Our City, Our Future: Building Resilient Neighborhoods

As a leading multi-disciplinary organization focused on the built environment, ULI Chicago is well positioned to convene its members and partner organizations to develop best practices for a restoration framework following the COVID-19 pandemic to help build a more equitable, sustainable and resilient Chicago region. Cities have long been the crucibles of innovation and growth and for Chicago to continue to thrive in that role, we need a shared, inclusive vision for the future that includes all neighborhoods. Identifying opportunities for encouraging capital investment across all sectors of the built environment, with a focus on uplifting all neighborhoods and residents by addressing ongoing structural disinvestment, will be a key part of ULI Chicago’s Resiliency Initiative. Sustainable development practices that help build climate resilience will be an integral part of recommendations.

The Initiative will focus on developing a framework for building equitable and sustainable neighborhoods as building blocks of a thriving, resilient city. ULI Chicago is convening four task forces to help identify key physical, social and economic elements that help build resilience at the neighborhood and at the city level and develop recommendations and an action plan to encourage and nurture them in Chicago’s neighborhoods. We will work in partnership with the City of Chicago to provide recommendations that will inform the City’s citywide plan. The four task forces will focus on:

• Housing Diversity. For-sale and rental housing that is affordable for various income levels, supports health & safety of residents in different life stages.
• Economic Opportunity. Access to education, jobs, and opportunity for all households, especially households of color, to promote stability.
• Physical Infrastructure. Strategic investments to improve mobility, access to safe drinking water and manage urban flooding. Ensuring that existing/new infrastructure advances sustainability and is designed to withstand the impacts of extreme heat and cold associated with climate change.
• Social Infrastructure. Promoting contextual neighborhood development that enhances access to services & resources such as fresh foods, healthcare, open space, arts and that celebrates the rich architectural and cultural heritage of Chicago’s neighborhoods.

The Resiliency Initiative is co-chaired by:

• Ciere Boatright, Vice President, Real Estate and Inclusion, Chicago Neighborhoods Initiative
• Pamela Daniels-Hailsi, Managing Director, Community Development Lending, BMO Harris
• Scott Goldstein, Principal, Teska Associates
• Jacques Sandberg, Vice President, Affordable Housing, Related Midwest