The ICA operates from the understanding that communities are the key to social change. Initially the ICA created a comprehensive development demonstration in Fifth City, the model of which it took around the world in the 1970s. When ICA moved to its headquarters in Uptown in 1972, the Uptown community became a demonstration project as well. In the 1980s community forums were held in 50 Chicago communities in the Standing Tall in the ’80s Program.
Similarly, Climate Action Forums have been conducted in Denver and other locations around the US.