URA's Urban Matters Program

[Ngani Ndimbie]

Just heard about a new program from the URA, Urban Matters. They're requesting community based organizations in "distressed neighborhoods" (Garfiled, Polish Hill, Oakland, lots of West End/Northside, East Liberty, Larimer).

If you're interested, application deadline is Jan 3rd but it sounds as though one could request an extension tomorrow, if needed.

From this article: "Earlier this month, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) did something peculiar. It sent out a Request for Qualifications  for Urban Matters, a pilot program using art and design to educate and engage youth in Pittsburgh’s distressed neighborhoods about the city’s public policy, decision-making and planning and development activities.  It is a modest effort to increase their participation in decision-making processes that shape their communities.  This is the URA’s first endeavor into formally engaging of one of the most disaffected demographics in the city, a demographic whose neighborhoods are currently, or soon will be, going through intense redevelopment."

Does anyone know more about this?

[etc ...]

wow. thats interesting.
curious.

etc.

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[yes]

Hi all,

This program is being spearheaded by Karen Abrams at the URA.

It is based on a program developed by Center For Urban Pedagogy  in NYC http://welcometocup.org/ and specifically the program: Urban Investigations.

Personally, I respect CUP's work hugely- I think they do an amazing job as a youth centric out of school time program engaging multiple learning styles.

I believe Karen came across CUP as part of a research project that Justin Laing from Heinz was leading with various organizations from PGH looking at other organizations outside of the city.

With Heinz money they invited CUP to do a training of the Urban Investigations program - I was attended through an invitation by Justin. At that time it was very unclear what the URA had to do with it- or that it would become their program.

So this RFP was very interesting to see.

Urban Investigations works like this: a focused question is developed about a city (where does trash go?, why do schools get closed and who decides? how did a target end up in east liberty?) and then the youth are paired with a teaching artist and then interview all of the people and perspectives that may be involved in answering the question and then design a piece that communicates to a wider audience their findings, how that system works. It is very specifically about showing a wide picture...and engaging citizens in how decisions that are often opaque are made.

So it is actually very interesting that the URA would be willing to take this on, because potentially it could reveal a lot.

Let me know if you want more details about what I learned in the training...

Dana

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We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes

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Sung by Sweet Honey in the Rock