Sustainable City Year Reports 2023-24 (Salem)

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Browsing Sustainable City Year Reports 2023-24 (Salem) by Subject "Sustainable Cities Initiative"

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    City of Salem's Commercial and Residential Operations Fee: Recommendations to Augment Fee Equity
    (University of Oregon, 2023) Betros, Rosemary; Lewis, Rebecca
    The City of Salem implemented a City Operations Fee in 2019 to supplement revenue for its General Fund. The City was concerned, however, that the current fee structure does not adequately account for equity across commercial and residential classes. As one part of its effort to improve the equity of the fee's administration, the City sought input from Fall 2023 University of Oregon (UO) PPPM 629, Public Budget Administration students.
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    Engaged Journalism: Listening to Salem's Hispanic Community
    (University of Oregon, 2024) Duong-Tran, Joshua; DeVigal, Andrew
    Working with the Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) and the City of Salem, this class sought to understand how information flows through the Hispanic community in Salem. This Engaged Journalism course conducted a survey, facilitated a conversation with 80 students, and visited Salem to better understand community information needs. Recommendations support greater information access for these communities via collaborations with local entities. Divided into age groups ranging from under 18 to over 65, with the largest demographic being the under 18 category, 36% of residents indicated that sharing information among coworkers and classmates constituted the primary channel for learning about events that held significance for them or their community. Participants generally gravitated to personal networks and social media when locating community information. The survey revealed that when an event occurred within their community, most residents turned to their personal networks, such as Facebook groups, and social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok for further insights. Half of the participants mentioned K-12 education as the prime issue of importance. Based on these findings, the Engaged Journalism class compiled the following categories of recommendations to better meet the information needs of Salem’s Hispanic community: media literacy enhancement via local news collaboration; short-form content distribution through Instagram and TikTok; and bilingual resource guides distributed in popular third spaces (community centers, schools, etc.); centralized radio collaborations exploring pivotal topics distributed on bilingual platforms; and local civic information community gatherings hosted in popular third-party spaces.
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    Green Cities Artificial Intelligence
    (University of Oregon, 2023-12) Stephens, Ric
    In an era defined by rapid urbanization, the effective planning and management of cities have become paramount to ensure sustainable development, efficient resource allocation, and enhanced quality of life for residents. Traditional methods of urban planning and management are grappling with the complexities and challenges presented by modern cities. Enter Artificial Intelligence (AI), a disruptive technology that holds immense potential to revolutionize the way cities are planned, designed, and operated. The primary aim of this report is to provide an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted role that Artificial Intelligence plays in modern city planning and management. Through a comprehensive analysis of key AI applications, case studies, challenges, and ethical considerations, the report aims to provide resources for urban planners, City staff, and elected officials responsible for community planning and development. These include a model City policy, draft informational public meeting format, AI software and applications, implementation actions, AI timeline, glossary, and research references. This report represents the cumulative efforts of many participants and is sponsored by the City of Salem and Sustainable City Year Program. The Green Cities AI project website is at: https://blogs.uoregon.edu/artificialintelligence/. As cities continue to evolve into complex ecosystems, the integration of Artificial Intelligence stands as a pivotal force in shaping their trajectories. Through this report, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how AI is transforming the way cities are planned, operated, and experienced. By analyzing the tools, applications, and ethical considerations, we hope to equip policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders with the insights needed to navigate the AI-driven urban landscape effectively and create cities that are not only smart but also sustainable, resilient, and regenerative.
