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Problem, research strategy, and findings: People older than 65 are the most rapidly growing segment of the U.S. population, yet our cities and transportation systems are not age friendly. Low-income, minority, older adults residing in inner-city neighborhoods are largely transit dependent, rely significantly on walking for transportation, and thus have particular mobility needs. We used a mixed-methods approach that drew information from the California Household Travel Survey but also from direct interaction (through focus groups, interviews, and neighborhood walking audits) with 81 low-income, inner city–living older adults to understand their travel patterns and mobility challenges and needs. We find that despite some positive mobility indicators in the inner city (mixed-use environment, frequent bus service, and short travel distances), these elders face significant mobility challenges because of a deteriorated built environment, heavy traffic, homelessness, and crime. A limitation of this research is that the small sample did not allow the study of possible gender or race/ethnicity differentiation in the travel patterns and needs of older adults. Takeaway for practice: Planners should not rely only on information from the census and other aggregate data sources to understand the mobility needs of older adults but should complement this information with direct interaction with the communities for which they are planning. Although some social problems limiting the mobility of older adults are difficult to tackle, environmental and streetscape improvements can significantly enhance their mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent scholarship suggests that the urban design profession is flourishing with many newly created urban design departments, programmes and certificates. Within this context, this paper suggests that urban design education should explore how urban designers can acquire a deeper understanding of the larger socio-economic processes which have an impact on urban form and different groups in the city. More specifically, it posits that urban designers should take notice of the informal urbanism that is burgeoning in many cities of the Global North. For this to happen, urban design pedagogy should prepare future urban designers to better understand and positively intervene in informal urban landscapes, and the urban design studio is an appropriate venue where this can happen. The paper articulates a four-tier framework of responding to informal urbanism through urban design that concentrates on the scope, context, process and practice of urban design. It details a graduate urban design studio that followed this framework to offer spatial solutions and accommodation of street vending in one Los Angeles inner city neighbourhood. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Problem, research strategy, and findings:Parks provide important physiological and psychological benefi ts to seniors, improving their quality of life; they are particularly important for low-income, inner-city seniors who lack access to open and green space. However, seniors do not often use parks partly because park design and programming are not responsive to their diverse needs and values. To identify what low-income, inner-city seniors seek and value in neighborhood parks, and to provide guidance to planners on how to better design senior-friendly parks, we conducted a literature review and held focus groups with 39 low-income, ethnically diverse seniors in an inner-city neighborhood in Los Angeles (CA). We asked these seniors about their preferences as well as the challenges and barriers they encounter in using neighborhood parks. Seniors report many impediments to park use; they are not provided appropriate programming that allows opportunities for socializing, safety, and security within the park and along access routes; opportunities for exercise and walking; and aesthetic and natural elements that provide contact with nature. Takeaway for practice:Park planners and designers should seek to incorporate senior voices in park design and programming in four ways by developing appropriate programming sensitive to diverse needs, accommodating the desire for “seniors-only” parks, promoting security and safety in the park and along access routes, and offering open and green space. We also fi nd the need for additional research on seniors from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although informality is typically associated with developing countries, this article argues that informal activities are an integral part of U.S. cities and should be addressed in planning curricula. It focuses on planning education and suggests a possible course, which includes a seminar covering academic literature on informality in both developing and developed countries, and fieldwork-based, case study research by students. It also suggests that the course can be an important avenue for students to understand inequality and poverty and an excellent method for preparing them to think about institutions and regulations in complex and sophisticated ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem, research strategy, and findings: College campuses are multimodal settings with very high levels of walking and biking in conjunction with high levels of vehicular traffic, which increases risks for bicyclists and pedestrians. In this study, we examine crash data (both police reported and self-reported) and urban form data from three U.S. campuses to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of crashes on the campuses and their immediate periphery. To account for underreporting of pedestrian and bicycle crashes, we developed and circulated an online survey, which helped identify collision hotspots across the three campuses. We then studied these locations to determine their characteristics, generate a typology of campus danger zones, and recommend design and policy changes that could