1.
Atlanta, Georgia
Over decades, as metro Atlanta grew into a multicultural hub of millions, the nearby Chattahoochee River became a polluted afterthought. The good news: non-profit Chattahoochee Riverkeeper has led a cleanup and monitoring effort so effective—in 2024 alone, volunteers removed 54 tons of trash and recyclables—that the river is now a safe place to fish and swim.
To better connect this iconic waterway to people, the Trust for Public Land’s Chattahoochee RiverLands is building a 100-mile pedestrian trail that will link together 40 new and existing riverside parks. Test the waters now on the 48-mile Camp + Paddle Trail. It starts at Peachtree Creek in North Atlanta and passes lush green spaces, riverside communities, and new accessible campsites before it ends at the McIntosh Reserve in Carroll County.
Closest airport: Hartsfield Jackson-Atlanta International Airport is ten miles south of downtown Atlanta and 22 miles northeast of The Inn at Serenbe.
Where to eat: Stop paddling in Smyrna for mustard-glazed, Georgia-oak-smoked spareribs at Owens and Hull, right on the river. The Farmhouse at Serenbe, about five miles east of the Chattahoochee, is one of Atlanta’s original farm-to-table restaurants.
Where to stay: Camp at New RiverLands Park, a new ADA-accessible facility with showers that’s part of the Camp + Paddle Trail. The Inn at Serenbe (From $275), part of a bucolic, 1,400-acre biophilic development with a farm, horse ranch, restaurants, and residential housing in the Chattahoochee Hills, is five miles east of New RiverLands Park.
Changemaker: “RiverLands is going to make the sixth-largest metro area in the country an outdoor city,” says George Dusenbury, the Trust for Public Land’s vice president of the Southern Region. “If you want to spend four days on a river, you can literally take MARTA [Atlanta’s metro system] or bike down to the river with an inflatable kayak. This experience is now a train, bus, or bike ride away for a million people.”
Above (Top): Chattahoochee River (Marcus Jones/Adobe Stock). Above (Bottom): The Farmhouse at Serenbe (Courtesy of The Farmhouse). Right: East Palisades Trail bamboo forest (Courtesy of Explore Georgia).
"RiverLands is going to make the sixth-largest metro area in the country an outdoor city."
With their Viking DNA, residents of this northern city pride themselves on embracing long, harsh winters at Nordic ski festivals, on outdoor ice rinks, and in sauna villages. Long before the Scandinavians arrived, however, Minneapolis, or Bdeóta Othúŋwe, was (and still is) the traditional homeland of the Dakota people.
One of their most sacred places is Owámniyomni (St. Anthony Falls) in the Mississippi River in the heart of downtown, a once free-flowing cascade that is now part of a defunct lock and dam system. The Dakota-led non-profit Owámniyomni Okhódayapi will soon take ownership of five acres of heavily industrial federal shoreline along the river, restoring the original landscape by planting traditional plants and medicines and purifying the river so that it can actively flow in this section again, creating a place of healing, education, and connection for all.
Closest airport: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is ten miles south of downtown.
Where to eat: This spring, James Beard-award-winning Sioux Chef Sean Sherman is moving his famed Owamni Restaurant, with a menu featuring modern Indigenous foods that highlight true North American products like corn, beans, squash, wild game birds, and fish, to the Guthrie Theater on the Mississippi riverfront.
Where to stay: The seven-room Hotel Alma (From $235 per night) in the trendy Marcy Holmes neighborhood is one block from a sauna at Watershed Spa and a short walk over the Stone Arch Bridge that spans the Mississippi River to downtown.
Changemaker: “Not only do we want to restore the land and water, but we also want to restore the stories and the Dakota people that were originally here,” says Shelley Buck, president of Owámniyomni Okhódayapi and member of the Prairie Island Indian Community. “In ten years, I hope that the site will be green and lush with people from all over coming to enjoy and actually be able to go down and touch the water.”
Above (Main): Downtown Minneapolis (Yan/Adobe Stock). Above (Inset): Owamni Restaurant (Courtesy of Owamni). Left (Top): The Great Northern Sauna Village (Nik Linde/Courtesy of The Great Northern). Left (Bottom): St. Anthony Bluff Park (Lane Pelovsky/Courtesy of Meet Minneapolis).
