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November 8, 2026

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A ‘Rage Room’ That’s Saving a City — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake

City Cast Salt Lake

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A ‘Rage Room’ That’s Saving a City — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake

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It’s fall in Salt Lake City, but just this week, cities across the country experienced record-high heat. In Somerville, MA, the city government is realizing that rising temperatures deserve their attention and intervention year round — and they’re running a fun, generous program to help. David is joined by Elyse Belarge from the Somerville Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Environment to talk about the city’s pilot to de-pave and re-vegetate residential lots. Elyse shares the jaw-dropping impact of asphalt-free zones, as well as the joy of taking sledgehammers to driveways in your neighborhood.

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