Boot Camp for Mayors: 20 Ideas to Fix America's Cities

As America's cities grow and expand, there's great opportunities--but there are also significant challenges. Twenty innovative metros are vying for $9 in grant money to address their city's greatest needs.

1 minute read

November 7, 2012, 5:00 AM PST

By icicorg


Spearheaded by NYC Mayor and ultraphilanthropist Michael Bloomberg, the Mayors Challenge is a business-plan type competition for cities to develop innovative, and replicable, ideas for improving urban life.

ICIC outlines the 20 finalists (out of 305 entrants) and digs deeper into three of the proposals that could have the largest impact on inner city economies.

In Milwaukee, over 4,000 foreclosed lots will be transformed for urban food uses. The author explains, "ICIC research has shown that 60% of food cluster workers have a high school diploma or less, versus 44% for the rest of the economy. Food cluster jobs are well-paying and accessible to inner city residents based upon education and skills required."

In Syracuse, an International Village would help immigrants launch microenterprises. San Francisco wants to matchmake job seekers with city projects to help unemployed residents gain new skills.

See articles in Next American City and Fast Company Co.Exist for explanations of what some of the other twenty finalists are proposing.

Monday, November 5, 2012 in ICIC

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

3 hours ago - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

4 hours ago - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

5 hours ago - Governing