3 Mayors Unveil Breathing Lights Events and Announce Competition for Local Artists
April 6, 2016
Mayors Kathy Sheehan (Albany), Gary McCarthy (Schenectady), and Patrick Madden (Troy) gathered at the rehabilitated former St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church on Eastern Avenue in Schenectady to announce a full list of neighborhood engagement activities for the Breathing Lights temporary public art project – and call for submissions to a new, local arts competition. Breathing Lights, winner of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, will illuminate hundreds of vacant buildings in Albany, Schenectady and Troy nightly in October and November 2016.
Read moreSix Finalists Selected for ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen, Winner of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge
April 4, 2016
ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen is pleased to announce that six individual artists and teams have been selected to submit full proposals for temporary, original, site-‐responsive public artworks for ArtHouse. The ArtHouse project will transform a 15,000 square foot facility in downtown Gary into a cultural hub showcasing culinary and visual arts. The City of Gary will use this public space to help spur artistic and economic activity and to promote ethical redevelopment of the downtown district.
Read more363 Latin American and Caribbean Cities Enter Bloomberg Philanthropies’ 2016 Mayors Challenge
March 28, 2016
Bloomberg Philanthropies announced that 363 cities across Latin America and the Caribbean have entered the 2016 Mayors Challenge. These 363 cities represent 40 percent of all eligible cities in the region – topping the 30 and 28 percent participation rates experienced in the United States and European Mayors Challenge, respectively.
The 2016 Mayors Challenge will award a $5 million USD grand prize and four $1 million awards to four other cities that generate powerful ideas. Participating mayors must submit a bold idea that addresses a serious problem, improves customer service for residents, creates significant government efficiencies, and/or increases public engagement.
Read moreBloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities Initiative Releases New Study Highlighting the Data Gap in City Hall Decision Making
March 10, 2016
A report released by Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities initiative identifies the challenges and opportunities for closing the gap between cities’ desire to use data in decision making and actual ability to do so. The report finds that city leaders nationwide want to use data, evidence and evaluation to address challenges such as safety, economic development, and affordable housing, however many lack the resources, tools and expertise to turn their data into solutions. Findings were based on an analysis from The Bridgespan Group of detailed conversations with 39 cities visited by What Works Cities and supported by applications submitted by 115 cities, which represents 40 percent of mid-sized cities in the United States.
Read moreBloomberg Philanthropies and U.S. Department of Commerce to Host 2nd “U.S.-Africa Business Forum” in New York City During 71st UN General Assembly
January 26, 2016
During the week of September 19, 2016, on the occasion of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly, Bloomberg Philanthropies and the U.S. Department of Commerce will co-host the second U.S.-Africa Business Forum, a day focused on increased trade and investment between the U.S. and African nations. The U.S.-Africa Business Forum will build on the progress of the inaugural Forum, held during the 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit with the participation of nearly 50 heads of state or government and more than 150 global CEOs – to further develop trade and business opportunities between the United States and Africa.
Read moreFSB announces membership of Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
January 21, 2016
Financial Stability Board (FSB) Chair Mark Carney announced in Paris on 4 December 2015 the establishment of an industry-led Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), with Michael R. Bloomberg as chair, and that the initial membership of the Task Force would be announced in due course.
The FSB announced the initial membership of the Task Force, which will develop voluntary, consistent climate-related financial disclosures for use by companies in providing information to lenders, insurers, investors and other stakeholders.
Read moreBloomberg Philanthropies Launches 2016 Mayors Challenge in Latin America and the Caribbean
January 20, 2016
Michael R. Bloomberg launched Bloomberg Philanthropies’ 2016 Mayors Challenge, a competition to inspire Latin American and Caribbean cities to develop bold new ideas that solve major problems and improve city life – and that ultimately can be shared with other cities. The competition includes a $5 million USD grand prize and four $1 million awards to four other cities that generate powerful ideas. The competition is one of the foundation’s flagship programs, reaching hundreds of cities in the U.S. and Europe.
Read moreBloomberg Philanthropies Expands Support to Thirteen New Cities through the What Works Cities Initiative
December 10, 2015
Bloomberg Philanthropies announced that mayors from thirteen American cities have been selected to join What Works Cities and have publicly committed to enhance their use of data and evidence to improve services, inform local decision making and engage residents. The cities of Anchorage, Alaska; Bellevue, Washington; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Denton, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Independence, Missouri; Las Vegas, Nevada; Lexington, Kentucky; Saint Paul, Minnesota; San Francisco, California; San Jose, California; Tacoma, Washington; and Waco, Texas will receive support from world-class experts to address local issues including economic development, job creation, public safety, and affordable housing.
Read moreReport: Cities and Nations Must Align Policies to Achieve a Low-Carbon Future
December 3, 2015
A new research report, “What cities do best: piecing together an efficient global climate governance,” explores how city actions to combat climate change will be enhanced and expedited with support from national governments. The report notes that greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions in urban areas will require concerted actions at all levels of government, and increased policy coordination and “vertical integration” are necessary to achieve deeper GHG reductions.
Read moreSouth African Cities Focus on Emissions Reduction to Fuel Economic Growth and Development
November 30, 2015
A new research report, “Potential Role of Urban Greenhouse Gas Abatement in South Africa,” explores South African cities’ commitments to urban GHG emissions reduction efforts and how these actions can boost economic activity, lower the environmental effects of sprawl and help cities overcome historical spatial distortions that impact impoverished communities. The report found a substantial decoupling of urban economic growth from energy and carbon intensity.
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