A revitalization project carried out by UWM’s Community Design Solutions and Milwaukee’s HOME GR/OWN initiative is a finalist in the 2015 Place by Design competition held by SXSW Eco, a yearly conference for programs that make a positive impact on communities.
On Oct. 9, finalists from the United States and other countries will pitch their projects to jurors in Austin, Texas, where the winners in five categories will be announced. The Milwaukee team will compete in the urban strategy category.
Carolyn Esswein, director of Community Design Solutions and an adjunct associate professor in the department of Urban Planning, said the project stemmed from a mayoral initiative to re-purpose vacant city lots.
The goal is to turn vacant lots in central and northwest Milwaukee into six parks and 20 orchards, Esswein said. Project staff will meet with community members for input on what they want in their community green spaces. The project is expected to generate jobs for the city as well, she said.
