Pilsen and Little Village are thriving urban neighborhoods located in Chicago’s Lower West Side and South Lawndale community areas, respectively. While each neighborhood has its own unique history, culture, assets, and challenges, the two areas also share many similarities. Both play important roles as vibrant centers of Mexican life in Chicago and the region. Both serve as important job centers and have a significant portion of their land designated for industrial activity. And both share similar goals for the future. Among others, these include: improving and expanding access to parks and open space; expanding housing options; and promoting sustainable business and retail development.
Pilsen and Little Village each have powerful networks of community-based organizations with long histories of working towards these goals. Camiros assisted the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) in creating a Land Use Plan that will build upon each community’s valuable assets. Camiros has led the development of specific design concepts for a number of key elements including enhancing connections to the south branch of the Chicago River, Cermak Trail bicycle improvements and an evaluation of transit-oriented development potential along the CTA’s Pink and Orange Lines.
