This research-based design proposal adresses the increasinlgy low housing affordability rates in Chicago IL and investigates sustainability measures for developers, institutions and households alike. In that case, three principles are reviewed, evaluated and proposed for their potential of developing a sustainable community. The three principles being; geographical location, urban den-sification and community involvement.
Step one research involves an exploration of the relation between Chicago and it’s geographical location including climate, terrain, access to waterways, distances from other urban centers, etc. The research then narrows down to simulating urban compositions accounting for their energy efficiency performance. Step two consists of analysing the housing capacities of the Goose Island Chicago, as well as profiling the actual community in and around the given site. Working it’s way through demographic and market analysis, the study compares and contrasts statistical data on chronologically. The theoretical and philosophical aspect of the paper conclude with cases of virtual communities as response to dynamic urban environments.
In step three, the proposal emerges in the shape of an urban catalyst which provides a multifunctional frame for various activities while addressing community’s demands. It is a result of constantly referring to empirical data derived from the earlier steps of research. The design solution combines both the (a)specific geographical location of Goose Island, (b)it’s densification potential and (c)attributes of the existing community, to propose a residential neighbourhood model which can be deployed for further research on it’s potential for sustainable retrofit measures.