Western Looking to Find Partner City to Solve Community Problems

Western Washington University is looking to partner with a regional city for its inaugural Sustainable Cities Partnership (SCP).

During the year-long partnership, students and faculty will work with city officials to complete projects that build stronger local and regional economies, more vibrant and livable communities, healthier and happier individuals, and a healthier environment.

Informational meetings for those interested in learning more about the program will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2 at the Canada House on Western’s campus and at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 3 in Room 364 at University Center in Everett.

The aim of the program is to focus Western’s passionate students and experienced faculty on existing problems facing communities. The projects will be part of the Western’s Sustainable Cities Partnership, which is modeled after the University of Oregon’s Sustainable City Year program. Some of the projects that University of Oregon students completed for their partner city (Redmond, Oregon) included a neighborhood revitalization plan and a feasibility analysis for a potential new multi-sport complex.

“We’re looking for projects that will help local communities achieve their sustainability goals and provide real-world skills to Western students,” said Seth Vidaña, Western’s Sustainability manager. 

Western has long-standing experience in partnering with cities through the Urban Transitions Studio, a collaboration between the university and the City of Bellingham. Projects through UTS have included street designs, corridor studies, revitalization plans and more. Because these projects are community-driven priorities, the ideas, designs, and products students generate have real-world impact by providing the community with fresh ideas to address critical, but unmet community needs.

The SCP is made possible by support from the Association of Washington Cities.

For more information, including details about proposing projects, visit the Sustainability Cities Partnership at wwu.edu/scp or contact Seth Vidaña, Campus Sustainability manager at Western, at (360) 650-2491 or Seth.Vidana@wwu.edu.