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CITYSPACE: THE PAST OF URBAN RENEWAL AND THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

DAY ONE: Friday, April 9, 2004, 4:30pm-7:30pm

DAY TWO: Saturday, April 10, 2004, 9:45am-7:00pm

LOCATION: International House, 1414 E. 59th Street, Chicago

As we examine today's new era of community development, with the destruction of high-rise housing projects and a renewal of development in economically disadvantaged communities, we should reexamine the events of the past in order to see clearly the obstacles before us. Is community development a new and different approach to an inherited problem? Or is it an antiquated approach to the persistent problems of economic and racial integration, lack of adequate affordable housing, and rampant distrust and poor knowledge exchange between the community and the University?

This conference will explore with theoretical breadth three phenomena that greatly affect Chicago communities: urban renewal, economic development and public space. The panel on urban renewal will discuss how past policies affect today's efforts in the community. The panel on economic development will address the political and social forces that can be brought to bear in raising the level of investment and job opportunity in an underresourced community. The panel on public space will address the question of how to cultivate geographical and intellectual spaces where democracy, sociability, and collective memory can be fostered. This second session will also address the racial and economic boundaries to knowledge-sharing that hinder citizens' ability to participate in our democratic political life. Although each panel is broadly themed, concrete and specific examples will be cited to bring local relevance to these problems. Workshops for practitioners and activists will also be offered, focusing on grant writing, funders, models of success and coalition building.

All events are free and open to the public. This conference is co-sponsored by the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture, The University of Chicago, the International House Global Voices Program, and Angels of Def.