Greetings,

If anyone is in DC and interested in attending, there will be a launch event at WRI on July 23^rd for Cities Safer by Design, a global tool for improving traffic safety in cities through urban and street design. Below is the invitation to this event, rsvps to saferbydesign@wri.org:

Cities Safer by Design

Join us in Washington, DC at World Resources Institute for the launch of and panel discussion about Cities Safer by Design, a global reference guide to help cities save lives from traffic fatalities through improved street design and smart urban development.

This hands-on guide taps examples from cities worldwide and includes 34 different design elements to improve safety and quality of life. The research shows that traffic safety can be improved in cities two ways. First, by providing an urban environment that reduces the need for driving; and second, by making areas where vehicles and people mix as safe as possible by reducing speeds through design to safer levels and prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists.

The report describes on-the-ground examples from Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Istanbul, New York City and Paris. Key findings from the report cover urban design, traffic calming, key considerations for arterials and intersections, pedestrian facilities, bicycling networks and access to public transport.

This event will include a presentation on the new guide and feature a high level panel to discuss and explore how cities can implement and scale up safer design that results in better quality of life for all urban dwellers across the world.

Please RSVP by email at saferbydesign@wri.org.

Presenter

Ben Welle, Senior Associate, Health & Road Safety, EMBARQ initiative, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, World Resources Institute

Panelists

· Ellis Juan, General Coordinator, Emerging and Sustainable Cities Program, Inter-American Development Bank

· Rob Puentes, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution

· Marc Shotten, Senior Transport Specialist, The World Bank

· Claudia Adriazola-Steil, Director, Health & Road Safety, EMBARQ Initiative, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, World Resources Institute

The session will be moderated by Clayton Lane, Deputy Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, World Resources Institute

Agenda

When: Thursday, July 23

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
12:00-12:30 Lunch
12:30-12:45 Opening remarks
12:50-1:10 Presentation of Cities Safer by Design
1:10-1:45 Panel introductions and discussion
1:45-2:05 Q&A
2:05-2:15 Closing remarks

Note: The program will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m.

Where: World Resources Institute
10 G Street NE Suite 800
Washington, DC 20002, USA

Please RSVP via email at saferbydesign@wri.org

- See more at: http://wricities.org/events/cities-safer-design%20?utm_campaign=July16Newsletter&utm_source=July16Newsletter-2015-07-16&utm_medium=email%20#sthash.wW5Tc5fz.dpuf

Ben Welle

Senior Associate, EMBARQ

WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

World Resources Institute

WRIcities.org

Direct: +1 202-729-7794

bwelle@wri.org | Twitter: @Benj_WDC | Blog: TheCityFix.com

WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities works to improve life for millions of people in urban areas worldwide.

WRI is a global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being.