11 Cities
Rewilding the Future
By 2050, 89 percent of the U.S. population is projected to live in an urban area. Here are 11 innovative cities blending nature into their DNA.
2. Minneapolis, Minnesota
On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene swept through this stunning Blue Ridge mountain town leaving catastrophic damage in its path. The French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers crested at record highs, destroying roads, triggering mudslides that swept away homes, and nearly washing away the River Arts District (RAD), the city’s vibrant creative hub, with more than 700 local artists.
If there can be a silver lining in such a disaster, it’s that the hurricane brought out a collective superhuman resilience and can-do spirit. A year out, RAD is back, with 70 percent of the businesses reopened, like locals’ beloved Cultivate Climbing gym. Beyond RAD, there’s a slew of new outdoor attractions like Beacon Bike Park and Events Lawn, with the largest Velosolutions pump track in North America and a 4,000-capacity outdoor concert venue. In nearby Woodfin at Riverside Park, Taylor’s Wave, a world-class standing wave in the French Broad for surfers and kayakers, will open this spring.
Closest airport: Asheville Regional Airport, 15 miles south of downtown, offers direct flights from 23 cities including Dallas, Boston, Atlanta, and Chicago.
Where to eat: Hell or High Water in Black Mountain uses fresh, local ingredients—from Maitake Mushrooms to 28-day dry-aged bone-in ribeye sourced from their in-house butcher shop—and has a rooftop deck with views of rolling peaks.
Where to stay: Firelight at Shope Creek sits on 22 acres northeast of Asheville near the hiking and biking trails in the Pisgah National Forest. Reserve four-bedroom Hilltop Cabin or one of seven smaller modern cabins in the woodlands below, each with its own wood stove, deck, and private hot tub. Out the door are yoga classes, a sauna, and a communal chicken coop and garden that provide eggs, herbs, and veggies for guests. (From $275)
Changemaker: “For decades Asheville has been a city of outdoor adventure and of environmental stewardship,” says Marc Hunt, the city’s former vice mayor, a kayaker, and the visionary behind Taylor’s Wave. “Many of the first responders who volunteered with chainsaws, medical care, and food and water delivery, were outdoor adventure people that had the skills, fitness, and ingenuity to reach people who were isolated and in need.”
3.
Asheville, North Carolina
Anchored by 25-acre Millennium Park, with Anish Kapoor’s bean-like “Cloud Gate” sculpture and Lurie Garden, a 3.5-acre flowered oasis filled with butterflies and bees, Chicago offers an impressive mosaic of green. It is expanding this summer to the South Side with the Obama Presidential Center. Set on 19 acres, the “Obamalisk” will be surrounded by fruit and vegetable gardens, outdoor sculptures, and lawns on which to contemplate the heady content inside.
Green is even sprouting in the Chicago River along the Wild Mile, a former hard-walled urban industrial corridor turned floating wildlife park. These pontoon-based gardens, built by the non-profit Urban Rivers, are a gamechanger: The plant roots grow through the framework directly into the river, which provides a root system for fish, a habitat for beavers and otters, and acts as a giant water filter for heavy metal. Above water, the wetlands are home to pollinators, bugs, and birds. For humans, they are a place to fish, socialize, and, eventually, even swim.
Closest airport: Midway International Airport, ten miles southwest of downtown, is accessible via the Orange Line train, the most cost-effective lift to and from the airport.
Where to eat: Eden, a block off the North Branch of the Chicago River in the Avondale neighborhood, serves what they grow out of their 20’x28’ on-site greenhouse and harvest from partner farms like Global Gardens Chicago. Expect simple, clean, seasonal cuisine like Greenhouse Herb Gnocchi.
Where to stay: The Publishing House Bed & Breakfast (From $248) in the midst of the West Loop’s pubs, live music, and Michelin Star restaurants, is a former publishing house turned hotel with 11 cozy rooms, each named after a prominent Chicago author. Take your pick between Upton Sinclair, Sandra Cisneros, or Saul Bellow.
Changemaker: “Urban planners, architects, and engineers from the City of Chicago took a bet on us that we would improve the future of the Chicago River,” says Urban Rivers co-founder Zachary Damato, who has fielded inquiries from more than 50 cities worldwide—including São Paulo, Lisbon, and Portland—for guidance on how to green up an industrial river. “There is an endless amount of work still to be done, but we’re changing the course of the river forever.”
