The Global Designing Cities Initiative is establishing an ongoing Global Expert Network to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices amongst local champions striving to shape world-class streets in their local context. The Network will empower knowledge sharing that promotes efficient mobility for all users, public health and safety, economic development, environmental sustainability and social and cultural value. Network members will be provided with an opportunity to contribute to the Global Street Design Guide (GSDG), to share resources and to participate in peer-to-peer mentoring.
The network provides an opportunity to have a reach beyond the ten selected Bloomberg cities and will be a continually growing collective of global knowledge and expertise.
* As of 17th April, 2015 and it continues to grow.
** For more resources applicable to Global Expert Network Members, click here.
To know more about the program and join the Expert Network, please email us at global@nacto.org
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Scaling up Streets for Kids: Highlights from the 2025 Streets for Kids Leadership Accelerator
In 2025, GDCI brought together a selected group of 10 city teams working to scale up their efforts to create more and better Streets for Kids in Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador through multiple projects, programs, and policies. Here’s a look back and key learnings from a two-month online capacity-building program.
In October 2024, the Streets for Kids project was inaugurated in the Jordão neighborhood in Recife, Brazil, a community where children faced multiple challenges accessing safe and high-quality public spaces. Heavy rains, frequent flooding, and landslide risks often made their journey to school dangerous and unpredictable. Throughout the process, children, caregivers, school staff, and residents were engaged to co-create solutions that improve access to schools, supporte outdoor play and social connection, and set a precedent for future child-focused street transformations in Recife.
Creating Safer Spaces for Play: Tackling Air Pollution in Accra
In collaboration with the Korle Klottey Municipality and with support from the Clean Air Fund, GDCI launched the Removing Pollution from Play project in late 2023, with the aim to tackle air pollution in school environments by implementing practical solutions, raising awareness, and empowering communities to advocate for cleaner air. In March 2025, the completed intervention was inaugurated, and the new safe play space now serves over 150 students in Accra.
