Created By Sam Richmond, Dylan Gomez, Roan Postich
CUF is home to community members who have lived in the neighborhood for decades. You can catch these people putting on events with the neighborhood association, attending mass at the local churches, and supporting the local businesses
The majority of the population are the students of the university. They typically don’t live here for much longer than four years.
There are also families with children who live in CUF, despite the limited school access and largely collegiate demographic.
Sam: Alright AJ, first question is; how long have you lived in CUF for?
My wife and I moved into our house in 2017 when we wanted to start family. The prices were affordable, and our children would receive a education from preschool onwards through the Clifton Area Neighborhood School. One large motivator to move so close to campus is its safety. We know that when our children are playing out in the front yard that they be happy and secure. This location does have its drawbacks though. Because the house is so close to campus, students oftentimes party late the night. When our children are supposed to be in bed, they’re unable sleep. I oftentimes worry that this could affect their future health. The copious amounts of trash around the house also serves as an issue. After parties, the students leave their garbage on the ground, leaving myself my wife to pick up the stray cans. Despite these issues, I choose to enjoy time with the family. As our children grow up we will consider moving.
The Larkins have been residents of CUF for more than 40 years. They originally moved when their kids were young and got admitted to Fairview German School, wanting to take advantage of an active community. Enjoying the foundation they built the Larkins never felt an urgent need to move, but they have begun to feel more negatively about college students taking over CUF.
CUF is home to the University of Cincinnati, which brings tons of students and faculty to campus every day and provides some of the most iconic neighborhood landmarks
The couple views students as feeling entitled to treat their new home with disregard and without consideration for their fellow neighbors. Coupled with Fairview German School moving to Clifton the Larkins distaste for the CUF’s tragectory was justified.
Today the Larkins are frequent attendents of church services at St. Monica, can be seen in Burnet Woods on occasional walks, and enjoy the ammenities on Ludlow Ave. Unknowingly they continue to emodie the elements of the strong CUF community who’s roots remain despite souring attitudes.
AJ: I have lived in CUF for... [starts counting on fingers]... (laughing) I don’t know if I remember.
Sam: You don’t remember?!
AJ: 8 months.
The neighborhood features countless brick row homes, creating a dense neighborhood typology with loads of character
AJ: It’s been great, I’ve loved it.
CUF has numerous parks and green spaces that feature a wide range of uses and amenities, so that an escape from campus or neighborhood street is never far away.
Sam: 8 months, there we go, there we go. How have you liked it so far?
Sam: Alright yeah, yeah. What’s your favorite feature of the neighborhood?
AJ: My favorite feature is the lookout point at Fairview Park and how you out there and you get a good look out at the West End and downtown. And also, most of the parks that they have.
Sam: Yeah, yeah. I’m more of a Bellevue man myself but...
AJ: Yeah, I understand that.
Sam: What’s the biggest problem you see in your neighborhood?
AJ: The biggest problem... probably... litter.
Sam: Okay.
AJ: And that’s mostly because it’s a bunch of partying students, but...
Sam: Yeah, yeah. Makes sense.
AJ: Yeah.
This Impressions Map is an introductory look into the makeup of CUF, showcasing the major buildings and areas that make up this dynamic neighborhood. On the right in red, the campus takes up a large swath of the neighborhood land, and is surrounded by major roads. The homes radiate from the campus, and green space is interlaced relatively evenly through the community.
