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Introduction: Urban Research Across Chicago
Josh Ostergaard This third volume of Perspectives on Civic Activism and City Life presents the work of student intern ethnographers who participated in CCUC's Urban Research and Curriculum Transformation Institute (URCTI) during 2003 and 2004. The result of an asset-based approach to participatory action research (PAR), the papers presented here discuss current social, cultural and land use issues in the Chicago neighborhoods of Austin, Near North, South Chicago, Englewood, North Kenwood-Oakland and Chicago Lawn with the aim of stimulating positive change across the city. Download and print the full article (text and photographs). Top An Austin "Snapshot": A Nine-Week Ethnography of a Far West Side Community Nishaant Choksi  The investigation of the assets and social issues of the Austin neighborhood reveals an underutilized labor pool with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, an abundance of public and private spaces for community interaction and an atmosphere conducive to artistic practice. This article discusses significant issues in the community, such as the potential of both youth and senior citizens for greater involvement, the persistence of family ties in the face of difficulty, the large population of ex-offenders and the abundance of churches in the neighborhood. Finally, the ability of arts practice to bring together diverse populations is postulated as a possible stimulus for change in Austin.
Download and print the full article (text and photographs). Deirdre Pfeiffer  The mixed-income development of North Town Village is part of the process of change that has been taking place in Near North over the past three years. This research focuses on the extent and types of interaction between residents of different income levels, the availability, perception and use of public space and the views of stakeholders on visions they have for the future. Local perceptions of opportunities for arts practice are considered, with the idea that such practice has the ability to bring together people across cultural divides.Download and print the full article (text and photographs). Download and print the full article (text and photographs). Kelly Thomas and Yariella Coello  Although vacant lots are often perceived negatively in Englewood, a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, research shows that they are used by the community in multiple ways, and frequently are sites of positive activities. In addition to beautification and food production, gardens on formerly vacant lots provide opportunities for education, cooperation between neighbors of multiple generations and mobilization against issues such as environmental contamination.Download and print the full article (text and photographs). Cara Spicer and Gustavo Rivera  The adjacent neighborhoods of Kenwood and Oakland are in the midst of rapid change due to many factors, including the Chicago Housing Authority's Plan for Transformation. An increase in mixed-income housing developments presents an opportunity for the neighborhood's social, cultural and historical assets to be utilized by those involved in the planning process for the purpose of bringing together families from a diverse range of socioeconomic backgrounds.
Download and print the full article (text and photographs). Ryan Hollon  An increasingly diverse population is redefining the cultural landscape in Chicago Lawn, located on the Southwest Side of Chicago. A lack of multicultural meeting spaces is one factor that keeps the official planning process and efforts toward civic action from being inclusive of this diversity. The efforts of local community organizations representing the different populations and concerns of Chicago Lawn are found to be key sites for building a neighborhood that takes into consideration the issues relevant to all of its residents. Supporting these organizations while also searching for additional spaces that can be used for multicultural dialogue will help Chicago Lawn define its own future.Download and print the full article (text and photographs).
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The process of how one receives healthcare in South Chicago is complex, and includes varying views of what healthcare and health actually are, when one needs to be treated, and limitations on access to information, insurance and transportation. Though there are options for those who lack health insurance, treatment for those in this situation may include over the counter medications available from local pharmacies. Increasing access to information about the role of prevention in healthcare is postulated as one way to benefit the health of this and other communities.
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Perspectives on Civic Activism and City Life |
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