Thom Allen named as Fall 2024 Service Learning Instructional Mini-Grant recipient

LAWRENCE — The Center for Service Learning at the University of Kansas has recognized KU faculty member Thom Allen with a Service-Learning Instructional Mini-Grant for his course Urban Planning 201: Sustainability and Society, Honors. Today, the public has a chance to see the coursework in action.

UBPL 201 introduces sustainability as both an interdisciplinary concept and a societal goal. The course connects with the local community through Park(ing) Day, during which members of the class transformed a traditional parking space in downtown Lawrence into a vibrant, temporary parklet to inspire a reimagining of urban spaces for community engagement and environmental awareness. 

KU community members are encouraged to visit the UBPL 201 parklet as part of Park(ing) Day from 4 to 9 p.m. Sept. 27 in downtown Lawrence. The event coincides with Final Fridays and the Rock Chalk Block Party.

Community partners for the project include Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop and Hoke Ley Architects. 

Students in UBPL 201 gain hands-on experience in urban planning and placemaking by leading public fire safety and prevention education during Park(ing) Day and engaging in dialogue about alternative uses for parking spaces. Throughout the class, they have contributed to the parklet design process and applied planning theories in this real-world context.  

“This mini-grant provides a unique opportunity for students to apply what they’ve learned in a real-world setting. It’s incredible to see them actively engage with the community and create something that sparks conversations about sustainability and urban spaces,” Allen said. “I’m proud to guide them through this hands-on learning experience, and I believe this opportunity will serve as a catalyst for many students as they embark on future civic engagement.” 

Service-Learning Instructional Mini-Grants encourage and support instructors in engaging undergraduate students with the broader community through service learning by integrating community-based experiences and learning as part of the course curriculum. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The Center for Service Learning collaborates with community and university partners to develop students into engaged global citizens through experiential learning and civic engagement.