Zeynep Toker, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Urban Studies and Planning Department, California State University, Northridge

University-Community Partnerships for Environmental Justice:

An example from the San Fernando Valley

1. Background: Community design

2. Courses: URBS 440, 450, 490C

3. Projects:

1. Pacoima Mixed Use

2. Pacoima Open Space

3. Walkability around San Fernando High School

4. Pacoima Wash

4. Benefits

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models of community design

alinsky model consensus organizing model

• mobilizes communities

• assumption: people could be rallied

in defense of their immediate

interests

• seeks to establish partnerships

between private and public sector

leaders and community groups

1 2

advocacy planning

• advocates disadvantaged groups as

its recognized social responsibility

• community design centers

• community design centers

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Project 1

Pacoima Mixed use

Community partner

Pacoima Beautiful

Community Design Program

Project 2

Pacoima open space

Project 3

Walkability around

San Fernando High

School

Project 4

Pacoima Wash

Community partner

Pacoima Beautiful

Community partner

San Fernando High

School and Youth

Speak!

Community partner

Pacoima Beautiful

Community Design Program

Los Angeles River and its 834 square mile watershed

www.enviroreporter.com

http://www.raisingcalifornia.net

http://cdnassets.hw.net

CSUN

2008 20091

2010

20092

Community Design Program

2008

Project 1 Pacoima Mixed use Community Design Program

(number of respondents: 339)

INTERVIEWS

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP APRIL 26TH, 2008

(number of participants: 35)

Project 1 Pacoima Mixed use Community Design Program

Time spent outside of work and home was to: •85% shopping (31% P -79%) •83.8% meet with friends •77% restaurants (51% P -49%) •68.4% going to movies (13% P -87%) •51.3% meet with neighbors

INTERVIEW OUTCOMES (N=339)

preserve in their neighborhood:

•36.9% community •14.8% quietness/tranquility

add to their neighborhood:

•25.4% places to shop •20.8% parks/green spaces •6.5% places to accommodate kids’ activities

remove from their neighborhood:

•36% crime related problems •32.4% environmental pollution related problems

Project 1 Pacoima Mixed use Community Design Program

•Environmental pollution problems: 19

•Crime related problems: 13

•The necessity for developing areas for kids’ activities: 12

•The need for more park/ green space: 10

•The need to improve streets: 8

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP OUTCOMES (N=35)

Project 1 Pacoima Mixed use Community Design Program

Project 1 Pacoima Mixed use Community Design Program

2009

Project 2 Pacoima Open Space Community Design Program

with Dr. Pontikis – Interior Design Program

urban

analysis

LAND USE

STREETSCAPE

ACTIVITY NODES OPEN SPACE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

STREET HIERARCHY

PUBLIC TRANSIT ROUTES

AND STOPS

SIDEWALK AND CROSSWALK

QUALITY MAP

Project 2 Pacoima Open Space Community Design Program

(number of respondents: 158)

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP APRIL 26TH, 2009

INTERVIEWS

(number of participants: 33)

Project 2 Pacoima Open Space Community Design Program

DESIGN GAME OUTCOMES (N=33) INTERACTIVE DISPLAY OUTCOMES (N=33)

INTERVIEW OUTCOMES (N=158)

Project 2 Pacoima Open Space Community Design Program

Project 2 Pacoima Open Space Community Design Program

2010

Project 3 Walkability around San Fernando High School Community Design Program

Project 3 Walkability around San Fernando High School Community Design Program

urban

analysis

COGNITIVE MAPPING IN SAN FERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL (N=391)

Project 3 Walkability around San Fernando High School Community Design Program

1. Make the street SAFE for pedestrians to walk: a. Protect pedestrians from high speed traffic while walking on the sidewalk b. Use traffic calming measures to enforce the target speed limit c. Protect pedestrians while crossing the street d. Protect pedestrians from pollution

2. Make the streets PLEASANT for pedestrians to walk: a. Make the streetscape configuration human scale b. Make the perceptual complexity of the streets high enough c. Make the sidewalks accommodating of pedestrians’ stationary activity d. Make the sidewalks foster coincidental interaction and socialization e. Make the sidewalks comfortable for pedestrians in different weather

conditions

3. Make streets EASY to walk: a. Make the streets accessible according to ADA requirements b. Maintain the proper width of the walkable area without obstacles along the

sidewalk c. Bring the surface of the sidewalk up to acceptable standards d. Maintain the length of the blocks walkable with frequent connections

WALKABLE STREETS AROUND SAN FERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL

Project 3 Walkability around San Fernando High School Community Design Program

Project 3 Walkability around San Fernando High School Community Design Program

Pacoima Wash Walking Tour and Mobile Workshop (October 24, 2009) Number of participants: 60 Organized by Pacoima Beautiful Funded by Los Angeles County, Department of Public Health, Policies for Livable active Community and Environments (PLACE) Program

USER PREFERENCE DIAGRAM

2008 + 2009 + 2009walking + 2010

Project 4 Pacoima Wash Community Design Program

Community Design Program Project 4 Pacoima Wash

Community Design Program Project 4 Pacoima Wash

Projects: 1. Pacoima Mixed Use

2. Pacoima Open Space

3. Walkability around San Fernando High School

4. Pacoima Wash

Benefits: 1. Benefits to the students

1. Academic success (learning by doing)

2. Sense of civic engagement (social responsibility)

3. Hands-on experience (preparation for professional work)

4. Reports for portfolios

2. Benefits to the community

1. Addressing a local problem with community members’ involvement

2. Having their voices heard

3. Having documentation of the problem and their involvement for further action

3. Benefits to the academic unit

1. Strengthening local partnerships

2. Attracting future students

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