In 1870, Clifton Heights(CUF) was largely unoccupied, and was described as having “surpassing natural beauty”
It was impractical to live in CUF because of the large hills on the vicinity of the neighborhood
The neighborhood was gaining population since it was becoming within Cincinnati’s city limit
The instillation of inclines leading into CUF cultivated growth within the area
These inclines allowed for fast and efficient transportation for the working class people up and down the steep hills
This area above the hills was popular since there was less pollution from industry and sewage than in the basin
Many of the working class families down the hill started to move into the area, bringing about new schools, churches, and shopping areas
These families started to form the identity of CUF, with most people being working-class German-Americans
The first suburb of Cincinnati comprised of people who escaped poor living conditions in the basin, but upon the introduction of the university its trajectory was forever altered
Each year since 2010 UC has continued to admit record breaking numbers of students. Their aspirations continue to grow, despite concerns of physical and cultural strain being placed onto the rest of CUF
UC revisits their plan giving it updates. Discussing housing, their disregard towards the surrounding neighborhood is seen, as they consider a larger portion of its housing to be available for students’ use
The university begins partnerships to create community development corporations (CDCs). Clifton Heights Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation formed as lead implementation of Clifton Heights/ UC Joint Urban Renewal Plan
The university has defined its boundaries, imposing its skyline and footprint over CUF. Cultivating a master plan in 1989 cements University of Cincinnati’s vision
1915
University of Cincinnati finds prosperity. Needing more room to house a renowned research institution, UC begins expanding into the surrounding Burnet Woods park and Corryville neighborhood Good Samaritan Hospital also moves from downtown to CUF
In 1995 The University of Cincinnati from their main location just north of modern day OTR to its present location along Clifton Avenue
The Inclines nearby allowed for this change to be feasible, since students had easier access to the university
At this time UC was an addition to the community’s space not with the identity
As time passed, UC continued to expand out wards into Burnet Woods and Corryville , causing a dynamic shift within the neighborhood
This expansion begins a shift from UC being a small part of the neighborhood to becoming a large part of its identity
This constant expansion is indicative of UC’s future attitude towards neighborhood environments
In modern days, UC administration perceive all surrounding housing as housing for students, instead of an area where residents and students coexist
Students generally care less about the urban environment than permanent residents since they live here temporarily, leading to some decay in the area near the university
The central identity of the neighborhood has faded due to the large presence of students
Hughes High School moves up the hill to the corner of Clifton and Calhoun, following the university
1895
University of Cincinnati moves its campus up to CUF. The introduction of such a major institution creates a new dynamic within the neighborhood, bringing a large number of faculty and students to the existing working class identity
The Fairview Incline added to the movement started by the Bellevue Incline
1892-
1876-1926
The Bellevue Incline accelerated the migration into the early areas of CUF. People settled in CUF to escape the poor living conditions and industrial pollution of Downtown and Over-the-Rhine
1890’s
Twenty years later CUF is firmly established as a dense, residential neighborhood
1871
A newspaper article detailing the sale of lots of Burnet Woods at auction
“Clifton Heights is a term applied to the beautifully-rolling lands ... it requires no prophet to foresee a great future ... the place is now within the city limits, and each year is becoming more thickly populated.”
1870
Far from its beginnings as a neighborhood. Impressions today illustrate a distinctly new experience defined by the University of Cincinnati, with little similar to the 19th century foundation.
This Imageability map gives a more in-depth view of CUF than the Impression maps, and identifies common districts found in the neighborhood based on demographic and function. The most frequent districts are classified under two parameters; students, and permanent residents.
-Major Path
-Minor Path
-Car Dominated Path
-Major Edge
-Minor Edge
-Major Node
-Minor Node
-Major Landmark
-Minor Landmark
-Functional District
-Student Dominated District
-Traditional Residential District
-Park District
Being present on the streets during different times of the day the direction of people’s movement is felt to be in two distinct directions.
Close to UC people make short commutes but at a high density and people living in the periphery make trips outside CUF to other neighborhoods
The Rivers of CUF illustrates the narrative of the university’s influence over the rest of the neighborhood. Like rivers, the university carves its will into the landscape of CUF without much resistance; spreading its buildings and student body out to every fringe of the neighborhood.
Many of CUF’s houses are small and compact, indicative of the neighborhood’s rich history when the cheapest and most practical homes for working class people were these homes.
While the population is spread out relatively even among the six census tracts, the densest tract by far is Tract 30, which is where the University of Cincinnati is located, and where all the dormitories are. While CUF has a ton of housing units, there aren’t many residents per unit. Excluding Tract 30, the average person per unit in CUF is 2.3 This because the inundation of UC students means that there are barely any families; what replaces them are pairs of roomates.
CUF’s population is overwhelmingly young, with a little over falling between the ages of 15 to 29
While the population is spread out relatively even among the six census tracts, the densest tract by far is Tract 30, which is where the University of Cincinnati is located, and where all the dormitories are. While CUF has a ton of housing units, there aren’t many residents per unit. Excluding Tract 30, the average person per unit in CUF is 2.3. This because the inundation of UC students means that there are barely any families; what replaces them are pairs of roomates.
While the population is spread out relatively even among the six census tracts, the densest tract by far is Tract 30, which is where the University of Cincinnati is located, and where all the dormitories are. While CUF has a ton of housing units, there aren’t many residents per unit. Excluding Tract 30, the average person per unit in CUF is 2.3 This because the inundation of UC students means that there are barely any families; what replaces them are pairs of roomates.
The map and chart to the right show a stark contrast between density where the campus is and where the homes are, illustrating a neighborhood that has a sizable shift in feel where the campus is.
