University's Small Cities Research Lab Collaborating with Local Towns for Permanent Transformations
Lehigh University's Small Cities Lab Focuses on Community-Driven Revitalisation
Lehigh University's Small Cities Lab (SCL) is at the forefront of initiatives aimed at reimagining small cities, with a particular focus on affordable housing and community-driven solutions. The SCL's work is rooted in collaboration with universities, community leaders, and government agencies, ensuring that solutions are grounded in local knowledge and community needs.
The SCL received startup funding and staff support from the College of Arts and Sciences to conduct research on reintroducing affordable housing models in contemporary urban challenges. One such initiative is the Alley House Program, which has designed and built pilot units for affordable housing in West Bethlehem. This program, originally built in the 19th century for migrant workers, has faced restrictions due to modern zoning laws, creating a gap in affordable housing.
The Alley House Program has attracted over $1.5 million in funding and has sparked broader conversations about housing equity in small cities. The Steering Committee of the Alley House Program convenes quarterly to review progress and discuss priorities as Bethlehem considers updates to its zoning ordinance.
In addition to the Alley House Program, the SCL is involved in a project to enhance urban forestry in Allentown's most disadvantaged neighborhoods. This initiative aims to improve the quality of life and promote sustainable development in these areas.
The SCL is also planning to convene community leaders, academics, non-profits, municipal officials, and government agencies for the Small Cities Co-Lab symposium and workshop. This event will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss and collaborate on solutions for small cities' challenges.
Furthermore, the SCL is addressing the health impacts of extreme heat in Allentown and other small cities. This project seeks to understand and mitigate the effects of extreme heat on vulnerable populations, particularly low-income communities.
The SCL's diverse portfolio includes interdisciplinary projects on disability health, social life, and wellbeing. The Lab is also evaluating the impacts of retail electric deregulation on low-income communities.
Notable alumnus Ernesto Zelaya '24, who joined the SCL as an architecture student, has become an advocate for housing justice. After graduating, Zelaya now works with Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE) in Los Angeles, advocating for affordable housing and economic justice.
The SCL's Co-Directors were invited to participate in roundtable discussions to inform Governor Shapiro's Housing Action Plan. This invitation underscores the SCL's influence and the importance of its work in addressing small cities' challenges.
While exact projects under the Small Cities Lab are not itemized in the available information, these collaborations and the lab’s community-driven focus suggest ongoing work addressing affordable housing challenges through participatory, localized strategies. For exact project names and detailed descriptions, direct contact with the Small Cities Lab or Lehigh University resources would be necessary.
- The Small Cities Lab (SCL) at Lehigh University is also involved in a project related to urban forestry, aiming to enhance and promote sustainable development in Allentown's disadvantaged neighborhoods, which falls under the broader umbrella of education-and-self-development and science.
- The SCL's work extends to addressing health concerns, specifically the impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations, including low-income communities, thus intermingling the fields of health and science.
- The SCL collaborates with various stakeholders, including faculty, community leaders, academics, non-profits, municipal officials, and government agencies, to research and develop community-driven solutions, such as the Alley House Program focusing on affordable housing, which falls under the domains of education, research, arts, and social life.
