The City of Apache Junction lies on the picturesque border where metropolitan Phoenix meets the Arizona wilderness. This convenient location with easy access to nature continues to draw new residents and reoccurring winter visitors to this young city, incorporated in 1978. TodayApache Junction has a population of nearly 40,000 residents, reflecting an 11.8% increase between […]
University: Arizona State University
Project Cities is a university-community partnership. Through the program, sustainability faculty and students pair with a city to co-create strategies for better environmental, economic and social balance in the places we live. Students from multiple disciplines research difficult problems chosen by the city and propose innovative sustainability solutions that enable the city to make progress toward a better future.
ASU students in designated courses work directly with a local city on predetermined sustainability-related projects and challenges. Students from multiple disciplines research difficult problems chosen by the city and propose innovative sustainability solutions that enable the city to make progress toward a better future. Students benefit by learning to integrate social, economic and environmental sustainability knowledge into realistic solutions. In the process, participating cities may identify sustainable solution pathways for complex problems.
Sustainability & Solid Waste (2/2)
The City of Apache Junction lies on the picturesque border where metropolitan Phoenix meets the Arizona wilderness. This convenient location with easy access to nature continues to draw new residents and reoccurring winter visitors to this young city, incorporated in 1978. Today Apache Junction has a population of nearly 40,000 residents, reflecting an 11.8% increase […]
Understanding Homelessness (1/2)
In recent years, there has been a perceived increase in homelessness in Apache Junction. The 2017 Point in Time (PIT) count tallied 43 sheltered or unsheltered homeless individuals in the city on a single night in January. Apache Junction’s services for such individuals are limited and divided by county lines that bisect the city. Further, […]
Understanding Homelessness (2/2)
In recent years, there has been a perceived increase in homelessness in Apache Junction. The 2017 Point in Time (PIT) count tallied 43 sheltered or unsheltered homeless individuals in the city on a single night in January. Apache Junction’s services for such individuals are limited and divided by county lines that bisect the city. Further, […]
Municipal Revenue Sources
Around the nation, municipalities take different approaches to maintaining sufficient revenue levels to support their residents and improve their city’s quality of life. Today, however, many cities are facing a similar challenge of diminished sales tax revenues due to increased and untaxed online shopping, also known as the “Amazon effect.” In Arizona, municipalities are also […]
Positively Apache Junction (3/4)
The City of Apache Junction is located in south central Arizona, in the shadow of the Superstition Mountains. With its rich history on the silver screen and a plethora of natural and cultural attractions, Apache Junction has significant potential for tourism. Already, the city’s population of roughly 40,000 doubles to nearly 80,000 each winter due […]
Land Use Planning
Apache Junction is a young city, incorporated in 1978. It is still in the process of forming its identity and long-term growth strategy. At the same time, the city is figuring out how to stimulate its economy and improve the quality of life of its residents. Landscape architecture can help with this, as it connects […]
Planning a Sustainable Future
According to the national nonprofit organization STAR Communities, a sustainable city has a healthy environment and a strong economy and cultivates well-being for its residents. STAR Communities, which stands for “Sustainability Tools for Assessing and Rating Communities,” is a data-driven system created by local governments to enable them to assess their efforts, track progress, and […]
Positively Apache Junction (4/4)
The City of Apache Junction is located in south central Arizona, in the shadow of the Superstition Mountains. With its rich history on the silver screen and a plethora of natural and cultural attractions, Apache Junction has significant potential for tourism. Already, the city’s population of roughly 40,000 doubles to nearly 80,000 each winter […]
Transitioning Mobile Home Parks
Mobile housing represents 63% of the City of Apache Junction’s housing stock. At a time when available housing assistance and subsidies do not meet demand, these units represent a valuable source of unsubsidized housing stock for Apache Junction (the City) and the United States as a whole. While their affordability is an asset, the City […]