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    The Lowest Hanging Cherry: Stopping Idling
    (University of Oregon, 2023) Blodgett, Liz; Hewatt, Beau; Ignacio, Alyssa; McKnight, Helen; Sesar, Chloe; Schillinger, Attila
    Students in the PR Campaigns capstone course devised three strategies to reduce idling in the city of Salem, Oregon. Strategy 1 emphasizes the city leading by example, calling for city employees to cease idling to encourage broader community participation. This approach builds credibility within the city workforce and sets the tone for collective action. To implement this strategy, Tactic 1 suggests holding employee training sessions, involving higher-ups in promoting the cause and highlighting success stories through various media channels to inspire others. Strategy 2 focuses on educating the youth of Salem about the environmental consequences of idling. Students recognize children’s influence on their parents, and this strategy aims to create a culture of environmental responsibility from an early age. Students propose hosting school assemblies with environmental experts, conducting a student sticker/slogan creation campaign and leveraging social media to amplify the impact. Finally, Strategy 3 emphasizes the importance of spreading awareness about the health risks associated with idling. The plan suggests collaborating with media outlets and local businesses to disseminate information effectively. By strategically placing our message in spaces where people can actively participate, such as drive-throughs and parking lots, the campaign aims to maximize the reach and drive home the message of reducing idling for a healthier and more sustainable Salem.
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    Navigating Urban Networks: A GIS Exploration of Walkability in Salem, Oregon
    (University of Oregon, 2023) Houston, Niamh; Kohler, Nick
    The City of Salem, Oregon, has shown dedication to achieving sustainability goals and revitalizing its neighborhoods by conducting walkability and comprehensive corridors assessments. As part of the Sustainable City Year Program, students from the Geography Department at the University of Oregon participated in an Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) class in collaboration with Salem to uncover and address the deficits in pedestrian pathways and to strategize enhancements to the city’s walkable corridors. By leveraging the city’s geospatial data, the students crafted an array of network service area maps, density maps, and weighted overlay maps using ArcGIS technology. The analyses considered demographic distribution, the location of public amenities, urban zoning, and commuting behaviors to assess the feasibility of pedestrian navigation in Salem. Students focused on three main variables: diversity, equity, and inclusion; pedestrian safety; and sidewalk accessibility. In examination of these focal points, the data not only captures the current state of Salem’s pedestrian pathways but also aligns with broader community needs. The ensuing narrative will summarize our research into clear recommendations for improving walkability in Salem, providing an overview suitable for readers interested in actionable strategies.
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    SCYP Salem Compilation Report
    (2024) SCYP Staff
    This compilation report details the collaborative efforts of the University of Oregon’s Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) partnership with the City of Salem during the 2021-2022 academic year. This partnership involved over 20 projects across five schools and colleges, 14 faculty members, and over 350 students addressing key strategic priority areas identified by the Salem City Council. Projects ranged from public budgeting and climate action public relations campaigns to transportation policy and urban planning. The report summarizes the SCYP partnership to provide the City of Salem practical recommendations and innovative solutions to help the community tackle its challenges, leveraging the latest academic insights and the energy of university students to drive forward a more sustainable future.
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    Timber Tectonics: Building for the Circular Economy
    (University of Oregon, 2023) Alampi, Elisia; Cheng, Nancy Yen-Wen; Riggio, Mariapaola
    Exploring innovative kit-of-parts construction methods, our project centers on the adaptable nature of reciprocal frame construction, focusing on sustainable reuse of panel materials such as plywood and Mass Plywood Panels (MPP). The University of Oregon (UO)-Oregon State University (OSU) collaboration generated diverse ideas for a small seasonal pavilion in Salem, Oregon’s Highland Park. Following a review, the class united to consolidate the best concepts into a singular project. Operating as one team, the class developed construction details, prefabricated components, and sequenced on-site assembly. The OSU-UO Tallwood Design Institute’s (TDI) Emmerson Lab, UO College of Design’s Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, and CNC WoodCutters machined trial and final components. Student-led assembly and installation took place in Week 10, with a final review and installation in the Emmerson Lab. The insights of the review, along with the work of the term, culminated with many lessons learned and a new set of guidelines for an outdoor installation in Highland Park.
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    Volunteerism & Civic Engagement - The Next Wave
    (University of Oregon, 2023) Knight, Kayleigh; Mundy, Dean
    The Strategic Planning and Cases course (J 453) at the University of Oregon worked with the City of Salem to develop outreach campaigns to address the City’s volunteerism and community engagement needs. Although each student team developed a campaign plan that focused on a distinct target audience, all teams had two common goals: 1) Improve and generate a stronger volunteer base through social media and 2) Increase outreach accessibility for all ages and backgrounds, which could then lead to increased volunteer rates and community engagement.