'Your City Could Be Better': Meet Nashville's Rogue Bench Builders — Presented By City Cast Portland
Are DIY urban projects the key to improving the infrastructure in cities like Portland? The grassroots group To Nashville, With Love has built and installed 60 benches at bus stops around Nashville, all without government approval. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Nashville podcast host Marie Cecile Anderson about what this guerrilla campaign is doing, why it’s gotten pushback from the city, and where Nashville’s Tactical Urbanism program fits into all this. Plus, the unique challenges of Nashville tourism.
Mentioned on the show:
- "Who Put Benches at Nashville Bus Stops — and Why Did the City Remove Them?" (City Cast Nashville)
- "Guerrilla Public Service Redux" (99% Invisible)
Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now!
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