Renew Calumet: Addressing a Legacy of Extraction Through People-Centric Projects

Project Description

In light of the historic marginalization of local residents and ecologies at the hands of the spatial economy, and the local histories of labor and environmental activism, the green new deal (H.Res.109) drives the project conceptually with its focus on transformative projects that prioritize frontline communities. The scale of change illustrated stems directly from proof that is the new deal, and the examples of comprehensive change it sparked. The other key tenets applied are a multipronged approach that prioritizes frontline communities, renews and reinforces natural systems, and supports the creation of good jobs and social programs. Other policies are examples of current policy ideas supported locally that drive the tenets of the green new deal forward.

To imagine immediate change in the region, the existing local frameworks of the RENEW act and Calumet National Heritage area are applied. The RENEW Act (S.4538), envisions a new civilian conservation corps that provides residents with job training and work experience while also completing needed maintenance and restoration of parks, trails, and natural areas. The Calumet National Heritage Area (CNHA) is a conservation and economic development strategy aimed at historic preservation, natural resource conservation, recreation, heritage tourism and educational projects. To envision long term, comprehensive change, the framework of a just transition is used as a guide to conceptualize larger structural changes in the economy and its facilitating infrastructure that is centered around providing good jobs and a healthy environment to communities.