This topic is focused on solutions to fix what isn't working and make life better for everyone in our cities & towns.

After Katrina, Here’s How New Orleans Improved Education, Low-Income Housing, Health Care

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/katrina-silver-linings_55d74509e4b0a40aa3aaa737

"...the storm gave the reeling city no choice but to hit the restart button on some of its broken systems that were long overdue for repair, including education, low-income housing and health care. Here’s how the city addressed some of those challenges — both succeeding and failing along the way."

This Is a Smart, Nonpartisan Way to Improve Local Government

http://nationswell.com/regional-local-government-more-efficient/

"What is the ideal size of government? Should decisions be centered in a strong federal branch or diffused across thousands of municipalities? There’s a retro, nonpartisan answer that’s been tested recently to add to the expected pull between local, state and federal governments: a regional body. As these locales demonstrate, a regional body can be an efficient way to govern."

The Power of Vision in Urban Governance

http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/gov-mayor-bill-hudnut-indianapolis-power-vision-urban-governance.html

"Every mayor wants to be a "visionary leader," but they don't just wake up one morning with a vision. To craft an original and feasible vision for a city -- one that holds the promise of effective, efficient government that builds a city and inspires its populace -- public officials need help."

Help, from whom? And, what do they need to succeed?

"To execute a plan like this, a compelling narrative is indispensable. A set of ideas targeting certain outcomes is a strategy, but a vision is truly animated when a wide array of city stakeholders adopts the message as their own. To work, the story has to be both calculated and contagious."

"Municipalities are racing to brand themselves as "smart cities," but true vision comes out of something less generic. Vision happens when a mayor allows him or herself to be stimulated by outside forces, configures what's best, and then connects it to the distinctive character of his or her own city."

Engaging Entrepreneurs to Solve Urban Problems

http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-philadelphia-fastfwd-entrepreneurs-streamlined-procurement.html

"A project in Philadelphia used a streamlined approach to procurement to get quick results. Philadelphia's FastFWD initiative tackled these challenges directly by opening up new mechanisms for entrepreneurs to co-create solutions with the city."

"FastFWD used a business accelerator to connect interested entrepreneurs with staff from eight city departments for collaborative thinking and development. The initiative resulted in nine pilot projects, and two full contracts, with positive public-safety impact."

But that's not all they learned...

The Miracle of Minneapolis

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/03/the-miracle-of-minneapolis/384975/

"One reason the American dream has come apart is that too few cities have shared their resources—and real estate—between the rich and the rest."

So, what's the secret to affordability, opportunity, and wealth? 

Minneapolis may have the answer.

From housing to tax sharing to social services, other cities should take note of the successes and how they've accomplished it FOR ALL.