cities around the country are moving local elections to even years, when turnout is (relatively) robust. In Philly, that could mean around 190,000 more people voting for the next mayor

By Stephen St. Vincent
Ideas We Should Steal

Declaring War on Tax Deadbeats

New York City has had great success collecting back taxes. Why don’t we do what they’ve done?

By Larry Platt
Ideas We Should Steal

Starting School in August

Some 15,000 Philly charter school students started school already. Following their lead could benefit all Philly families.

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Ideas We Should Steal

Teaching Empathy in Schools

In Denmark, students learn empathy the way they learn math, in school. Not coincidentally, the Danes are the happiest people on earth

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Ideas We Should Steal

Parking Battle Bots

Robot lawyers are overturning thousands of parking tickets in New York City. When will they invade Philly?

By Stephen St. Vincent
Ideas We Should Steal

College Savings For Every Baby

Joe Torsella, candidate for State Treasurer, wants to give every newborn in Pennsylvania a college savings plan. That makes him a politician actually running on an innovative idea

By Larry Platt