Building Vibrant Communities

This report explores the meaning of 'vibrancy' in the context of the Chicago Housing Authority's neighborhood transformation efforts. Over the course of five months, the Chicago Policy Research Team at the University of Chicago has examined vibrancy through five different lenses: the built environment, civic society, services and amenities, the economy and housing policy. From these perspectives, we have asked questions such as, 'how important is access to technology for educational success?', 'what role do religious spaces play in creating social networks?', and 'how can the design of a park foster a greater sense of community?' Our findings are aimed at informing the agency and its partners on how to cultivate vibrancy in Chicago's diverse neighborhoods, not just by achieving specific metrics, but also by affording Chicago residents a voice and sense of belonging.