During the 2023-24 academic year, the UI's Initiative for Sustainable Communities has partnered with Bondurant and Dubuque. Each community received more than a dozen projects produced by UI students from a wide range of departments.
Bondurant: Quickly expanding
The partnerships were unique to the needs of each community. As one of the fastest growing municipalities in the state, Bondurant asked for IISC to focus on infrastructure. SPPA students have created a master plan for the city's parks, recreation facilities, and greenways. Another team focused on reviewing the city's public safety needs and assessing the current and future needs of the city in this area.
Dubuque: Iowa's leader in sustainability
Dubuque, which was IISC's first partner more than a decade ago, is widely considered to be a sustainability leader in Iowa. SPPA projects have focused on affordable housing and alternative transportation, with two teams creating action plans in both areas. Another SPPA group assessed the city's green alleyways, an ambitious project that is well underway and slated for completion in 2040. And a fourth group focused on public libraries and at-risk patrons
Showcase events welcome community members and alumni
Each of these teams, along with students from Civil and Environmental Engineering, the College of Law, and the Division of World Languages, Literacy, and Cultures, will share their work at two showcase events this spring: Bondurant on April 26 and Dubuque on May 2. In addition to concurrent student presentations, there will be an opportunity to hear from community leaders, UI musicians, and IISC leadership.
Bondurant-IISC Showcase, April 26, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
https://bit.ly/RegisterBondurant
Dubuque-IISC Showcase, May 2, 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM
About IISC
IISC is the UI's foremost engagement program connecting Iowa communities with faculty and students to advance shared goals. Each year, it works with several Iowa community to bring the expertise, tools, and curiosity of UI students from across disciplines. Located in the School of Planning and Public Affairs, the program is anchored by capstone projects from students in Urban and Regional Planning and Public Affairs.