News

Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the 19 winning European cities in their Asphalt Art Initiative. The initiative would see the cities receive funds and expertise to develop their own street-calming measures by using colourful murals and designs.

Traffic-calming street murals are coming to 19 cities across Europe in a bid to improve pedestrian safety.

Nineteen European cities receiving Asphalt Art Initiative grants of $25,000 to undertake projects in 2023 that use art and design to improve street safety, revitalize public spaces, and engage residents of their communities.

Since volunteers painted brightly colored pavement designs at three key intersections near the school this spring, drivers have been slowing down and yielding to pedestrians more regularly. Johnston Square’s “Bee Safe Art Crosswalks” project was funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative and AARP.

In Kansas City, Missouri, artists are transforming an infamous intersection into the picture of safety. The project is the latest among dozens of street murals across more than 40 cities that are part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative.

If speeding and visibility are the problem and crosswalks can’t stop it, color might. The Asphalt Art Initiative, a program funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, provides grants to create art to modify dangerous streets.

David Andersson of the Art and Culture team at Bloomberg Associates chats about the implementation and safety characteristics of asphalt art, how communities work on these projects, and the character of public art.

Baltimore’s “Bee Safe” asphalt art project has been a resounding success with Johnston Square residents. And the nearby elementary school has been able to adopt a more family-friendly dismissal policy, going from a single location at the school’s front entrance to smaller group dismissals at multiple entrances now that the walk home is safer.

Saving lives on the road surely can’t be as easy as painting the town red – and pink, green, and yellow? Or purple and blue? Can it? Adam Hill has a brush with Bloomberg Philanthropies.