Updated: July 2011

OVERVIEW

TheCityFix.com is an online resource for sustainable transport news, research and “bestpractice” solutions from around the world. Launched in 2007, the site connects a global networkof writers and transport specialists, including engineers, entrepreneurs, urban planners andresearchers, who explore environmentally and socially responsible ways to make cities better places to live.The blog is produced by EMBARQ, a nonprofit program of theWorld Resources Institutethat works to catalyze and help implement environmentally and financially sustainable transportsolutions to improve quality of life in cities.Since 2002, the EMBARQ global network has grown to include five centers, based inBrazil,Mexico,India, Turkey and the Andean Region, that work together with local transport authorities to reduce pollution, improve public health, and create safe, accessible and attractive urbanpublic spaces. The network employs more than 100 experts in fields ranging from architectureto air quality management; geography to journalism; and sociology to civil and transportengineering.TheCityFix relies on this international community and other volunteers to provide a global, multi-disciplinary perspective to its coverage of local sustainable urban transport.To read our Portuguese-language blog, visitTheCityFixBrasil.com.

WHAT’S BLOGGABLE?

TheCityFix covers news, ideas, events and policies that help advance sustainable mobility, witha strong focus on scalable and replicable solutions for cities in the developing world. We avoidwriting non-constructive or negative posts that dwell on partisan politics, self-promotion,distasteful humor or obscure “inside” jokes, and gossip or hearsay.We cover the following topics, reflecting the practice areas of EMBARQ:

Integrated Transport

– bus rapid transit, rail, metro, bicycling, ridesharing, walking

Urban Development + Accessibility

– land use, urban design, infrastructure

Air Quality + Climate Change

– local pollution, global carbon emissions, adaptation

Health + Road Safety

– public health, quality of life, safety and security

Communications + Marketing

– branding, mapping, wayfinding, user engagement

Updated: July 2011

WRITING TIPS

We encourage writers to develop their own voice and share their opinions and analysis, but tryto organize your thoughts using this simple structure:

Introduction:

Begin with an interesting quote, story, fact or question. Entice people to readmore.

What’s the main point?

Summarize the main idea. Keep it short and simple. Make sure thereader can understand the essence of the story from this one paragraph.

Background information:

Give additional details. Connect the idea to current news or trends.Provide a brief history of events or explanation of next steps

.What are the successes and opportunities?

What works? What else could be done? How isthis new or innovative?

What are the limitations?

Explain if there are any obstacles or problems. Suggest areas for improvement.

So what?

What’s the significance? Why should people care? How can people get involved or learn more? Include a list of resources, if appropriate. Summarize your main point again. Askprovocative questions to encourage people to leave their comments.

TONE AND STYLEOptimistic:

Focus on opportunities and solutions. Be constructive and thoughtful.

Useful

: Provide specific examples and case studies to explain an overall concept. Be accurate,especially in regards to names, titles, dates, measurements and money. Suggest ways to getinvolved or learn more.

Informed

: Refer to credible sources, whether it’s a news article, book, research paper or person. Consult an expert. Give proper attribution to ideas/images/quotes/facts that aren’tyours.

Clear

: Don’t assume your readers know everything. Explain the basics of who, what, where,why, when and how. But don’t get bogged down with details that don’t support your main point.Avoid jargon, clichés and big words.

Fresh

: Be creative. Think of new and different angles to familiar stories. Be up-to-date.

Updated: July 2011

BLOGGING ESSENTIALS

First thing’s first! Create an account here:http://thecityfix.com/wp-signup.php

Become an official contributor

If you would like to be a regular contributor, please fill out this online form:http://thecityfix.com/become-a-contributor/. Our editors will invite you to submit a post if theyfeel like you’d be a good fit.

Keep it short

Keep paragraphs short. Use bullet points.

If this is the first time you’ve contributed to our site, please limit your post to 500 words. Otherwise, try to keep your posts to no more than1,000 words.

Write a good headline

Readers should be able to tell what your post is about from the title. Try to include a strongverb. Remember, less is more – limit your title to 5-8 words.

Include an image

Each post must contain a link to at least one main image. This can be a photo you've taken,an image licensed under Creative Commons, or one that you otherwise have permission touse (include the photographer’s name and/or URL.) Find images licensed under CreativeCommons on Flickr:www.flickr.com/search/advanced

Add hyperlinks

By linking to other websites and blogs within your post, you refer readers to more usefulinformation and also give credit to your sources. Always try to hyperlink names of peopleand organizations, website addresses, and also, related stories, videos, backgroundinformation and other references.

Organize with categories

Each post should relate to at least one of TheCityFix’s main categories: IntegratedTransport

Urban Development + Accessibility

Air Quality + Climate Change, Health + RoadSafety, and Communications + Marketing (See descriptions on Page 1.)

Search for related posts

Before your submit your post, search the archives to see if similar stories have been writtenon TheCityFix and include links to the original articles, where appropriate.

Volunteer

TheCityFix cannot offer financial compensation at this time. Instead, we give volunteer writers the opportunity to share their ideas with a global audience of sustainable transportexperts and enthusiasts.