The Chicago response to urban problems - Building university-community collaborations

University-community relationships are sometimes marked by division and hos tility. Key problems in the relationship include the assumed objectivity of the academy and the real estate interests of universities. The history and description of these relationships in Chicago indicates that there are oth er historical trends that have led to fruitful partnerships, including the strength and diversity of community groups and change and diversity in univ ersity students and personnel. This article uses the examples of the UIC Ne ighborhoods Initiative at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Pol icy Research Action Group to show how strong, viable collaborations can occ ur Their experiences point to a new research model and same key lessons lea rned of. how to use collaborative partnerships to enhance the way society d eals with today's urban problems.