WA|K-H was a multi-year initiative focused on improving pedestrian accessibility and community engagement in North Lawndale. A collaboration between  SAIC at Homan Square, the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council, Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago, and the City of Chicago, the project empowered local high school students to assess, design, and implement urban interventions for a safer, more walkable neighborhood.

​In 2019, SAIC faculty and graduate students in partnership with local high school students through a paid research & design program focused on pedestrian access to the Kedzie-Homan Blue Line CTA Station. Over six months, together they conducted walkability assessments at 24 neighborhood intersections, interviewed residents, engaged local businesses, and identified barriers to pedestrian safety. Their findings and recommendations were presented to the Mayor’s Pedestrian Advisory Council. The report can be found here.

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From 2020 to 2022, the initiative evolved into the Lawndale Civic Design program taught at SAIC at Homan Square. High school students continued in paid Spring and Fall Urban Design & Intervention courses, and expanded on the scope of WA|K-H by developing and implementing streetscape interventions to enhance safety and accessibility. Their work led to a neon light mural inspired by CTA line colors, bringing much-needed illumination and fostering community pride. Through a partnership with the Chicago Department of Transportation, critical infrastructure improvements were made, including repaved roads, rebuilt sidewalks, curb cuts, tactile surfaces for accessibility, and new timer-based traffic lights to increase pedestrian safety.

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On these newly reconstructed streets, students designed and painted an asphalt art mural, adding vibrant imagery to this arterial intersection. Self-portraits were installed on fencing along Homan Avenue, reflecting the voices and identities of the youth involved. The mural painted on the street features butterflies, representing transformation and safety, and koi fish, drawing parallels between the spread of Asian carp from the south and North Lawndale’s connection to the Great Migration while exploring themes of environmental justice and displacement.

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Through WA|K-H, students not only influenced city planning but also played a direct role in reducing accidents and fostering a stronger sense of community. This initiative stands as a powerful example of youth-driven urban design, demonstrating how engaged, informed residents can create lasting and meaningful change in their neighborhoods.

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Press

How Can North Lawndale Streets Be Safer For Pedestrians? Locals Tell City Hall After 6-Month Study (Block Club Chicago, March 4, 2020)

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This LED Mural Will Light Up A Dark West Side Intersection And Make The Street More Walkable (Block Club Chicago, May 4, 2021)

West Side Pedestrians Avoid This Busy Intersection, But Public Art And Street Improvements Aim To Make It More Walkable (Block Club Chicago, October 14, 2021)