Background

The University of Southern California (USC) has faced longstanding tensions with surrounding communities due to gentrification. In response, USC invested $700 million to develop “USC Village,” a mixed-use complex with dorms, restaurants, and shops like Trader Joe’s. Though intended to serve both students and locals, restricted access after 9 p.m. for non-students left many residents feeling excluded, ultimately undermining efforts to bridge the social divide.

My approach

To ease tensions from gentrification around USC, I proposed activating the nearby Exposition Rose Garden—a once-vibrant community space now underused. My plan recommends replacing the central fountain with a performance platform for weekly concerts by USC Thornton students, featuring music that resonates with the predominantly Latinx local community, fostering connection through shared cultural experiences.