The City Design Center coordinates UIC design education courses to give
students an opportunity to make linkages among theory, practice, and social
interests, while providing design and planning assistance to Chicago area
communities under-served by the design professions. These courses generally
involve a three-way partnership among:
• a community-based organization or non-profit corporation typically
in a low-income community;
• a city agency; and
• a student/faculty team from UIC.
The close collaboration of these constituencies increases the likelihood
of implementation of the ideas developed by the students. Furthermore,
involving these different constituencies instructs students about balancing
multiple interests and viewpoints in the design and planning processes.
The City Design Center also collaborates with other educational institutions
and organizations to develop and implement curriculum to increase students’
knowledge of design and environmental issues.
