City Dweller

Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth is the alderwoman of Chicago's 48th ward, which includes parts of Andersonville, Edgewater, and Uptown. She was elected in May 2023. Prior to taking office, Leni was a longtime local small-business owner and community organizer in the ward, where she has lived for over 20 years.

Erik Bootsma has a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture. He is a registered architect in the state of Virginia and has been in private practice since 2014, focusing on ecclesiastical architecture. Erik is interested in the role that architecture and urban design play in urbanism.

Rishab Mehan is the Director of Development Planning at the Chicago Housing Authority. His main priorities are working with and for communities in Cabrini-Green and along South State Street to plan and implement redevelopments on underutilized public land. Rishab previously worked as a housing policy planner in Toronto.

Mark Richardson is the Chief Technology Officer at Rich Analytics. He is also the Founder and Technical Lead of the HousingNowTO.com affordable-housing tracking and transparency project.

Nicole Rodriguez is the President of the board of Urban Phoenix Project, an organization that is working to create a more livable city where people can comfortably walk, bike, take transit, and enjoy quality urban spaces. She has a varied background in urban planning, urban forestry and sustainability.

Rachel Aldred is a Professor of Transport at the University of Westminster and Director of the University's Active Travel Academy. Her research focuses on sustainable mobilities and especially active transport.

Lauren Viera is a professional writer and communications consultant with over 25 years of experience. She loves Chicago so much that she wrote a book called The 500 Hidden Secrets of Chicago.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden is the first Black, queer woman elected to the Chicago City Council. She represents the 49th Ward, sometimes called "Little Chicago," because of the racial, ethnic, and economic demographics that most reflect Chicago's diversity. Maria has a background in community organizing and participatory democracy.

Molly Fleck lives in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood with her husband and son. She serves on the Sheffield Neighborhood Association’s Board of Directors and Oscar Mayer Magnet School’s Local School Council. You will often find Molly riding her bike around Chicago.

Sammy Schneider is an architect, and Steven Vance is an urban planner. They both live in Chicago and are members of Urban Environmentalists, an organization that advocates for cities and towns with abundant housing, work and play only a short bike or transit ride away; safe and independent mobility for all; lively and green public spaces; clean air and water; and affordability for all who wish to live there. The opinions that they express in this interview are their own and not those of Urban Environmentalists.