CFS Experiences, CFS Student Experience

Brandon Discusses His Urban Planning Project with Downtown Evanston

Posted by cfs424 on

BrandonBock-photoName: Brandon

Year: Senior

Majors: Economics and Urban Studies

CFS Concentration: Field Studies in Civic Engagement

My internship has been great thus far. I have learned a great deal, and I am preparing for a potential career field in urban planning. I am thinking of attending graduate school after a couple of gap years. This internship is giving me tools to help reach those goals.

My current project is centered around downtown Evanston and the CTA station at Foster Street. Foster Street is a business district just to the north of downtown Evanston. In recent years, Foster has not been as vibrant as it could be. There are a few businesses, but the area does not serve the 20-35 year old demographic that makes up about 70% of the surrounding population.

I am currently helping to research and put together a plan for what the future of this area will look like. This is very preliminary in planning, but the results will hopefully have a large impact on the community. The goal is to create a space that better suits the population of the area.

It is important to consider all the different pieces and stakeholders when putting the plan together. Examples include transit, infrastructure, zoning, and tax revenue that all play a big part in this. Residents, developers, landlords and business owners are also impacted by the decision process. With careful planning we can create something that people will like and appreciate.

Of course there is also the downtown piece that is important. Foster is located on the northern edge of downtown, so any development here needs to fit into the overall direction for downtown development. If this is not taken into consideration, then you end up with poorly used space, and business development that is not ideal for the area.

As I continue with this project, I have a lot to learn, but I see great benefit in what I am doing. The result is rewarding because I know what I’m doing will make a difference in many people’s lives. We are working to create spaces where people can work, live, and play in a healthy environment.