Above (Main): The Wild Mile (Nick Wesley/Urban Rivers). Above (Inset): Concert in Millenium Park (Abel Arciniega). Left: The Publishing House Bed & Breakfast common area (Joshua Haines).
4. Chicago, Illinois
The dream of a rapid transportation system that would ease congestion and provide access to outlying areas of Honolulu was planted in the 1960s. As of October 16, 2025, the second of three segments of Skyline was finally completed. The controversial project has seen many delays due to cost overruns, identifying Native burials along the route, and other snafus, but Hawaii’s largest-ever infrastructure project is also the first fully autonomous urban railway system in the country. When fully completed in 2031, it will stretch nearly 19 miles along the south shore of Oahu and remove 40,000 trips per day from city streets and highways.
There are other ways Honolulu is protecting its stunning natural resources from overuse, namely by developing stricter rules for public spaces. The city recently announced a one-day-per-week closure of its wildly popular botanical garden, Ho‘omaluhia, starting in 2026, after record-breaking attendance over the past few years. At Diamond Head State Monument, the most striking feature along the Waikiki coastline, the state instituted a reservation and parking ticket system, limiting parking spots to two hours ($10, if you can get a spot) and charging a $5 park entry fee. Hawaii residents are exempt from both fees.
Closest airport: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is ten miles northwest of Waikiki and offers more than 30 non-stop departures to U.S. and international cities from Anchorage to Seoul.
Where to eat: The sushi chefs at Gohan in Makiki make made-to-order musubi—rice balls made from fluffy, aromatic Tsuyahime rice, some of which are wrapped in nori from the Ariaki sea, others are topped with shio salmon, spicy ahi, or Spam and egg.
Where to stay: Splurge at the Prince Waikiki (from $501) with its sleek high-rise rooms that have floor-to-ceiling Pacific views; an adults-only outdoor infinity pool lined with shady cabanas; and effective sustainability initiatives. The resort’s culinary team works with local nonprofit Aloha Harvest to collect untouched food twice per week and redistribute it locally. It adds up to 900 pounds of food per month.
Changemaker: “This is an exciting moment for our city and for everyone who has worked so hard to make Skyline a reality,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi in a recent press release. “Every new mile and every new station represent progress for our city — connecting people to jobs, schools, and each other in ways that make Oahu stronger and more connected.”
5.
Honolulu, Hawaii
"Every new mile and every new station represent progress for our city."
Bend is surrounded by at least 1.7 million acres of public land and has an extinct volcano within city limits, and the Deschutes River flows through downtown. It’s no wonder that the city’s 107,000 outdoor-loving residents have always been ahead of the curve in terms of protecting its natural resources and extensive playgrounds.
Especially visionary is how Bend uses a significant portion of its lodging tax to reinvest in the community. Over the last decade, Bend’s Cultural Tourism and Sustainability funds have awarded more than $6 million in grants, some of which have gone toward building infrastructure suitable for adaptive athletes, like new downhill mountain bike trails at Wanoga Snow Play Area Sno Park and a new accessible kayak launch at Miller’s Landing Park on the Deschutes River. Combine these city-funded projects with the presence of non-profits like Oregon Adaptive Sports; companies like Zebrafish Neuro, which specializes in spinal cord injury rehabilitation; and annual events like Kelly Brush Foundation’s Turns and Berms Camp, three days of skiing and mountain biking in and around the city; and Bend is a hotbed of adaptive athletes, like Danielle Watson, a national champion hand cyclist.
Closest airport: Redmond Municipal Airport, 20 miles north of Bend, has direct service to Portland and ten other major western hubs like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Denver.
Where to eat: Luckey’s Woodsman, founded by an expert forager based in Three Sisters, operates a food truck outside of The Ale Apothecary, where “all-natural wild and spontaneous beer” is served. Luckey’s Mountain Nachos or poutine smothered in mushroom-gravy sausage, will fuel any outdoor endeavor.
