Hyde Park Today

In recent years, the areas around central Hyde Park including Woodlawn, North Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park and Bronzeville have experienced a renaissance of growth and development. Land which had lain empty in these areas and throughout Hyde Park is being developed with new residential and business construction. Fine older homes have been rehabilitated. Racial dividing lines have become fluid or transparent, though growing economic inequality across Chicago and the country still plays a role in the inaccessibility of housing in Hyde Park. The University of Chicago continues to expand, with new hospital, research, academic, athletic and dormitory buildings having been completed or initiated in recent years. Community groups continue to serve as watchdogs for social and physical developments in the area, to assure that community input is received and respected.