When describing Cleveland’s “cool factor”as a city, most would omit its endless nightlife or sprawling skyscrapers. However, not every city has to be a busy metropolis in order to be considered progressive. Although many would boast that it’s home to one of the world’s best (and highest paid) basketball players, truth be told, Cleveland is a trend setter when it comes to keeping it’s streets clean (literally and figuratively). Last winter, Cleveland was ranked twelfth in the “Most Creative Cities” nationally. Although it has been hit hard by rustication and foreclosure, it also plays host to some of the loveliest urban initiatives, a plan to create acres of tree nurseries, oases of native plants, and bountiful community gardens filled with bees and chickens. This “green” strategy was formulated at Kent State University’s Urban Design Collaborative and is funded by the city and the Surdna Foundation. The main purpose of this new initiative is to primarily boost property values and community morale in neighbors burdened with vacant lots and condemned buildings. To top it off, the city has proposed a “Mow To Own”program that encourages neighbors to maintain nearby lots to push for a more symbiotic relationship between the city and its inhabitants. So what if Cleveland is the so-called ugly duckling of the mid-west cities? With it’s new push for greener initiatives, it is carefully paving its transformation into becoming this country’s swan. Have YOU helped save the world today? For more information, visit: www.city.cleveland.oh.us, www.fastcompany.comWant to become a Social Firestarter? “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @ BrushfireMG
