University's Small Cities Research Lab Collaborating with Local Communities for Permanent Transformation
The Small Cities Lab (SCL) at Lehigh University is making waves in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with its innovative Alley House Program. This design and research initiative aims to revitalize underutilized urban spaces and provide affordable housing, drawing attention to broader conversations about housing equity in small cities.
The SCL collaborates with various stakeholders, including local nonprofits, cities, and government agencies, to ensure solutions are grounded in local knowledge and community needs. The Alley House Program, in particular, is a response to modern zoning laws restricting the use of 19th-century Alley Houses.
One of the program's key achievements is the design and construction of pilot units for affordable housing in West Bethlehem, attracting over $1.5 million in funding. The Alley House Program Steering Committee meets quarterly to review progress and discuss priorities, influencing updates to Bethlehem's zoning ordinance.
Ernesto Zelaya '24, a former architecture student, joined the Alley House Program and shifted his focus to urban planning and community development due to his passion for housing justice sparked by his work at the SCL. His contributions to the program have been significant, and he is now advocating for affordable housing and economic justice in Los Angeles.
The SCL is not limited to housing initiatives. It is also involved in projects addressing climate justice, urban forestry, health impacts of extreme heat, disability health, social life, and wellbeing. For instance, the SCL is part of the Tree Equity Coalition, working to enhance urban forestry in Allentown's most disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Moreover, the SCL is collaborating with LANTA to improve the functionality and accessibility of a bus station in South Bethlehem. The SCL Co-Directors have shared research insights and advocated for housing policy change, informed by on-the-ground experience in small cities like Bethlehem.
The SCL has also been involved in roundtable discussions to inform Governor Shapiro's Housing Action Plan in Pennsylvania. Recently, the SCL was awarded a Community Projects Funding grant, the first award of its kind in Lehigh history. The lab is now planning to convene a symposium and workshop, the Small Cities Co-Lab, to build new partnerships and expand its research agenda.
While specific details about the program's impact, funding sources, and future plans in Bethlehem are not readily available, interested readers are encouraged to consult official SCL or Lehigh University announcements and project reports, Bethlehem city planning or housing department documents, local news sources covering urban development and housing initiatives, and grant or funding agency databases related to urban renewal and housing.
In conclusion, the Small Cities Lab Alley House Program is a testament to innovative thinking and collaborative efforts in addressing housing equity and urban development challenges in small cities like Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Its success serves as a beacon of hope for communities seeking sustainable and affordable housing solutions.
The Small Cities Lab (SCL) at Lehigh University not only focuses on housing initiatives but also extends its research to topics such as climate justice, urban forestry, health impacts of extreme heat, disability health, social life, and wellbeing. The Alley House Program's achievements include designing and constructing pilot units for affordable housing in West Bethlehem, attracting over $1.5 million in funding. SCL has been instrumental in shaping housing policy, influencing updates to Bethlehem's zoning ordinance and contributing to Governor Shapiro's Housing Action Plan in Pennsylvania. The lab, in collaboration with LANTA, aims to improve the functionality and accessibility of a bus station in South Bethlehem.ziners are encouraged to consult official SCL or Lehigh University announcements and project reports, Bethlehem city planning or housing department documents, local news sources covering urban development and housing initiatives, and grant or funding agency databases related to urban renewal and housing. Contributions by former students like Ernesto Zelaya '24, who shifted his focus to urban planning and community development due to his passion for housing justice sparked by his work at the SCL, have been significant, influencing economic justice discussions in Los Angeles.