improve pedestrian and cycling safety. We find a significant underreporting of crashes, and unequal spatial and temporal distributions of campus crashes. We identify three particular types of danger zones for pedestrians and cyclists: campus activity hubs, campus access hubs, and through traffic hubs. Injuries tended to be more serious for those crashes taking place on campus peripheries. Takeaway for practice: The intermingling of motorized and non-motorized modes creates significant opportunities for crashes. Planners should be aware of the existing underreporting and give special attention to the three types of danger zones. In addition to the recommendations of the literature for the creation of campus master plans for walking and biking, campuses should conduct safety audits and surveys to identify hotspots and consider specific design improvements for each of the three danger zones to lessen modal conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the relationship between women's fear of crime and public space has been the focus of considerable research, transit environments have received less attention. This study examines women's safety in transit environments through a comprehensive review of the literature and in-depth interviews with representatives of 16 national women's interest groups in the United States. It finds that women have distinct safety/security needs, are often fearful of certain transit environments and frequently adjust their behaviour and travel patterns to avoid them. This is particularly true for certain groups of women who feel more vulnerable to victimization and harassment than others. The women interviewed outlined design, policing, security technology and education/outreach strategies that would make women riders feel safer in transit settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High speed rail (HSR) is planned for California and other US states, but there is a significant lack of knowledge regarding the urban development impacts that HSR systems have had in other parts of the world. The study identifies the important preconditions for positive development around HSR stations, the most important positive and negative effects of such development, and extracts lessons for California. From a Delphi survey of twenty-seven experts, we found that the impacts of HSR on the urban development of adjacent station areas differ depending on the context and circumstances. A number of preconditions should be in place for positive development to happen, such as careful choice of station location, an urban design vision for the station area, a transportation plan that links the station to other modes, supportive land-use policies and zoning regulations, and processes that help create broad interest coalitions and elicit community support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many ethnic inner city neighborhoods in US cities are rich in traditions, history, art, and cuisine but are also suffering from disinvestment, high poverty rates, and deterioration. In the face of a growing popularity of cultural tourism, an opportunity exists to explore how neighborhood cultural assets can be used to promote economic development in such neighborhoods. In this study we draw information from a literature review, surveys of merchants and cultural institutions in four ethnic neighborhoods of Los Angeles, and analysis of the characteristics and impact of existing cultural tourism programs in seven US cities to discuss the opportunities and challenges of using cultural tourism as an economic development strategy in ethnic inner city neighborhoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past research has shown that transit passengers' fears and concerns about safety influence their travel decisions. While the relationship between women's fear of crime and public space has been the focus of considerable research, transit environments—which are especially threatening to female passengers—have received much less attention. This study examines the issue of women's safety on transit through a survey of U.S. transit operators. The findings show that most respondents believe women have distinct safety and security needs, but most do not think agencies should put specific programs into place to address these needs. In addition, only a handful of agencies currently have programs that target the safety and security needs of women. This survey suggests that there is a significant mismatch between the safety and security needs and desires of female passengers and the types and locations of strategies that transit agencies use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent high profile rail terrorism attacks have emphasized the need for increased public transit security. Rail transit systems are vulnerable to terrorist attacks because they are very public in nature and carry large concentrations of people. In many cities, rail systems are essential to the economic well-being of the community. Transit designers and planners are increasingly attempting to adopt station design and operation strategies that will discourage terrorist attacks, mitigate the effects of an attack, and facilitate rapid recovery of service. This paper examines evidence provided by four cases of rail terrorism incidents in London, New York, Tokyo, and Paris. These incidents have different characteristics in terms of the attack, the response, and the nature of the injuries. Inferences are drawn on the design elements that contributed to the response and recovery from the attacks. Additionally, vulnerabilities are identified and strategies to reduce them are presented. Designing stations and rolling stock to deter terrorism can be an effective tool to divert attacks to more vulnerable but less important targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal governments around the globe increasingly turn to museums, performing arts centers, arts districts, and other cultural activities to promote and revitalize their cities. While a