CUF’s population is overwhelmingly young, with a little over 77% of all residents falling between the ages of 15 to 29
CUF’s population is overwhelmingly young, with a little over 77% of all residents falling between the ages of 15 to 29
To the left, the graph shows the age distribution of CUF, where the curve skyrockets once it gets to the 15-29 years old range, showing that the majority of the neighborhoods makeup is students living where families use to live.
Percentage of housing that is occupied by renters, in green, totals 82.2% and owners, in orange, totals 17.3%. Given renters dominate the housing supply residents in CUF are constantly in-flux.
Dense housing supply was built at the time of CUF first being settled and that has lended itself to flexibility needed by UC students who are constantly leaving for co-ops and gradution.
ESRI Tapestry is an index defining the characteristic feel of places by zip code. As seen in blue, CUF has a strong presence influencing both zip codes to have a predominate College Town feel.
The extent of UC’s influence is codified. Shifting demographics are defined by number of residents enrolled in college who are becoming used to new responsibilities and seek variety and adventure.
Only 7.6% of CUF residents are employed within
Many residents work in neighborhoods adjacent to CUF
The map to the left gives data for code enforcement cases (trash, abandoned car, grass unkempt, etc.) for the last year for CUF. CUF has the 5th highest complaint rate in the city.
Of the 264 complaints, 170 of them were for Trash/Litter/Tall Grass. This percentage is the highest in the city.
The majority of the complaints are compiled in the residential dense areas of the neighborhood, revealing that the damage is being done closest to where people call home.
In this building footprints map, the duality of the building typologies can truly be appreciated. Large university, hospitals, and apartment complexes can be seen in stark contrast to the tightly packed row home streets and businesses. These sudden changes in morphology can cause barriers in the neighborhood fabric.
This map also illustrates the many parks of CUF, scattered throughout the residential cores, proving that one is never too far from a green space.
CUF’s land is dedicated to the campus, surrounding housing, and parks. This space provides an area for students and families to live comfortably. These areas are the foundations for a model neighborhood.
A fabric where existing framework was adopted and has lead to a unique combination of original elements and new developments centered on a growing university’s modern needs.
CUF is a highly connected neighborhood that accommodates for a variety of transportation modes. Major characteristics are the vehicle major roads that border the neighborhood that carry heavy traffic while being pedestrian borders and historic street grids that have smaller blocks and heavy pedestrian traffic.
Influence of new dynamics created by university students’ needs have increased activity at the border of the more historic area that has been lined with new business developments.
Legend
Intersection Density
High Density
Busy Density
Average Density
Low Density Local Connector
Road Types Walk Shed
Vehicle Major Road
Mixed Major Road Highway
221 Atkinson St, 15 mins
437 Ada St, 15 mins
606 Riddle Rd, 15 mins
Composed of various pockets formed from the competing dynamics of the neighborhood and university cores.
University Community Center
Traditional Residential
Neighborhood Community Center
Life for university students is increasingly encourage by new business and housing developments centered around the main campus of UC.
Characterized by large buildings mixed with residential apartments on top and business on the bottom and has heavy traffic of vehicles and people throughout the day.
This dynamic is an new experience within the fabric of CUF. Local businesses often have little place when big brand retail sees an opportunity to cater to students.
This place typology exhibits the typical residential cluster found in CUF; numerous single-family homes that are either old-school row homes or newer build detached houses.
It is in there areas where the permanent population and the student population meet, with tidier homes inhabited by families interlaced with shoddier rental properties that students reside in. There is never much consistency or tangible feel to the roads.
Residents of CUF value their neighborhood community centers, they are great places for residents to interact.
St. Monica’s has been a large community pillar since 1911, it’s often used for congregations and events.
A S.W.O.T. Analysis is an in-depth look at the landscape of a neighborhood, identifying the positives and negatives of the area, and helps guide community leaders and planners to create solutions to transform their neighborhoods for the better.
The Foundations of a Great Neighborhood
• Easy access to a variety of recreation areas, walking trails
• A well connected street grid compared to the majority of Cincinnati neighborhoods
• Apartments, and most single family units are compact row homes
• Home to several institutions that are major employment draw to the neighborhood
• A historic neighborhood
What Holds the Neighborhood Back, Both Physical Aspects and Social Aspects
• Arterial Roads that prioritize car traffic and carry traffic at high speeds
• Restricted access to early education in the neighborhood
• The small permanent population does not work in the neighborhood
• The student population spills in to the neighborhood
• Perception of neighborhood too reliant on the university
Potential Strengths
• All green spaces could be improved and added to
• Future BRT corridors will create quicker connections to downtown and the rest of uptown
• Large tracts of vacant land to develop on
• The presence of the university
Potential Weaknesses
• Physical expansion into the surrounding area by the university
• The university admitting more students
• Housing prices increasing as more students come into the neighborhood
that are direct results of the clashing typologies of the university and neighborhood.
