Here’s a special New Years Eve edition of my urban news and views:

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  New Study Shows Walkable Neighborhoods Make People Happier: Besides the health and environmental benefits you get from walking instead of driving, walking around a neighborhood increases the number of social interactions you have. (Treehugger)

• Urbanism Triumphant: New Year’s Hope? Urbanism” isn’t a word that races many peoples’ motors. But think again. It might just be the key—not only to enrich community life but to achieve a safer energy future and efficient and livable metro regions and insure our place in the larger world. (Citiwire)

• Want a Trader Joe’s? Then add more residents: Residents in many neighborhoods often say they wish their neighborhood had a Trader Joe’s or other new retail options. There’s only one real way to get such businesses to move in: Add more residents who can shop there. (Greater Greater Washington)

• The Revolution Will be Locally Funded: Groups of artist-entrepreneurs around the country have begun extending the locavore idea to the realm of culture. A tale of how some not-so-starving artists are applying the logic of community-supported agriculture to grant-making. (Next American City)

• Want a safe place to raise kids? Look to the cities: Cities might be enriching and green and beneficial for kids in all kinds of ways. But what most parents want to know is, are they safe? The answer is that there is nothing inherently dangerous about cities. On the contrary. (Grist)