To Keep the Weight Off—Oklahoma City Prioritizes Active Urban Spaces

In 2012, Oklahoma City lost one million pounds by going on a citywide diet. Now it plans to keep the weight off by funding and building a more active, less car-centric city.

November 11, 2014, 9am PST | James Brasuell | @CasualBrasuell

"Oklahoma City is in the midst of its own $777 million MAPS 3 initiative to redesign its streets and create new public spaces that encourage more activity from residents," according to Shaun Courtney.

MAPS 3, according to the article is "funded by a limited term, one-cent sales tax initiative that began in April 2010 and ends in December 2017." The tax will raise $777 million during that period, enabling "a 10-year program created to finance eight projects, from convention centers and public parks to more modern transit, trails and sidewalks."

Courtney's article follows an earlier article by Jessica Leber, who also provides the background for the MAPS 3 initiative, a citywide diet initiative that led to the shedding of a collective one million pounds prompted Republican Mayor Mick Cornett to "start redesigning the city around people, not cars…"

Full Story:

How Oklahoma City’s diet sparked more active urban spaces

Published on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 in Urbanful