UNSAFE ARTERIAL ROADS
EASE OF ACCESS TO GREEN SPACE
LARGE SWATHS OF VACANT LAND
MAJOR INSTITUTIONS
GROWING STUDENT POPULATION
HOUSING COSTS INCREASING
BEDROOM COMMUNITY
HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD
DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN SPACE UNIVERSITY PRESENCE
CAMPUS EXPANSION
LARGE STUDENT POPULATION
IDENTITY RELIANT ON UNIVERSITY
LIMITED EARLY EDUCATION ACCESS
FUTURE BRT CORRIDORS
MANY HOUSING UNITS
WELL CONNECTED
Facing problems that are unintentional consequences from a lack of central identity and major institutions’ influence.
Solutions to these issues can start to balance the neighborhood and university components.
Disconnect between association of “CUF”, the physical area, and the community
People do not stay in CUF long; moving away from UC after graduation or for long term jobs
Preschool to middle school education access is limited or outside the neighborhood
Heavy vehicle traffics creates large barriers for pedestrians and other modes of transportation
Landlords neglect property knowing demand will remain, and students do not view CUF as a home
Engaging Outdoor Learning Space
Designated Uses for Parks
More Shared-Use Paths
Bike Infastructure
Tree Canopy on Roads
Medians to Slow Down Car Traffic
Multi-Unit Housing on Vacant Land
Recycle Infastructure
Additional Preschool Capacity
Build a network of parks that provide varying amenities and a third place shared among all residents.
Fairview should have fields for a variety of use, small outlooks, and be accessible down the hill
Coy should serve as a local park with increased presentability and accessibility for people and improved athletic facilities
Bellevue should be a beautiful outlook with space for formal programs and light recreation that encourages pedestrian use
Burnet should be a natural escape with great pedestrian access and host light recreation and education opportunities.
1. Fairview Park 2. Coy Park 3. Bellevue Hill Park 4. Burnet Woods 1. 2. 3. 4.Comprehensive network should be created where each park fulfills a need, maintains ecological consideration for local ecosystems in cooperation with hillsides, and connected by parkways that allow for accessible transportation incorporated with nature.
Created parks that are beautiful amenities of the neighborhood will help increase the desirability of CUF for people looking to settle down as well as bolster its image making students feel inclined to preserve their homes.
This block redesign hopes to bridge the social gap between the permanent and student population. At the heart of this redevelopment is a new annex to the Arlitt Child Development Center; allowing a premier university-only amenity to be available to families of the area with young children.
A new mixed-use building caters to both the needs of the permanent community and the university; with new housing units for an ever-increasing student population, while, on the ground floor, providing essential businesses currently absent from the neighborhood.
And for the safety of all residents, slip lanes have been removed from Jefferson Avenue and pedestrian islands installed at the crosswalks, for a dramatic improvement of pedestrian safety when crossing the road.
vacant lots and underutilized land into mutimodal spaces that cater to all community members.
3 story schoolhouse
36 new classrooms
5 story mixed-use building
80 units in building
10 two-family houses
100 new housing units
105 feet: width of new Jefferson crossing
150 feet: Width of Jefferson crossing before
Value its residents, increasing safety and connectivity within the neighborhood and beyond, reshaping the streets’ profile.
The bike lane combined with a tree barrier provide comfort and accessibility around the MLK car oriented area
Implementation across MLK
Pedestrian Sidewalk Tree Barrier
BRT Station BRT Lane Car Lane Car Parking
Jefferson Avenue provides safe and comfortable areas for pedestrians
Roadside Bioswale
CUF stands at a very unique crossroads in its history. The foundation built by first residents is still instilled into the area; with its buildings, homes, and park space. The foundation for a model neighborhood is there, with a walkable street grid, and an abundance of shops within a short distance. The future for this model foundation lies within its largest surrounding institutions.
The University of Cincinnati, with its ginormous footprint, undeniably has the power to single-handedly shape the neighborhood for decades. The relationship between the university, specifically its students it brings to the neighborhood, must work with its permanent community members to unlock the best path for CUF moving into the future.
Proposals like the ones displayed in this booklet are prime examples of ways that CUF can be made a place that is best for both permanent families and students. Despite how different they may seem, there are aspects of community they both need, regardless of demographics.
Something as simple as the Venn Diagram is the perfect symbol to represent the pathway forward for CUF: two groups independent of each other that find common ground, to accomplish what’s best for both.
“Tanks for Visiting!”