On this page, you'll find descriptions of individual projects and overviews of the communities with which we've partnered.

Use the filter to search for kinds of projects, e.g., public art or engineering, or to locate a specific community.

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Charles City Waterfront and Credit Trading

Published
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Academic year
2010-2011
Partner

Graduate students in the School of Urban and Regional Planning developed a market analysis for a kayak park on Cedar River and made recommendations for linking the new park to downtown. Students also drafted recommendations to enhance the quality of water in Cedar River through water quality credits trading.

OskaloosaFieldProb Spring 2011

First Step Oskaloosa Solid Waste

Published
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Academic year
2010-2011
Partner

Due to Oskaloosa's increase in population, city officials were interested in recommendations that supported growth in a sustainable way. Students evaluated the economic and environmental impacts of the City's waste hauling system and made recommendations for developing a more environmentally friendly and economically sound program.

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Keep Columbus Beautiful Celebration

Published
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Academic year
2009-2010

Students developed a series of events that aligned with Earth Day celebrations and involved residents. The final proposal outlined three goals and strategies: actively engage residents in community projects that incorporate sustainability; raise household awareness of resources to help sustain, build, and strengthen the community; and engage the youth and adolescent populations.

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Vision Anamosa

Published
Monday, June 27, 2016
Academic year
2009-2010
Partner

Urban and Regional Planning students studied the current state of the downtown area in Anamosa, Iowa and through research drafted a revitalization plan, Vision Anamosa, for local officials to use as they continue to build upon their current efforts.

Wellman Logo

Wellman Sustainability Plan

Published
Monday, June 27, 2016
Academic year
2009-2010
Partner

Urban and Regional Planning students created The Wellman Sustainability Plan which centers on sustainability-oriented recommendations for the City of Wellman.

Recommendations were drafted based on surveys, public meetings, and discussions with local officials. The Plan was a ten-year road map that categorizes recommendations into seven topics: economic development, water, parks and recreations, transportation, energy efficiency, housing, and food.

Bio Retention System

Stormwater Management with Permeable Pavement and Bioretention Structures

Published
Monday, June 27, 2016
Academic year
2014-2015
Partner

Engineering students researched the extent of impermeable surfaces in the east-west portion of North Dodge Street Court and developed a stormwater management plan for the city of Iowa City.

Iowa City was interested in the increased application of permeable pavement and bioretention within the city. These systems fell under the umbrella of “green street” designs, which address growing concern for sustainable stormwater management by mimicking local hydrology prior to development.

Star Community logo

STAR Sustainability Assessment

Published
Monday, June 27, 2016
Academic year
2014-2015
Partner

Students in the Department of Geographical and Sustainability Sciences assisted the City of Iowa City with their Leadership STAR Community Program application by gathering information about City policies, practices and actions in the areas assessed by STAR.

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South Airport Site Development Improvements

Published
Monday, June 27, 2016
Academic year
2014-2015
Partner

Engineering students created a Master Redevelopment Plan that presented findings on the condition of Iowa City's airport facilities and made recommendations on how to most efficiently develop the farmland around the decommissioned southern runway to increase the airport’s future revenue generation capacity.

Water Reclamation map

Water Reclamation for Terry Trueblood Recreation Area

Published
Monday, June 27, 2016
Academic year
2014-2015
Partner

Engineering students created a project aimed at reducing the water demand, energy consumption and costs for Iowa City's Wastewater Division. The students calculated the areas needing irrigation along with the volume of water needed. Pump sizes, electrical service, and a design plan estimating construction and operational costs were the deliverables.

Green Alleyways study

Green Alleyways

Published
Monday, June 27, 2016
Academic year
2014-2015
Partner

Students in the School of Urban and Regional Planning gave four recommendations to the City of Iowa City and the Iowa City Downtown District about waste management in local alleyways in order to increase the use of the sustainability potential of these areas.

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Enhancing Urban Pollinator and Beneficial Insect Habitat

Published
Monday, June 27, 2016
Academic year
2014-2015
Partner

Students researched bee diversity in Iowa City, compared it to bee diversity in prairie and agricultural settings, and related it to floral diversity in each setting. They used pan trapping and sweep netting methods to collect bees during their research. They offered recommendations to the City of Iowa City to help the area maintain and increase urban bee diversity.

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Emerald Ash Borer: Monitoring and Management

Published
Monday, June 27, 2016
Academic year
2014-2015
Partner

Students conducted research on Iowa City’s ash trees to help prepare for the emerald ash borer (EAB) and develop a response plan. Students used various survey methodologies to assess current ash tree condition and coverage in Iowa City, including counting the trees, recording their GPS coordinates, and measuring their characteristics. Using this data, students created a map of ash tree coverage and identified priority sites in which they recommend that the city implement monitoring and management strategies.

Radon Campaign

Community Radon Campaign

Published
Monday, June 27, 2016
Academic year
2014-2015
Partner

Students in the College of Public Health worked in three groups that targeted different sectors of the Iowa population: the aging population, parents of elementary-aged children, and homeowners in Iowa City to look at the levels of radon in these sectors. Each group researched best methods to reach their audience and developed recommendations for the City and Department of Public Health to implement.

Sustainable Iowa City logo

Strategic Communication Campaign for Marketing Sustainability

Published
Monday, June 27, 2016
Academic year
2014-2015
Partner

Undergraduate students created three strategic communication plans for the City of Iowa City.

The goal of these plans is to help city communicators gain local and regional attention to the sustainability efforts in Iowa City. Each of the campaigns is directed towards a different audience and includes different promotional materials, also developed by the students. Each campaign outlines branded marketing materials, website mockups, costs, timelines and more.

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Soil Analysis of Potential Urban Agriculture Areas within City Limits

Published
Monday, June 27, 2016
Academic year
2014-2015
Partner

Students in the Earth and Environmental Sciences program evaluated soils at the Chadek property, which was a vacant city lot located in the Morningside neighborhood of Iowa City, south of City High and a few blocks west of 1st Ave.

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Internal and Local Marketing of Sustainable Behavior

Published
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Academic year
2014-2015
Partner

Students in the Tippie College of Business created a local marketing campaign to promote sustainable behavior in Iowa City called IC Impact. Their objective was to have IC Impact start a sustainability movement in Iowa City that would lead to a positive impact on the community.