Neighborhoods, gaming and my trip down the CO River
From neighborhoods to gaming, our environments shape our health
Hi Friends,
It has been an intense past couple of weeks.
Write of Passage, the transformative online writing class I signed up for, has come to an end. I am working on sticking to my newly formed writing habits and leveraging this amazing new network of people.
I started writing to discuss ideas and clarify my thinking on urban development, public health and entrepreneurship. I have been working at the intersection of these three things for the last ten years, and am planning my next move. Writing lets me build my ideas in public.
Neighborhood Vitals
I got so much lovely feedback from you all over the past three weeks on my first Neighborhood Vitals essay I decided to keep writing.
This week I’m going deeper and telling stories of the communities and people already using local data and urban innovation to build healthier environments. I call it Neighborhood Vitals in Practice.
Shoutouts
I loved meeting Steve Downs, Co-Founder of Building H! They are thinking about how to build health into our everyday lives, and are pioneering an index that helps companies and consumers understand which products make them healthier (and sicker).
My favorite thing I learned?
Gaming app Ninantic got the only “A” score on the index so far for urging people to game outside and get active through Augmented Reality games. They even released a social impact report in 2019 announcing that players had collectively logged 16.3 billion kilometers through their AR games (like Pokemon GO). Thanks Brian for introducing me to Steve after my last article :)
Innovation Spotlight
I was so excited when I learned about Nico! Conventionally, it has been difficult for non-professional and high net worth investors to tap into the real estate markets.
At a Nico property, residents can make small, regular payments above and beyond their rent to build ownership and a voting voice in the buildings of and future of their communities. I made a small investment in Echo Park, Los Angeles and will let you all know how this model evolves.
Where’s Melissa?
I just got back from two weeks in the Southwest. The beautiful canyons of Arizona reminded me of the importance of wide open space in clearing our heads. And I got engaged on this river!
Until next time,
Melissa
Have you seen examples of people using data to make cities happier and healthier places?