About the Sustainable City Year Program
The Sustainable City Year Program is an innovative university-community partnership program founded by the Sustainable Cities Institute (SCI) at the University of Oregon in 2009-10. In this unique model, existing courses, faculty, and students from across campus are purposefully directed toward a single Oregon community over an academic year to address vexing issues identified by the community. SCYP and the students, faculty, and communities it partners with are a shining example of Oregon innovation, leadership, and how leveraging resources can contribute to meaningful, additional, and society-wide value.
SCYP is more than just students working on a project for a class. It is creating Oregon’s future workforce, developing a connection with local government and Oregon communities, and generating creative, out of the box ideas by high achieving students and faculty experts. The projects that SCYP works on are prioritized by our partners, which means they are important and relevant. It is difficult to put a limit on SCYP’s potential, just as communities have limitless possibilities to improve the quality of life for their residents, businesses, and visitors.
Partner with SCYP
Cities and public agencies apply to partner with SCYP – detailed information about the partnership and application is part of Request for Proposals.
2021-22 Partner
City of Hermiston
For the first time in its history, the Sustainable City Year Program will be working in eastern Oregon as it partners with the City of Hermiston. Sitting at the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Hermiston is the region’s trade center and is experiencing significant growth. Five courses, all in the UO’s School of Planning, Public Policy and Management, worked with Hermiston this past fall term. During winter and spring terms, UO, Portland State University (Civil and Environmental Engineering), and Eastern Oregon University (Government) will all be working in Hermiston.
CITY PARTNER LEAD: Clint Spencer
FALL 2021 North Hermiston Land Use Planning and Design
Project Description: The City will be developing a North Hermiston Local Area Plan and hopes to enhance circulation, relieve congestion, and support a sustainable commercial node. Working individually and in teams, students will assess climate-friendly and equitable redevelopment scenarios for North Hermiston, analyzing potential opportunities and the challenges of revitalizing the site based on one of five key themes—Affordable Housing, Racial Justice, Climate Resilience, Rural Economic Development, and Sustainable Transportation. Each student team will also conduct research related to land use, transportation, history, economic development, and other planning areas. Students will present case study research from Oregon and Pacific Northwest cities that have similar context and characteristics as Hermiston.
Recommendations: The culminating final product will include an urban design proposal and redevelopment vision. Beyond spatial considerations, planning policy recommendations to support the students' site-based recommendations will be included.
CITY PARTNER LEAD: Byron Smith
FALL 2021 Community and Recreation Center Funding and District Analysis
Project Description: The city of Hermiston is interested in constructing a large scale community and recreation center with an indoor aquatics center and other amenities. The City is interested in considering a novel approach to financing such a facility such as intergovernmental agreements with neighboring jurisdictions. The City would like to compare that approach with forming an Oregon Revised Statute-designated parks and recreation district. Students will evaluate funding options for the district and recommend methods for increased funding, including a review of the current district boundary and valuation, and research of options to increase district tax collections.
Recommendations: Students will evaluate financial yield with potential funding options under two geographic scenarios; provide recommendations for geography, tax rate, and revenue; and evaluate whether revenue sources are fair, efficient, and sustainable. Students will also develop a capital financing strategy for the City.
CITY PARTNER LEAD: Byron Smith
FALL 2021 Community Facilitation
Project Description: Students will engage in experiential learning by traveling to Hermiston and supporting two public engagement projects related to 1) Community Visioning and 2) North Hermiston Local Area Planning. Students will divide into groups to support the two projects and apply engagement techniques that include a design charrette and focus groups.
Recommendations: A final report will be developed that documents participant input, students’ perspectives, and “lessons learned” regarding community engagement, which Hermiston may choose to use with future community outreach.
CITY PARTNER LEAD: Byron Smith
Winter 2022 The Value of Libraries
Project Description: Libraries are the center of information for so many communities and “reimagining” libraries to bolster the information health of communities is key. What should they include? Students will assess information needs and recommend how to support Hermiston as the city rethinks a portion of their library remodel based on what we heard from Hermiston residents.
Recommendations: Students will complete an information needs assessment and make recommendations.
CITY PARTNER LEAD: Clint Spencer
WINTER AND SPRING 2022 Engineering Capstone Designs
Project Description: Portland State University engineering students will work on a street plan for the North Hermiston area.
Recommendations: The project team will prepare a final report that will likely include 30% design.
CITY PARTNER LEAD: Byron Smith
SPRING 2022 Community Navigator Assessment
Project Description: Students will consider how a system of basic human needs community connections within Hermiston could be developed to ensure that people are able to easily link to person-friendly community resources to access nutritious food, shelter and safety from domestic violence with a focus on immigrant and refugee communities and communities of color. Students will determine the extent and any gaps in existing services.
Recommendations: TBD
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the City of Hermiston for the opportunity to begin a long-term connection between the University of Oregon and the City of Hermiston. Special thanks to City Manager Byron Smith and Planning Director Clint Spencer. SCYP also acknowledges the Hermiston City Council and Mayor for their support.