World Urban Parks’ Post

Another great // rich newsletter by Habitat for Humanity Europe & Middle East! Their edito and manifesto: "The housing crisis in EU member states has escalated to a point where even middle-income households, once considered secure, are now feeling the pressure. In the past decade, house prices have skyrocketed by 47%, and rents have climbed by 18%, driving an increasing number of people into precarious living situations. Vulnerable populations, especially in urban areas, are facing intensified energy poverty and deepening social exclusion. The quality of housing is just as critical, with over 9% of the EU population unable to keep their homes adequately warm, and 15% grappling with issues like leaking roofs, damp walls or rot — conditions that severely impact living standards and health. The stark disparity between housing availability and need underscores systemic inefficiencies that must be urgently addressed. Recognizing this, President von der Leyen's commitment to prioritizing housing in her address to the European Parliament on July 18, and in her political guidelines for 2024-2029 is a promising step forward. The EU institutions are rising to the task, which is enormous. The active involvement of civil society and NGOs, such as Habitat for Humanity, working closely with local authorities and families, will be key in ensuring that proposed solutions effectively reach the most vulnerable and low-income households. Our Manifesto outlines urgent priorities to address the housing crisis, emphasizing the need for affordable rental options, the strategic use of vacant properties, the fight against energy poverty and the promotion of inclusivity in housing policies." For the newsletter, click in the original post - for the manifesto, here: https://lnkd.in/eh4AnPxP

At LionPoint Coaching we partner with companies, people, and missions that truly inspire us. Trust is at the core of everything we do. It’s one of our guiding ethos principles found on our website: “Safety and trust are the backbone of every LionPoint relationship.” WeForest is a perfect example. Marie-Noëlle Keijzer, David Bircher and Olivier Standaert consistently lead with their values, as highlighted in their article below about the critical role of trust in restoration efforts. We encourage you to explore WeForest’s thoughtful piece. It’s a great reminder of why trust matters in creating lasting impact.” #Leadership #ValuesBasedLeadership #ExecutiveCoaching #OrganizationalTrust

Lead by example 🤸 We love recognizing communities for turning research into practice. Through our National Demonstration Site program, we help communities take advantage of this research to build meaningful environments, then measure their positive effect through data reporting (like the survey quotes you see ⬇️) and translation to help defend budgets and elevate outdoor recreation spaces as essential services. Learn how your community can join the movement ➡️ https://hubs.la/Q02V5cZF0

The August issue of FOCUS Magazine explores the importance of local parks and trails and their positive impact on our well-being, community, and economy. Read more on Page 12: https://lnkd.in/egThbC4

Did you know that optimistic, kind, and altruistic people age better and live longer? Science nailed it down: being kind rewards us at the DNA level. Watch this recording on the power of altruistic values in shaping our personal and planetary wellbeing. Thanks Nova Institute for Health for these much needed conversations! #planetaryhealth #planetarywellbeing

Some really great success stories on this episode - and interesting to learn that it’s not just recruitment companies and job centres that can help people get back into work or make a complete career change - worth a listen if you are thinking of doing something new !

How can we create safer, more connected communities for everyone? Maryland planners are calling for your input on a bold vision for better multimodal connections across the region. At NDC, we’ve seen firsthand how parks and nearby trails impact our communities. Accessible bike paths can transform neighborhoods and inspire exploration. Our annual Bike the Sites event helps folks experience biking as a fun and practical transit option. Whether you've participated in Bike the Sites or have other experiences or thoughts to share with planners, now is the time to make your voice heard! There's an effort happening here in Maryland to better connect us all, and your input is needed. 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙚: 𝐃𝐞𝐜. 𝟏𝟎: Attend the in-person public meeting at Baltimore Unity Hall (6 PM). 𝐃𝐞𝐜. 𝟏𝟐: Join the virtual meeting (6 PM). 𝐁𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐧. 𝟏𝟎: Provide feedback online—share comments on the interactive bike map or take the survey. Learn more about these efforts and how you can get involved: https://bit.ly/4ilTMqL

🎙️This week on the pod I sit down with Pedro Barata, newly crowned CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada for a chat.  We talk about his journey into this work, the work of Habitat for Humanity Canada, their 3rd Annual Affordable Housing Survey, and the adjustments Habitats across the country are making with the cost of housing continuing to rise. Don’t miss out! Watch the full episode here: linktr.ee/OTWH 🔗

Today's newsletter focuses on the concept of good public space, besides theory what can be good examples of public space? Head to the link https://lnkd.in/dd4W4Yzf and discover our takes 💡

🚗 I love cars. Really. I'm a Top Gear loving environmentalist. BUT they just don't have a place in cities - they never did. ♿️ 🔧 Tradespeople, delivery drivers need them for now, as do people with mobility issues. Long term we should be improving public transport so that cars aren't needed in busy cities. 🚲 🚊 Last mile delivery e-bikes, permits for people in emergency situations, short distance trucks, cargo trams and tool banks for tradespeople are just some of the ways we can reimagine our cities without the dominance of the car. 🚌 Last year I worked with public transport in Liverpool to study the impact of going car free upon different demographics and the issues that dominated were personal SAFETY and RELIABILITY of public transport. 👮♂️ If public transport is going to be dirty, difficult to use and feel unsafe then we'll never get busy workers, particularly parents and carers to use it: Nobody wants to risk not picking their child up from a nursery that closes at 6, nobody wants to be nervous of sexual assault on their way home. Nobody wants to drive a bus or train and be threatened by passengers. 🚆 What everyone wants is a clean, reliable and dare I say enjoyable travel experience. This sort of study shows us that Environmental Sustainability MUST go hand in hand with Social sustainability if we want changes to be permanent. We're at 90 seconds to midnight. 🕑