Introducing the Urban Solutions Journalism Academy: Learn to Tell Better Stories About Cities

Cities are full of stories. Let’s learn how to tell them better - together.

Dear readers,

Thank you so much for being part of this growing community and for supporting the mission of urban solutions journalism. Whether you’re here out of curiosity, passion, or professional interest, your presence means a lot.

Today, I’m excited to share something new I’ve been working on and I’d love to hear what you think. And I’m offering you the chance to try it out first.

What is the Urban Solutions Journalism Academy?

The Urban Solutions Journalism Academy is a learning space for those who want to write more effectively and impactfully about cities. It’s designed for journalism students, urban planning students, early-career professionals, and anyone who wants to explore how we can tell better stories about urban change.

In a compact, hands-on format, we’ll cover:

• What solutions journalism is and why cities need it

• Why storytelling matters in shaping urban change

• How to find, write, pitch, and share stories that matter

• Real-life examples of urban solutions journalism from around the world

The goal is to equip more people to report on solutions from their own cities — clearly, creatively, and constructively.

I wrote about the importance of urban solutions journalism a little while ago here:

What will you walk away with?

By the end of the Academy, you’ll have:

• A set of story ideas relevant to your local context

• Tools to turn these into clear, engaging articles

• Guidance on how to pitch to editors

• Tips for getting your story read, published, and shared

• A better understanding of how to link urban practice with journalism

• A supportive community of fellow urban storytellers

For longer formats (like one- or two-day workshops), we’ll include a field trip or walking tour, either together or virtually, to inspire observational storytelling and urban analysis.

And after the Academy? I’m planning to offer ongoing writing sessions and community co-working via Substack, so you can continue building skills and staying connected.

Be part of the first Urban Solutions Journalism Academy

As a thank-you for being an early subscriber, I’m offering a free trial version of the Academy for readers of this newsletter. Whether you’re a student, a planner, or someone who simply loves cities and storytelling, join us for the first Urban Solutions Journalism Academy and help shape the experience.

Interested? Just reply to this email or leave a comment below, and I’ll follow up with details. You can also share what you’d like to learn or suggest topics to include.