Where to stay: Inspired by Minnie Westman, the first woman mail carrier west of the Mississippi River, the brand-new Westman Hotel, opening downtown in December, provides luxury, dog-friendly, boutique digs in Bend’s historic downtown post office. (From $399)
Changemaker: “What we have unique to Bend is an amazing cross section of people who are coming together to create accessible adventure,” says Oregon Adaptive Sports executive director Pat Addabbo. “We are seeing tangible results—new infrastructure being built with accessibility as a priority and non-profits like ours driving world-class experiences and creating community. Just last week six different people moved here because of our community at Oregon Adaptive Sports.”
Above (Main): Deschutes River (Courtesy of Visit Bend). Above (Inset): Broken Top mountain biking (Courtesy of Visit Bend). Left (Top): Miller's Landing Park (Courtesy of Bend Park & Recreation District). Left (Bottom): Luckey's Woodsman Mountain Nachos (Courtesy of Luckey’s Woodsman).
6. Bend, Oregon
Seattle has a track record for sustainability. In 2018, it was the first major city to ban plastic utensils. In 2023, the LEED-Platinum certified Summit building, made from recycled building materials, was a stunning addition to the convention center. Even the Seattle Kraken NHL team plays its home games in Climate Pledge Arena, the first arena on earth to earn net-zero carbon certification. On the water, the Port of Seattle has a goal to be North America's most energy-efficient port by achieving a net-zero fleet by 2040.
The most user-friendly and fantastic addition to Seattle, however, is Waterfront Park, the largest civic project since the 1962 World’s Fair. Spreading across 20 acres and 17 blocks of public park space where an old viaduct once stood, the park features a promenade with protected bike lanes, public art, and native gardens; a beach that provides access to the water for humans and optimizes a migration corridor for salmon; and a marine-themed playground on Pier 58. The newest addition, Overlook Walk, is an elevated park and pedestrian thoroughfare that connects the newly renovated Pike Place Market to the waterfront and provides panoramic views to the Salish Sea and Olympic.
Closest airport: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 12 miles south of Waterfront Park, is in the thick of a $5 billion capital improvements project to better accommodate World Cup fans descending on the city next summer.
Where to eat: On Puget Sound in West Seattle, diners can paddle up to Marination Ma Kai for Hawaiian-Korean eats like Spam sliders or Kimchee rice bowls, eaten on a waterfront patio with views to downtown Seattle.
Where to stay: Inhabiting a century-old building with a rooftop deck in the heart of Pioneer Square, Populus Seattle is a short walk to Waterfront Park and is biophilic to its core, built from locally sourced, recycled, or sustainably-certified materials. For every night a guest stays, the hotel plants a tree. (From $327)
Changemaker: “Waterfront Park is a bold expression of who we are and who we want to be—a city that invests in public space, belonging, and a fully accessible connection to nature and to one another,” says Joy Shigaki, a fourth-generation Seattleite and president and CEO of Friends of Waterfront Park. “It’s a glimpse of what’s possible when Seattle builds its future around people, beauty, culture, and the environment.”
7.
Seattle, Washington
Two brothers’ passion for mountain biking in the early aughts turned this humble northern Arkansas town into a full-fledged outdoor recreation mecca. It helps that those two guys were Tom and Steuart Walton, grandsons of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. But, still, their vision, combined with a strategic merging of private philanthropy, public investment, and community partnerships, has made Bentonville a model city. Where else will you find 180 art installations dotting the 500-mile-long greenway and singletrack trail network like an open-air gallery? Add cool hotels, award-winning restaurants, and events like Lifetime Big Sugar Classic, a grueling 100-mile gravel race attended by the pros, and the annual economic impact of cycling adds up to $137 million.
Closest airport: Northwest Arkansas National Airport has direct flights to 20 destinations and is 12.7 miles southwest of the city.
Where to eat: Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico got its start as a food truck on the town square and has evolved into a James Beard-nominated brick-and-mortar restaurant featuring Michoacan cuisine sourced from chef Rafael Rios’ family farm. Pair the rabbit enchiladas with a flight of mezcal.
Where to stay: Newly opened, The Compton, right on the historic town square, has a bike valet and wash station and an in-house cycling concierge to guide guests toward the best trails for their riding style and abilities. (From $300)
Changemaker: “We saw early on that the trails could be more than just a place to ride,” says Tom Walton, co-founder of Runway Group, and grandson of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. “They could power a local economy—new hotels, restaurants, and industries that support recreation. Today, Bentonville shows how outdoor recreation can drive business, attract visitors, and build a healthier, more connected community all at once.”
