Located along the banks of the Waupaca River in east central Wisconsin, the City of Waupaca is a rural community with a population of 6,282 that encompasses 7.92 square miles. The city’s highlighted features include the Chain O’Lakes Hartman Creek State Park, and an award-winning historic Main Street. Residents and businesses are drawn to Waupaca for the city’s affordable housing, quality education, vibrant arts community, and outdoor recreation.
Waupaca applied to UniverCity for the years 2023-26 to move forward on big ideas that require additional time and technical capacity. The city plans to address issues like land use planning, street design, childcare, and the environment.
1. Evaluating green technologies in City of Waupaca operations. Civil and Environmental Engineering 421: Environmental Sustainability Engineering. Andrea Hicks.
2. Creating an environmental sustainability plan. Environmental Studies 600: Environmental Studies Capstone. Kim Wahl.
3. Envisioning a river restoration along the Crystal River in Waupaca. Environmental Studies 972: Conservation Planning. Arlyne Johnson and Nathan Schulfer.
1. Designing an integrated and accessible Waupaca River Walk. Planning and Landscape Architecture 611: Senior Project in Landscape Architecture Studio – Capstone. Eric Schuchardt.
2. Strengthening city services for a growing Spanish-speaking population in Waupaca. UniverCity Alliance Scholars Program: Independent Student Research. Amy Gangl.
3. Promoting language accessibility and social connections with Spanish-speaking residents. UniverCity Alliance Scholars Program: Independent Student Research. Amy Gangl.
4. Evaluating feasibility and benefits of removing the Felt Mill Dam. Civil and Environmental Engineering 578: Senior Capstone Design. Jan Kucher, Derek Hungness, and Kim Gonzalez.
5. Story mapping to envision the future of the Felt Mill Dam. Environmental Studies 978: Environmental Conservation Tools Modules. Ed Boswell.
6. Evaluating feasibility and benefits of removing the Light Plant Dam. Civil and Environmental Engineering 578: Senior Capstone Design. Jan Kucher, Derek Hungness, and Kim Gonzalez.
7. Maximizing economic development through the Waupaca Recreation Center expansion project. Bolz Center for Arts Administration. John Surdyk and Aaron Thielen.
1. Developing a continuity of governance plan. Interdisciplinary Engineering 303: Applied Leadership Competencies in Engineering. Angela Kita.