The Center For Urban Transformation Programs
Additionally the CUT is in discussions with the Gaylord Nelson Institute of the University of Wisconsin-Madison to potentially create a collaboration in the following program areas:
Architecture, Design and Engineering Collaboration
The CUT is interested in a collaborative with the GNI on the following design initiatives:
Potential support and partnership for the redesign of season extension equipment such as low and high tunnels (also known as hoophouses). The project will seek to redesign the structures so that they are easier to construct and cheaper to produce. Assistance with regard to creating a manufacturing platform so that they may become part of a green manufacturing initiative that will produce, distribute and install the season extension equipment throughout the region.
Architectural and design assistance for the development of food access equipment such as produce carts, produce kiosks and mobile produce stores. Also the design of a manufacturing platform for the equipment.
The architectural design of community scaled modular buildings for grocery stores and produce markets in underserved communities. The project will also include a manufacturing initiative to create a company that would manufacture and install the units on site. The modular building will be designed on a platform that would make them easy to expand or reconfigured for other uses. Emphasis will also be applied to making the structures as energy efficient (green) as possible yet affordable and comfortable. This project could be the prelude to the design of other modular commercial and residential buildings with the concomitant manufacturing and installation components.
Creation of a Consortium of Academic Institutions as Community Development Partners
The CUT and GNI will work to identify and organize additional academic and nonprofit institutions into a framework for providing technical assistance for urban planning and community development initiatives that integrate urban agriculture, manufacturing and green architecture and design components into comprehensive, sustainable community development initiatives in Englewood and surrounding community areas of Chicago.
Potential partners for this initiative will be regional institutions such as “Big Ten” universities and local community colleges and universities such as Chicago State University and the City Colleges of Chicago with additional potential partners from historically Black colleges and universities particularly those with agriculture, architecture and urban planning programs.
Architecture, Design and Engineering Collaboration
The CUT is interested in a collaborative with the GNI on the following design initiatives:
Potential support and partnership for the redesign of season extension equipment such as low and high tunnels (also known as hoophouses). The project will seek to redesign the structures so that they are easier to construct and cheaper to produce. Assistance with regard to creating a manufacturing platform so that they may become part of a green manufacturing initiative that will produce, distribute and install the season extension equipment throughout the region.
Architectural and design assistance for the development of food access equipment such as produce carts, produce kiosks and mobile produce stores. Also the design of a manufacturing platform for the equipment.
The architectural design of community scaled modular buildings for grocery stores and produce markets in underserved communities. The project will also include a manufacturing initiative to create a company that would manufacture and install the units on site. The modular building will be designed on a platform that would make them easy to expand or reconfigured for other uses. Emphasis will also be applied to making the structures as energy efficient (green) as possible yet affordable and comfortable. This project could be the prelude to the design of other modular commercial and residential buildings with the concomitant manufacturing and installation components.
Creation of a Consortium of Academic Institutions as Community Development Partners
The CUT and GNI will work to identify and organize additional academic and nonprofit institutions into a framework for providing technical assistance for urban planning and community development initiatives that integrate urban agriculture, manufacturing and green architecture and design components into comprehensive, sustainable community development initiatives in Englewood and surrounding community areas of Chicago.
Potential partners for this initiative will be regional institutions such as “Big Ten” universities and local community colleges and universities such as Chicago State University and the City Colleges of Chicago with additional potential partners from historically Black colleges and universities particularly those with agriculture, architecture and urban planning programs.
The central theme of CUT programs will be food,
farming and sustainability particularly as they relate
to developing healthy and sustainable communities.
The community areas that CUT programs will be
focused in are Greater Englewood (Englewood and
West Englewood), Chicago Lawn, Park Manor,
Chatham, Woodlawn, Washington Park and West
Garfield Park.
farming and sustainability particularly as they relate
to developing healthy and sustainable communities.
The community areas that CUT programs will be
focused in are Greater Englewood (Englewood and
West Englewood), Chicago Lawn, Park Manor,
Chatham, Woodlawn, Washington Park and West
Garfield Park.
Additionally the CUT will be involved in rural
development projects primarily in Pembroke
Township and surrounding municipalities in Kankakee
County. The project being planned in the Pembroke
community is a farmer training and farmer incubation
program designed to train emerging farmers, bring
land in production in underserved rural communities
and increase the amount of locally produced food
available in Illinois generally and in particular
Underserved urban communities in the Chicago
Metropolitan Area.
Many of the programs that the CUT will be involved
will be in partnership with local community
development corporations and community
development organizations working in the
aforementioned communities.
Program development and actual programs are a
dynamic endeavor. That means that depending upon
numerous variables some programs mention herein
may not come to fruition, while other programs not
mentioned here may emerge.
development projects primarily in Pembroke
Township and surrounding municipalities in Kankakee
County. The project being planned in the Pembroke
community is a farmer training and farmer incubation
program designed to train emerging farmers, bring
land in production in underserved rural communities
and increase the amount of locally produced food
available in Illinois generally and in particular
Underserved urban communities in the Chicago
Metropolitan Area.
Many of the programs that the CUT will be involved
will be in partnership with local community
development corporations and community
development organizations working in the
aforementioned communities.
Program development and actual programs are a
dynamic endeavor. That means that depending upon
numerous variables some programs mention herein
may not come to fruition, while other programs not
mentioned here may emerge.
Macro Project
The project would consist of asset mapping and community profiling that would provide a roadmap for green economy projects including urban agriculture and manufacturing initiatives. The project would look at south and west side communities using GIS and other planning tools to determine what community is best suited for from a green collar jobs perspective. For example is Englewood better suited for large scale urban ag projects while the Back of the Yards community may be better suited for manufacturing projects? This initiative would assist communities in making these decisions and allow them to focus their planning and redevelopment resources in an efficient manner.
The project would consist of asset mapping and community profiling that would provide a roadmap for green economy projects including urban agriculture and manufacturing initiatives. The project would look at south and west side communities using GIS and other planning tools to determine what community is best suited for from a green collar jobs perspective. For example is Englewood better suited for large scale urban ag projects while the Back of the Yards community may be better suited for manufacturing projects? This initiative would assist communities in making these decisions and allow them to focus their planning and redevelopment resources in an efficient manner.