Willimansett and Chicopee Center Urban Design Plans 1995-1997 Contracting with the City of Chicopee's Office of Community Development, UPP organized studio groups and interns, and provided design assistance for the communities of North Willimansett and Chicopee Center. These communities are facing a variety of urban problems such as aging infrastructure, ethnic tension, property vacancies, and lack of neighborhood identity. UPP approached these projects by working closely with the people who live and work in the area. Public workshops, discussions, and presentations were conducted to invite participation and to build consensus. At the end of the process, a series of community-based design alternatives were proposed for public open spaces, community "gateways", and re-use of vacant lots. These alternatives promoted communication between citizens and encouraged action by the city.

Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning
University of Massachusetts, Amherst MA 01003, USA

Last Modified May 1998
upp@larp.umass.edu
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~upp