On February 24, 2021, ASU Project Cities hosted a somewhat-rescheduled spring semester kickoff event with City of Peoria leadership and Project Cities students. Students had the opportunity to gain insights from a panel of Peoria city leadership, who all turned out to be ASU grads, representing a combined 68 years of local government experience. Peoria City Manager Jeff Tyne and Deputy City Manager Katie Gregory answered questions about public sector professional development and provided valuable insights on the current and future state of housing in Peoria, as well as the importance of community engagement for student projects.

Following the Q&A, Jay Davies, the Chief of Staff to the City Manager's Office, led a rousing game on Peoria trivia, with topics ranging from Peoria's history to community highlights. The competition among the students was fierce, but there can only be one winner. This year, that winner was NICKname, aka Nick C.,  a student in PUP 580 with Meagan Ehlenz.

 

Spring 2021 projects with the City of Peoria

 

Sustainability Input Analysis. In continuation from previous semesters, 4 School of Sustainability graduate students from EMS 588: MSL Capstone will provide recommendations and develop key performance indicators (KPIs) based on a public input campaign on Peoria's Sustainability Action Plan 3.0.

 

Community Forestry Implementation. School of Sustainability students from the SOS 593: Applied Project studio will build on a previous semester's work in drafting a shade plan as part of Peoria's ongoing shade planning initiatives. This semester, students will put their plan into motion, conducting public outreach and researching best practices from other communities.

 

Peoria Housing Studio. As part of the PUP 580: Planning Workshop, students will study current housing market trends with an intersectional lens focused on race, social-economic status, & multi-generational needs. Students will review and advise on affordable housing strategies, with a deep dive into the use of Accessory Dwelling Units as a strategy to address affordable housing needs.

 

Peoria Housing Needs Assessment. Students from PUP 525: Urban Housing Issues will study current housing market trends, with an intersectional lens, focused on race, social-economic status, and multi-generational needs. Students will utilize qualitative research methods to inform the City of Peoria on housing gaps caused by sociological and financial trends.

 

Sustainability Planning: Funding Strategies and Opportunities. PAF 509: Public Affairs Capstone students will work with the City of Peoria on its sustainability planning efforts by developing recommendations for funding strategies and opportunities in two target areas: water conservation education programs and improving recycling operations.

Project Cities is a member of the Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities Network (EPIC-N) and is administered by ASU’s Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory and the Sustainable Cities Network. Stay up to date with Project Cities and the Sustainable Cities Network by following us on social media or subscribing to our newsletter.