Four Degrees to the Streets

Happy Black History Month! Places and spaces that are accessible for people to be physically active directly impact health, wellness, and quality of life, as discussed in our last episode, where we used the Atlanta Beltline as a case study. This week, the hosts are joined by the founders of Free Flo Fit, Shontia Walton and Adaeze Medani, a non-profit organization making health and fitness more affordable, inclusive, and accessible for the minority community. Based in Seattle, WA, Shontia and Adaeze share their expertise on fitness and physical fitness challenges in public spaces for Black residents. Press play to hear: 

• A breakdown of health data on the leading cause of death by race 
• The story of how Free Flo Fit became an organization and its impact on the community
• Reflections from Free Flo Fit founders and hosts on the “why” behind their fitness journey

Thank you for listening and tune in every other Tuesday where Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Or send us an email to connect with us!

RESOURCES

Leading Causes of Death, Males and Females - Health Equity - CDC

Adult Physical Inactivity Prevalence Maps by Race/Ethnicity | CDC

Equitable and Inclusive Access | Active People, Healthy Nation | Physical Activity | CDC

The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” To kick off our health and wellness theme for Black History Month, Nimo & Jas use the Atlanta Beltline Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as a case study. The primary goals of the Beltline include more parks, trails, transit, and redevelopment. Lack of access to these can lead to adverse health outcomes like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other physical, mental, and social health challenges. How is the Beltline impacting health and economic equity in the Atlanta area, and what does that say about how Black residents access public spaces that promote a healthy lifestyle? And the policies and practices that mold these experiences. Press play to hear: 

• An overview of the health impact assessment tool and the steps to complete it 
• Discussion on the goals and policies of the Atlanta Beltline and HIA findings
• Status and impact of the Beltline present-day, with an emphasis on affordable housing

Thank you for listening and tune in every other Tuesday where Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Or send us an email to connect with us!

RESOURCES

Beltline Health Impact Assessment

Health Impact Assessment | The Pew Charitable Trusts

Atlanta BeltLine Design and Construction Updates: August 2021 // Atlanta Beltline

Atlanta BeltLine Investment Data Explorer

Sustainable for Whom? Green Urban Development, Environmental Gentrification, and the Atlanta Beltline

Longtime Beltline residents should act fast to get property tax break - Atlanta Civic Circle

Last season, we released an episode about how to make community engagement work for you. This week, Nimo and Jas had the opportunity to sit down with Julia (she/her), a Seattle-based community planner, to discuss the research question that she answered in a year-long project in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic: how block parties can be used as an empowerment tool to positively affect civic engagement for the Black community? Press play to hear: 

• Reflections on the current state of local community engagement with Black residents 
• Resources for planners to use when acknowledging historical mistrust of urban planning in Black neighborhoods, specifically The BlackSpace Manifesto

To connect with Julia and learn more about the Bl*ck Empowerment Party, connect with her on LinkedIn!

Thank you for listening and tune in every other Tuesday where Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Or send us an email to connect with us!

RESOURCES

Bl*ck Empowerment Party Re-Envisioning Zine

YouTube: Bl*ck Empowerment Party: Reimagining Outreach & Engagement Best Practices

The BlackSpace Manifesto

Happy New Year! We hope you all enjoyed the holidays. Welcome to 2023! 

It’s often challenging to define urban planning when there are numerous types and approaches to planning. Although, the approach most likely to succeed includes as many elements as needed. Urban planning in local government is usually centered around a document known as a master plan, a blueprint for the future while examining existing and proposed uses. Press play to hear: 

• An overview of what master planning includes
• How can the public get involved, and how can the process better meet community needs

Thank you for listening and tune in every other Tuesday where Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Or send us an email to connect with us!

RESOURCES

Standard State Zoning Enabling Act and Standard City Planning Enabling Act

What Are Master Planned Communities? | Planetizen Planopedia

What is a master plan?

California the California Government Code Title 7 Chapter 3 

General Plan Overview | Los Angeles City Planning

The topic of inflation is in the news daily. As the cost of consumer goods increases, this impacts household spending and, more broadly, the cost of living. Location matters when measuring the cost of living because it is subjective, unlike inflation, which measures change over a period of time. In this episode, Nimo and Jas explore what matters most when deciding where to live and how much it costs. Press play to hear:

• Methodology discussion on RentCafe.com report: The Best Places to Live in for Renters in 2022
• History and definitions of “cost of living” measurements
• Net migration in the last decade and personal experiences in different cities 

Thank you for listening and tune in every other Tuesday where Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Or send us an email to connect with us!

RESOURCES

The Best Places to Live in for Renters in 2022

What Does 'Cost of Living' Really Mean and Why Does it Vary By State?

Annual Average 2021 Cost of Living Index Released

Housing + Transportation Fact Sheets

Net Domestic Migration Increased in Many U.S. Counties in 2021

The Importance of the Cost of Living and Policies to Address It

Welcome to season three of the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast! We’re excited to be back to continue delivering relatable and informative episodes this year. Make sure to watch this full recording on our YouTube channel. In this episode, Nimo & Jas break down what work, workplaces, and the workforce look like almost three years after the COVID-19 pandemic sent many industries home and out of the traditional office building setting. Press play to hear: 

• A comparison of central business districts before and after 2020, including office occupancy rates.
• Case studies of cities that experienced population growth and decline.
• Reflections on long-term changes to downtown areas.

