City Observatory is a daily source of data analysis and policy recommendations on how to make cities successful. The site helps readers separate fact from fiction when it comes to cities. This week, we talked with City Observatory founder and economist Joe Cortright.

Knight Cities podcast

Knight Cities podcast: Mixed-income neighborhoods build better communities, with Joe Cortright (episode 56)

Detroit was once the innovation center of America. Ingenuity propelled a booming auto industry, Motown synthesized and popularized a new form of music, and social change poured out on race and workers’ rights. In his new book, “Once in a Great City,” David Maraniss has captured this story of Detroit of the early ’60s. Born in Detroit, David is an associate editor at The Washington Post and a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author.

Knight Cities podcast: David Maraniss tells the story of how Detroit exported innovation (episode 55)

The Center for Active Design has led the development of design guidelines for promoting physical activity. 

Knight Cities podcast: Using the design of public spaces to increase civic engagement, with Joanna Frank (episode 54)

While between projects in late 2007 and early 2008, Marcus Westbury, a maker, festival director and writer, was exploring his hometown of Newcastle, Australia, and found dozens of buildings and once-vibrant streets that 'had fallen into disrepair and despair.' Today, however, Lonely Planet describes Newcastle as a city whose 'time has finally come.' Marcus' new book, 'Creating Cities,' tells the story of how Newcastle transformed.

Knight Cities podcast: Bringing renewal to Newcastle (Australia) (episode 53)

Erin Kelly is program manager of Innovative Landscapes, an initiative of Detroit Future City.

Knight Cities podcast: Sowing Detroit’s future in the fertile ground of vacant lots, with Erin Kelly (episode 52)

Make your way to the edge of downtown Detroit, and you will find a river. Until recently, it wouldn't have been a very inviting experience. But today, the Detroit riverfront has become one of America's best waterfront parks. Mark Wallace is president and CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the organization responsible for turning the waterfront into a great place for people.

Knight Cities podcast: Renaissance of Detroit riverfront invites public participation (episode 51)

Attracting and retaining talent is at the top of the economic development agenda in many U.S. cities. And the organization that probably knows best how to do that is Campus Philly. Deborah Diamond is president of Campus Philly, and she joined us this week to talk about what the organization has learned.

Knight Cities podcast: Campus Philly connects students—and inspires deep connections to Philadelphia (episode 50)

Who doesn't love a great market? And there is none livelier than Reading Terminal Market in Center City Philadelphia. Anuj Gupta is the market's new general manager, and I talked to him about what makes the market so special.

Knight Cities podcast: Authentic experience attracts shoppers to Philly’s Reading Terminal Market (episode 49)

Until last summer, Philadelphia’s Spruce Street Harbor was moribund, lacking people and energy. That is, until David Fierabend and his colleagues at Groundswell Design transformed it with inexpensive, temporary design changes that have made it the place to go in the city. He discusses the project and how it was done with Knight Foundation Vice President of Community and National Initiatives Carol Coletta.

Knight Cities podcast: Philly park with renewed sense of purpose packs in the crowds (episode 48)

Meg Daly is founder and president of Friends of The Underline.

Knight Cities podcast: The Underline, a good idea on the move in Miami, with Meg Daly (episode 47)

Alissa Farina is an innovation associate at CappSci, a foundation that applies “science and engineering to real-world problems, and one of the organizers of the Miami Science Barge.

Knight Cities podcast: Miami Science Barge, a showcase for environmental education, with Alissa Farina (episode 46)

If you serve on a nonprofit board this week’s “Knight Cities” is especially for you. Raising money is part of the job for nonprofit board members, but there’s also a significant opportunity that isn’t taken advantage of nearly enough: influencing policy. This week on “Knight Cities,” we talk to BoardSource President and **CEO Anne Wallestad**.

Knight Cities podcast: Nonprofit boards have power to influence policy – if they will seize the opportunity, with Anne Wallestad (episode 45)

Miguel Figueroa heads the American Library Association Center for the Future of Libraries

Knight Cities podcast: Positioning libraries for the future, with Miguel Figueroa (episode 44)

Can behavioral science nudge us into better behavior? A growing number of government leaders think so. And they are being assisted by ideas42, a firm that uses behavioral science to design scalable solutions for social impact. Our guest this week on “Knight Cities” is **Ted Robertson**, managing director at the firm.

Knight Cities podcast: Mining science to shift public behavior, with Ted Robertson (episode 43)

Ben Bryant and the Pop-up Pool Project in Philadelphia

Knight Cities podcast: Pop-up Pool Project adds a splash of cool in Philly, with Ben Bryant (episode 42)

Carol Coletta of Knight Foundation unearths innovative ideas for making cities successful and interviews the people behind them.

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