January 28, 2026
UW Livable City Year and City of Granite Falls partner for Hazard Management Planning
The University of Washington’s Livable City Year (LCY) program is partnering with the City of Granite Falls for a second academic year. During the winter and spring quarters, students will support the city in developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan to build community resilience and reduce risk from natural hazards.
Graduate students in urban planning will assess community vulnerability, identify risks—including flooding, wildfire, earthquakes, severe storms, and other hazards—and plan strategies to reduce the impacts of future hazards. Students will analyze infrastructure, land-use patterns, environmental conditions, and socio-economic factors.
“This project in particular is integral to the City’s preparation for natural hazards that could impact our growing community and will become an important element in the County’s overall Hazard Mitigation Plan,” said Brent Kirk, Deputy City Manager for the City of Granite Falls. “I highly recommend this partnership with UW to other municipalities and really appreciate the leadership and organization of faculty and staff involved with this program. It really is a win-win for everyone.”
LCY launched its partnership with the City of Granite Falls in winter 2025 with a project to evaluate a possible expansion of the Municipal Campus. Graduate students in urban planning assisted the city in evaluating land-use options and site design concepts for parcels adjacent to the Granite Falls Municipal Campus, including possibilities for a civic plaza and a future community center. Students examined the feasibility, accessibility, and long-term land-use considerations to inform the city’s decision-making.
Students also worked with the city to plan for the renovation of Jim Holm Park, a signature community space. The project assessed recreational uses and facilities, green space, safety and visibility, pedestrian and non-motorized access, and opportunities for inclusive, multi-age recreational and social benefits.
Branden Born, Director of UW’s Livable City Year program, sees great potential from such community-university partnerships. “Communities have planning and project needs, but sometimes not enough resources for identifying or studying the options available to them. On the other hand, the university has students and faculty looking for meaningful applications of what they are studying in school. It’s a perfect match situation. We particularly appreciate being able to get to know and work with communities over multiple years, as the partnership deepens and successive projects increase positive local impact.”
The Livable City Year program works with local governments (not just cities!) over one or more academic years, matching community-identified projects with courses and students across all three UW campuses. Partner communities benefit from faculty and student academic expertise, innovative ideas, and enthusiasm, while students gain the opportunity to solve real-world problems and make meaningful, lasting impacts. In addition to its ongoing partnership with the City of Granite Falls, this year LCY is continuing to partner with the Pacific County Economic Development Council and beginning new partnerships with the City of Seattle and Pierce County.
The UW’s Livable City Year program is led by faculty director Branden Born in the Department of Urban Design and Planning. The program received founding support from UW Sustainability and Urban@UW, as well as the UW College of Built Environments, UW Undergraduate Academic Affairs, and the Association of Washington Cities. LCY is a member of the Educational Partners for Innovation in Communities Network (EPIC-N), a global nonprofit association of member programs that connect universities with communities to tackle local challenges.