Special thanks to WTF Media Studios in Los Angeles, CA. And Creative Producer Jonny Cruz for our Season 3 promotional video. 

Thank you for listening and tune in every other Tuesday where Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Or send us an email to connect with us!

RESOURCES:

As Remote Work Persists, Cities Struggle to Adapt - The Pew Charitable Trusts

Why Working From Home Will Stick - University of Chicago 

The Future of Hybrid Work: 5 Key Questions Answered With Data

Big Population Shifts in Cities and Towns One Year Into Pandemic

Georgetown sales tax revenue continues to climb despite COVID-19

Which metro areas have fared better in the COVID-19 rebound?

Cities in a post-COVID world - Richard Florida, Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, Michael Storper, 2021

Gateway & Natural Amenity Region (GNAR) Initiative

From Los Angeles to New York, Underused Office Buildings Become Apartments Amid Housing Shortage 

JLL US Office Outlook

That’s a wrap! Thank you to all of our listeners for a great second season. We will be back for season three this fall. In this season finale, Nimo and Jas dig into emerging programs in the urban planning and development space. Specifically, the topic and pilot programs related to Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) in the transportation field and Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund launched in 2021. Arguably, both programs aim to make communities better, but does the mission align with the execution? Press play to hear:

• Bloomberg defines Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) as a system of partnerships or policies that provide a minimum level of mobility to all members of society. Learn more about two current UBM pilots in Pittsburg, PA, and Oakland, CA.
• The Amazon Housing Equity Fund includes $2 billion in grants, loans, and lines of credit to developers, public agencies, and non-profit organizations to build or preserve affordable housing. Find out what progress is being made in Amazon’s corporate regions: Seattle, WA; Arlington, VA; and Nashville, TN.
• A brief recap of Nimo and Jas’ favorite moments from season two.

Thank you for listening and tune in every other Tuesday where Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Subscribe or send us an email to connect with us!

RESOURCES

Bloomberg: Like Basic Income, But for Transportation

Pittsburgh Launches Innovative Mobility and Equity Initiatives Move PGH and Universal Basic Mobility

City of Pittsburgh launches mobility as a service, Universal Basic Mobility pilot

Oakland Universal Basic Mobility Pilot

Note: Oakland Pilot Evaluation was published on March 16, post episode recording

Whim App

Transportation Economic Trends: Transportation Spending - Average Household

Washington Housing Conservancy's First Acquisition of Arlington's 'Crystal House' Honored with 2021 Housing Achievement Award  

In honor of Women’s History Month, we dedicate this episode to the authentic experiences of people who identify as women in public space and the built environment. Planners of all gender identities have a responsibility to create spaces that are safe and accessible for all users. Women are often underrepresented in the fields responsible for these conditions. Such as planning, architecture, and engineering. Nimo and Jas interviewed two fellow black women on how they engage with public space and their choices as they navigate the world every day. First, Melanie Brooks, mother, Oakland, CA native, and current resident working in public administration. And Tabia Gamble, a young transportation professional living in Baltimore city. Press play to hear:

• What transportation mode feels safe depending on the time of day or ridership volume
• Considerations for personal safety and property when making routine trips due to increased crime during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Training tools and resources for practitioners, such as UN Women’s free online course titled Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Infrastructure

Thank you for listening and tune in every other Tuesday where Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Subscribe or send us an email to connect with us!

RESOURCES: 

Narratives of Marginalized Cyclist: Understanding obstacles to utilitarian cycling among women and minorities in Portland, OR

Unsafe and Harassed in Public Spaces

Breaking Barriers to Bike Share: Insights from Residents of Traditionally Underserved Neighborhoods

Benefits of gender equality through infrastructure provision: an EU-wide survey

SustainABLE UNOPS

Feminist City: A Field Guide | Environment & Urbanization

Infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women

https://sustainable-infrastructure-tools.org/gender-responsive-infrastructure/

Gender-Responsive Infrastructure

This week, Nimo and Jas sat down with Charles T. Brown, Founder and CEO of Equitable Cities. A minority- and veteran-owned urban planning, public policy, and research firm focused at the intersection of transportation, health, and equity. Charles is internationally known for his research and advocacy on barriers to access in transportation and the built environment for racialized minorities, women, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. This episode discusses his recent theory, Arrested Mobility, which explores the legal and illegal policies and practices that limit mobility for Black and Brown populations, some of which through violence and over-policing. 

Check out the Arrested Mobility Podcast hosted by Charles T. Brown for additional listening.

Thank you for listening and tune in every other Tuesday where Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Subscribe or send us an email to connect with us!

“Reimagine 911.” A common call-to-action in the movement following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Since then, many local governments have begun to assess their policing systems, gun violence, investments in public safety, and public health and human services. Traditionally, only Police and Fire/EMS have been available to respond in-person to a person in crisis on a 24/7 basis, but that is changing. This week, we have a special guest, Dan Kornfield, Executive Director of Dignity Best Practices (DBP). DBP helps local governments improve their practices at the intersections of Public Safety and Public Health. Press play to hear:

• How Dignity Best Practices assists cities in building effective and fitting 24/7 responses for people in behavioral health crises
• Current and emerging practices in alternatives to police responses 
• What you can do to influence changes in emergency responses to serve vulnerable populations better

Thank you for listening and tune in every other Tuesday where Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Subscribe or send us an email to connect with us!