Above (Top): The Compton (Treimer Creative). Above (Bottom): Downtown Bentonville Square (Caleb Chancey Photography/Courtesy of Visit Bentonville). Right: Mural around town (Drager Creative/Courtesy of Visit Bentonville).
8.
Bentonville, Arkansas
"We saw early on that the trails could be more than just a place to ride. They could power a local economy."
Its 300 annual days of sunshine and ever-beckoning Rocky Mountains make Denver a magnet for outdoor athletes—or at least those who have the time and means to drive west on I-70. But the city is on a mission to create more equitable outdoor access for all through its “Outdoor Adventure and Alternative Sports Strategic Plan.”
Led by Denver Parks and Recreation, the 20-year vision is to provide better opportunities and access throughout the city’s 260 urban parks and 45 “backyard” mountain parks for families and people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Part of that goal is to enhance existing “Activity Hubs,” like Ruby Hill Park in west Denver, which already has an extensive pump track and ski and snowboard terrain park. A more ambitious pillar of the plan is to add infrastructure throughout the city, including a BMX Hub, a Skate Hub, and a Water-Based Hub on the South Platte River. Improvements to the mountain parks include a year-round activity center at Echo Lake Park and an aerial tram from Golden to the top of Lookout Mountain.
But there are still barriers to entry. Many Denverites don’t have the wheels or the gear to participate. That’s why the plan also includes free or multi-modal public transportation options; stocked gear libraries; and an array of inclusive programming to ensure that no one is left out.
Closest airport: Denver International Airport is 28 miles east of downtown via I-76 or a 40-minute ride on the A-Line train for $10.
Where to eat: At Vital Root the backyard 320-square-foot vertical hydroponic BeatBox Farms is equivalent to the output of 2.5 acres of farmland annually and delivers an estimated 120 pounds of veggies and greens weekly. Every salad is a BeatBox Farms symphony, or try the $8 Banh Mi Tacos at happy hour.
Where to stay: Urban Cowboy in the heart of the city’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, inhabits the George Schleier Mansion, an 1880s Queen Anne complete with Bavarian swans, gargoyles, and a turreted dome. Inside is funky opulence with copper bathing tubs, an Old West Parlor Bar, and a riot of color in every room. (From $206)
Changemaker: “The gateway to Colorado outdoor adventure starts for many Denver residents in neighborhood and city-wide park amenities,” says Leslie Pickard, recreation director with Denver Parks and Recreation, adding that projects like the Ruby Hill Outdoor Adventure Hub “will elevate the park and bring new opportunities for first-time or experienced adventurers to bike, skate, and ride. The Hub will supply gear rentals, learn to ride classes, and equipment maintenance workshops.”
Above (Top): Snowshoeing in Echo Lake Park (Avery Stumm). Above (Bottom): Eclectic decor at Urban Cowboy Denver (Courtesy of Urban Cowboy). Left: Summer in City Park (Adam Bove/Courtesy of Visit Denver).
11.
Denver, Colorado
"The gateway to Colorado outdoor adventure starts for many Denver residents in neighborhood and city-wide park amenities."
The irony that the heart of Silicon Valley, a global leader in resource-sucking AI innovation, was also recently recognized as 2025’s Greenest City in America by WalletHub is not lost on us. But California’s third-largest city, which covers 180 square miles and has a metro population of two million residents, deserves kudos for taking serious strides to achieve communitywide carbon neutrality by 2030.
At the heart of the initiative is San Jose Clean Energy (SJCE), the local, non-profit electricity provider for homes and businesses, operated by the City’s Energy Department. Since launching in 2019, SJCE has greened up the power supply, providing 62 percent renewable energy overall, with the option for customers to upgrade to 100 percent. SCJE spends up to $14 million annually in customer programs like rebates for electric vehicles (40 percent of the city’s new car registrations are electric); heat pumps; and battery storage for solar panel systems.
Beyond the clean energy, San Jose bans plastic bags, offers a bike-sharing program for use on more than 400 miles of bike paths; and is surrounded by space to recreate—from Alviso Marina County Park on San Francisco Bay to the hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve.
Closest airport: San Jose Mineta International Airport is three miles west of downtown with more than 40 nonstop domestic and international flights.
