University of Cincinnati
EN-10: Community Partnerships

The Green Umbrella is a regional alliance focused on sustainability, including climate action, green space, food access and social justice. UC has been a longstanding member, providing both material (intellectual contributions, meeting space, etc) and financial support. While there are many institutional members and institutionally driven projects, the Green Umbrella supports equity, and the amplification of voices of those from vulnerable populations and underrepresented groups, in its values and goals. See https://www.greenumbrella.org/

The Cincinnati 2030 District is a membership organization facilitated by Green Umbrella, the region’s leading sustainability alliance. The District's mission is to create a network of healthy, high-performing buildings in the city of Cincinnati. Participating members provide material support, and they make a collective commitment to reduce their buildings’ energy use, water consumption, and transportation emissions by 50% by the year 2030.
https://www.2030districts.org/cincinnati/members

This is a collaborative partnership between the University, local neighborhood associations (led in part by individuals representing under-represented communities and vulnerable populations), the City of Cincinnati, and other stakeholders which lays out a variety of goals aimed at preserving the unique character of the diverse neighborhoods surrounding the University of Cincinnati, while at the same time improving the University’s relationship with the neighboring community. https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/sites/planning/assets/File/UIASS%20Final%20Approved%20Plan%20(Web)%20(Reduced)(1).pdf

The University supported a study undertaken by the City of Cincinnati to understand the needs, gaps and issues in the neighborhoods surrounding UC's Uptown Campus. After it was published, the University and other Study partners began working on an implementation phase to operationalize the recommendations made based on the study findings.

Two of these projects are the Living in the Neighborhood series and CHCURC Housing Strategy. The Living in the Neighborhood series, given every fall by UC staff, educates students on how their actions affect the surrounding communities and thus how to "be a good neighbor." This is a three part series with presentations from the Student Wellness Center, representatives from neighborhood associations, UC Police Department, and UC Community Development.

Additionally, UC is working with the CUF neighborhood association and Clifton Heights Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CHCURC) on the CHCURC Housing Strategy. This strategy will work on taking ownership of blighted homes to renovate and re-sell at a low cost ensuring more affordability for employees of the University and other residents, while also ensuring safety of students that are renting these houses. By having affordable housing close to campus, this may encourage new faculty and staff to buy a home close to campus and be able to walk to work, increasing their health and the health of the neighborhood by reducing carbon emissions.