LPS Watch List: May 2015
Each month we bring you a roundup of landscape performance news worth sharing – the latest in research, tools, and innovative thinking related to the measurable environmental, social, and economic benefits of sustainable landscapes.
2015 City Park Facts
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND | May 5, 2015
This annual report covers park acreage, spending, accessibility, and the types of parks in each of the 100 most populous cities in the U.S. This year’s report expands an important metric to 10 additional cities: percentage of residents within a half mile of a park. More
How a Quick Glimpse of Nature Can Make You More Productive
CITYLAB | May 5, 2015
A new paper in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that a 40-second micro-break focused on a view of nature can boost “multiple networks of attention”. More
Three Rivers Park Economic Impact Analysis
RIVERLIFE | May 7, 2015
The $129 million invested in Pittsburgh’s 13-mile interconnected downtownriverfront park system has catalyzed $2.6 billion in riverfront development activity and nearly $4.1 billion in total riverfront and adjacent development. More
Making the Economic Case for More Walkability
URBAN LAND INSTITUTE | May 8, 2015
Walkability translates into increased demand, property values, and price resilience. This economic tie-in is integrated into an urban data analytics platform that weaves a data-driven story of the power of place. More
Impact of Safe Routes to School Programs on Walking and Biking
ACTIVE LIVING RESEARCH | May 12, 2015
This research review highlights findings from studies conducted in several states and cities that have examined walking or biking rates, safety, and economic issues associated with Safe Routes to School (SRTS). More
How Do You Measure Resilience in Cities?
THE NATURE OF CITIES | May 19, 2015
Resilience is a key area of thought with enormous potential, but we must bring it from metaphor to functional concepts on the ground. Of the 21 respondents to this roundtable, some are working on direct or indirect metrics. More
Exposure to Traffic Noise May Raise Your Risk of Obesity
CITYLAB | May 26, 2015
A new Swedish study reveals an association between exposure to high decibels of road, rail, and air traffic sound and a risk of developing excess fat around the abdomen. More