The Chandler City Council has reached an agreement with Arizona State University to develop a program for solutions, designs and recommendations to help the community in its planning.

The master intergovernmental agreement between the city and the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf ASU for the Project Cities Program connects “students and faculty with projects and sustainability needs and challenges faced by local community partners,” according to a release.

Through the program, undergraduate and graduate students from multiple disciplines will research issues selected by the city.

“ASU faculty and staff and city staff will collaborate on experiential learning projects that will help them gather data,” the release stated.

 At the end of each semester, students will present their solutions, designs, recommendations and strategies to Chanldler staff.

“The ideas can then be used by city staff to make more informed decisions to move projects, planning and community sustainability efforts forward,” the release stated.

This agreement has a five-year term.  

“Project Cities aligns with focus areas in the city’s 2023-2025 Strategic Framework, including economic vitality and sustainability and technology,” city officials said, adding the first potential collaboration will be working with a School of Sustainability class to study park activities at five of Chandler’s parks to better understand weekly use.