Where to eat: The original GrandView opened in 1884 as a stagecoach stop on the way to the James Lick Observatory. Today the restaurant is owned by two Sicilian brothers, Giuseppe and Maurizio Carrubba, who serve handmade pastas, organic fruits and vegetables from their neighboring farm, and expansive views to the South Bay.
Where to stay: Dating back to 1931, the Jazz-Age Hotel DeAnza is a fully restored fusion of Art Deco and Spanish Colonial Revival a short walk to the paths along the Guadalupe River, a restored waterway that runs through San Jose. (From $219)
Changemaker: “San Jose Clean Energy is proud to play a foundational role in our city’s clean energy initiative,” says Lori Mitchell, director of SJCE. “Our work in large-scale solar, wind, battery storage, and customer programs enables households, businesses, and public infrastructure to connect with cleaner, more reliable power.”
Above (Main): San Jose Valley landscape (Courtesy of Visit San Jose). Above (Inset): Downtown San Jose (Courtesy of Economic Development & Cultural Affairs, City of San Jose). Left (Top): "Life Abundant" mural at Hotel DeAnza (Courtesy of Visit San Jose). Left (Bottom): Downtown San Jose (Courtesy of Economic Development & Cultural Affairs, City of San Jose).
10. San Jose, California
Right (Top): Beacon Bike Park (Courtesy of Beacon Foundation). Right (Bottom): Firelight at Shope Creed (Rachael McIntosh). Left: Cultivate Climbing gym (Andy Wixtrom).
Above: Skyline rapid transit system (Courtesy of Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation). Right: Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden (Nico De Pasquale Photography/Getty Images).
In the 1800s, Buffalo was one of the wealthiest cities in the country, with an elegant city-wide park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the same duo that designed Central Park. In the century and a half since, these parks have been divided by highways, split up by increasing segregation, and neglected by a stagnant economy.
But this diverse, gritty city is making a comeback, reclaiming its Lake Erie waterfront and rich legacy of parks. The centerpiece is a $200 million project to transform former LaSalle Park. Phase I is opening this summer, with one mile of Lake Erie shoreline raised 30 feet and re-armored with boulders to prevent erosion; a two-acre protected inlet that acts as a plant and fish nursery; more than 1,000 newly planted trees; ball fields; bike and walking paths, and a pedestrian bridge over I-90 to connect the park to the city’s diverse west side. Phase II, to be completed by 2028, will include a kayak launch, playground, dog park, and more ballfields. The new park’s namesake, Ralph C. Wilson Jr., the late owner of the Buffalo Bills, would be proud.
Closest airport: Buffalo Niagara International Airport is ten miles northeast of downtown, with 100 nonstop flights per day to 31 destinations.
Where to eat: The Dapper Goose serves creative and delicious dishes, adjusted for the season and sourced locally, and killer cocktails, like the gin-infused “Broken Garden Tools.”
Where to stay: The Richardson, a landmark former psychiatric hospital turned boutique hotel, sits on 40 peaceful acres of parkland designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. (From $153)
Changemaker: “When places are clean, safe, beautiful, and really well programmed, they have a massive return for the community,” says native Buffalonian and Executive Director of the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy Katie Campos. “In a city as diverse and segregated as Buffalo, kids tend to stick to their own tribe. When they come to this park they are playing together and instantly build trust. This is going to make Buffalo one of the best places to grow up.”
9.
Buffalo, New York
"When places are clean, safe, beautiful, and really well programmed, they have a massive return for the community."
Above: Shea's Buffalo Theatre in downtown Buffalo (Onion Studio/Courtesy of Visit Buffalo). Right: The Dapper Goose burger (Jason Varney).
“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody,” wrote Jane Jacobs in her still-influential 1961 book The Death and Life of Great American Cities. We would add that a city is only as good as the green and blue spaces it provides for residents and visitors alike to play, rest, and rejuvenate. Here are 11 maverick cities that are reshaping their infrastructures to create a more equitable, desirable, and climate-resistant oasis for everyone.
Above: Floating down the Chattahoochee River (Blulz60/iStock Photo)
Above (Top): Waterfront Park (Erik Holsather/Courtesy of Friends of Waterfront Park). Above (Bottom): Populus Seattle (Ric Stovall). Left: Climate Pledge Arena (Courtesy of Climate Pledge Arena).
Stephanie Pearson
