University of Washington

Livable City Year

Website |www.washington.edu/livable-city-year

Livable City Year (LCY) links University of Washington students and faculty with a Washington city or other regional government for an entire academic year, partnering to address the city’s sustainability and livability goals by engaging students and classes across the university. The program helps cities accomplish critical projects in an affordable way while providing opportunities for students to learn through real-life problem solving.

The program’s inaugural partnership with Auburn, Washington, during the 2016-2017 school year engaged more than 160 students working on 17 projects in the fields of urban design and planning, public health, sociology, environmental studies, and business.

The initial year was a success thanks to the collaboration, guidance and feedback of Auburn city staff and decision-makers who helped shape the learning experience for UW undergraduate and graduate students. The partnership provided Auburn with research, analysis and recommendations, the result of more than 19,000 hours of student work. The relationship will continue as UW and Auburn assess the program’s lasting impact and benefits to the community.

Livable City Year is continuing in the 2017-2018 year in partnership with the city of Tacoma, which will build upon Tacoma’s existing relationships with UW Tacoma, and identify new opportunities across all UW campuses and disciplines.

Fun Facts about LCY

“The dedication that UW students put toward the partnership with Auburn is beyond compare,” Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus said. “Each project they took on addressed a unique facet of Auburn, and gave us both results and starting points to address needs and improvements in our community. The partnership through the LCY program is one that has built a bridge between Auburn and the University of Washington which will continue long beyond this single year.”

Year Program Established | 2016
Country | US
Federal Region of Program | 10

Public or Private Institution | Public
Number of students at institution | 41,000 undergrad, 16,000 grad

Highlight Articles/Videos

University of Washington’s Livable City Year program completes inaugural partnership with Auburn
University of Washington, City of Tacoma announce Livable City Year partnership for 2017-2018

City Partners

2016-2017 | Auburn • Population: 77,472
2017-2018 | Tacoma • Population: 211,277

Contact Info

Teri Randall
Program Manager
(206) 221-9240
terir@uw.edu