Katya received her Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Public Affairs from the University of Illinois at Chicago. As a student, she participated in the Institute of Public and Civic Engagement’s Urban Public Policy Fellowship Program (UPPFP). The UPPFP entailed an internship at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, where Katya was assigned to work with an environmental planner that focused on food policy and systems in Chicago and its surrounding counties. While in school, Katya also studied abroad in both India and the Netherlands. After attaining her Bachelors Degree, Katya decided to apply to the RARE Program in hopes of applying her education and experience in a rural context. Following her year with the RARE Program, Katya hopes to complete a master’s degree in urban planning.
Placement: City of Florence
Population: 8,466
Location: Florence
Sponsor: City of Florence
Supervisor: Jacque Betz
County: Lane
Coast. City Planning.
The Florence area was originally inhabited by the Siuslaw tribe of Native Americans. In the second half of the 19th century, Anglo-Americans permanently settled the area that would become Florence. This rugged frontier community depended on the logging and fishing trades for its economic survival. The town incorporated in 1893 and hit a population of 300 in the year 1900, a year when it was proud to boast a lumber mill, two general stores, two canneries, a saloon, and a weekly newspaper. Incorporated in 1893, the City of Florence is led by an elected Mayor, a City Manager and four City Councilors.
The RARE participant placed with the City of Florence will help build organizational and community capacity in a number of important arenas. Specifically, the participant will work with an array of local businesses and organizations to increase participation in the City’s efforts to reduce solid waste; work with City staff to improve the level of customer service in the processing of land use applications; and help implement a number of projects/programs indentified in the City’s Transportation System Plan.
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Now accepting applications. Applications must be received by April 26, 2013. Apply Now!