City Council approves residential development at 930 W. Huron – Urbanize Chicago

Report on the 930 W. Huron Residential Development and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Project Overview

• Location: 930 W. Huron, Chicago, on a block bounded by W. Superior St, N. Sangamon St, and W. Huron St.
• Developer: BD Group
• Architect: 360 Design Studio
• Status: Approved by the Chicago City Council.
• Scope: The project entails the demolition of an existing three-story industrial building and the subsequent construction of a new residential building.

Architectural and Urban Design Specifications

• Structure: A new six-story building, approximately 77 feet in height.
• Residential Capacity: 35 total units.
  • 5 studio apartments
  • 10 one-bedroom apartments
  • 20 two-bedroom apartments
• Amenities: Private balconies for most units and a communal rooftop deck for all residents.
• Transportation Infrastructure:
  • 29 vehicle parking spaces, split between a basement level and the ground floor.
  • 36 bicycle parking spaces, promoting sustainable transport options.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Urban Regeneration (Target 11.3): The project supports sustainable urbanization by redeveloping an industrial site for residential use, promoting efficient land use and urban infill over sprawl.
   • Access to Housing (Target 11.1): By adding 35 new housing units with a mix of sizes, the development contributes to increasing the availability of adequate housing within the city.
   • Sustainable Transport Systems (Target 11.2): The provision of 36 bicycle parking spaces, exceeding the number of car spaces, directly encourages and supports sustainable, non-motorized transportation, reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Economic Stimulation: The construction phase will create local employment opportunities. The subsequent residential population will support local businesses, contributing to sustained and inclusive local economic growth.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Resilient Infrastructure (Target 9.1): The development replaces an aging industrial structure with modern, resilient residential infrastructure built to current codes and standards, enhancing the quality and sustainability of the urban fabric.
4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Promotion of Active Lifestyles: By prioritizing bicycle infrastructure, the project encourages physical activity, which is a key component of a healthy lifestyle for residents.

Regulatory and Procedural Status

• Approval: The project has received full approval from the Chicago City Council.
• Zoning Modification: The site will be officially rezoned from M1-3 to B2-5 to accommodate the residential use.
• Next Steps: With council approval secured, the developer is now authorized to proceed with the necessary permitting and subsequent construction of the development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article directly relates to SDG 11 as it describes a new urban residential development project in Chicago. This goal aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The project involves key elements of urban planning, including land use change, housing construction, and infrastructure for transportation, which are central to the development of sustainable communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.

  The project contributes to this target by constructing 35 new residential units. The article specifies the unit mix (“5 studios, 10 one-beds, and 20 two-beds”), which adds to the city’s housing stock. This development provides new, modern housing options in an urban area, directly addressing the need for adequate housing.

• Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.

  This target is addressed through the project’s transportation infrastructure. The inclusion of “36 bike parking spaces” alongside “29 car parking spaces” indicates a consideration for sustainable transport options. By providing more parking for bicycles than for cars, the development encourages cycling as a mode of transportation, which is a key component of a sustainable urban transport system.

• Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.

  The article highlights several aspects of this target. The project involves rezoning the site “from M1-3 to B2-5,” which is a direct example of integrated land-use planning, repurposing an industrial lot for residential use to meet community needs. The fact that the project required and received “City Council approval” demonstrates a formal process of urban management and governance in human settlement planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 11.1:

  A direct indicator is the number of new housing units created. The article explicitly states that the project will have “35 residential units.” This quantifiable data point can be used to measure the increase in housing supply resulting from this development.

• Indicator for Target 11.2:

  The number of dedicated bicycle parking spaces serves as an indicator for promoting sustainable transport. The article specifies there will be “36 bike parking spaces,” which can be used to measure the capacity of new developments to support and encourage non-motorized transportation.

• Indicator for Target 11.3:

  An indicator for sustainable urban planning is the change in land use. The article mentions the “rezoned from M1-3 to B2-5,” which documents the conversion of land from industrial to residential purposes. This change reflects planning decisions aimed at densifying residential areas and is a measurable outcome of the urban management process.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: chicago.urbanize.city