City of Salem – 10/06/23 3:30 PM
- An October 11 open house will celebrate the Sustainable City Year Program; a partnership between the City of Salem and the University of Oregon.
- The 2023-2024 program will focus on solving the City of Salem’s problems of today and laying the groundwork for a sustainable, livable future.
Salem, Ore. — The City of Salem will celebrate its 2023-2024 partnership with the University of Oregon’s Sustainable City Year Program at an open house Wednesday, October 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Salem Public Library’s Peace Plaza Lobby. The open house will feature examples of work being done to help address Salem’s challenges. The public is welcome.
The Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) is bringing the academic knowledge of University of Oregon professors and students to focus on the City of Salem’s problems of today and help lay the groundwork for a sustainable, livable future. In return, the City will help students prepare for the workforce through applied learning.
University of Oregon students and professors will focus on up to 20 courses directed at high-priority projects for Salem City Council and our community. The courses will include journalism, architecture, geography, planning and public administration with more disciplines added through the year as project and course matches are made.
A summer course in Green Cities has already explored the role of artificial intelligence and technology for cities. Fall courses will focus on fee equity, volunteerism and civic engagement, walkability, and parks and recreation structures.
This Sustainable City Year Program and City of Salem partnership is possible, in part, with support from U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, as well as former Congressman Peter DeFazio, who secured federal funding for the program through Congressionally Directed Spending and the US Department of Education.
The City of Salem last worked with the Sustainable City Year Program in the 2010-2011 academic year. In all, 27 courses with more than 500 students contributed to Salem in that year.
Communities emerge from this program with increased outreach, expanded breadth of conversation, and cutting-edge solutions. Students emerge with real world experience, prepared to enter the public service-oriented workforce.
Learn more about the Sustainable City Year Program.
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