significant body of literature examines revitalization strategies that focus primarily around entertainment and commerce, the empirical body of research that specifically investigates the role of cultural strategies in urban redevelopment is still growing. This paper first discusses the development of municipal cultural strategies in the United States, and draws from the literature to outline the characteristics of three different models of such strategies. Second, the paper presents findings from a national survey distributed to municipal agencies involved in the promotion and development of cultural activities and facilities in large and medium-sized US cities. The survey data indicate that although most agencies are guided by a varied set of goals, entrepreneurial objectives continue to guide the development and support of cultural activities in most cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the implementation of post-disaster US federal assistance programmes for residential reconstruction and investigates the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics of places and access to residential assistance following the Northridge earthquake that hit Los Angeles in 1994. The paper also examines the effects of the distribution of assistance on long-term recovery outcomes. Findings suggest that areas with high levels of socially marginalised populations were at a disadvantage in accessing federal residential assistance. Findings also show that the long-term effects of the earthquake differed depending on levels of assistance relative to damage. Areas that received less assistance experienced losses in population and housing units. These findings indicate that post-disaster recovery programmes in the US do not adequately address the wide range of housing needs that emerge in the case of a major disaster in a large metropolitan area. Implications for post-disaster planning as well as for planning under everyday conditions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is there an open space inequity in Los Angeles? Are the physical and qualitative characteristics of inner-city parks different from suburban parks? Are park uses and perceptions, and level of satisfaction with parks different for inner city and suburban children? This study addresses the above questions by examining the allocation of neighbourhood parks in Los Angeles. It compares the provision and quality of park facilities, as well as the level of satisfaction of children users in both the inner city and the suburban neighbourhoods of San Fernando Valley. More specifically, the study uses GIS technology to map the distribution and facilities of parks and the open space needs of neighbourhoods in which they are located. Observations, interviews and surveys are also employed to study in detail eight case studies of parks (four in each area) and the needs and preferences of children users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the experiences of a Los Angeles inner-city neighbourhood in its attempt for revitalization. The authors headed a Community–University Partnership and worked with graduate students to offer technical support to a neighbourhood-based coalition. The students, local residents, merchants and neighbourhood institutions attempted to follow an asset-based consensus building approach to community development. The article describes the different components of their strategy for physical, economic, cultural and social revitalization, and analyzes the lessons learned from the successes and setbacks of this effort. Finally, the authors discuss some apparent limitations of the asset-based consensus approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes the effects of built environment on crime at bus stops in Los Angeles, California. Spatial characteristics of crime settings; Relation between environment and crime; Impact on crime of environmental characteristics.

The paper examines the Blue Line corridor, a 22-mile rail transportation route that connects downtown Los Angeles to downtown Long Beach. The line passes through some of the most neglected and poorest communities in Los Angeles County. Despite initial rhetoric by rail advocates and local politicians the line has not succeeded in improving the economic environment of adjacent communities. In this paper we use the Blue Line as a case-study in an effort to understand the real and perceived barriers to growth around inner city station areas. Based on information gathered through a series of interviews with politicians, planners, community leaders and transportation experts, and site analysis data from extensive field-work, we identify the 'missing antecedents' for neighbourhood development around inner city station areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the commercial strips of the American inner city, many of which are currently characterized by major decay and disinvestment. After a brief historic overview of the evolution and decay of inner-city commercial strips, the article turns to fieldwork research. The study uses case studies from Los Angeles for an assessment of the current economic environment of inner-city strips. Drawing in formation from surveys of inner-city residents and merchants along three corridors and focus group research with merchants along a fourth corridor, the article reports the perils and potential of business development along the strips and outlines suggestions for economic improvement and community development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes a close look at the representations of social, economic, and physical polarization in global cities. After reviewing therelevant literature, we turn to an empirical study of down workers in Los Angeles to examine if polarization is reflected in their patterns of use and move and their images and perceptions of downtown space. We report the results of a survey with groups of downtown workers (corporate workers, street vendors, and merchants along an 'ethnic' downtown street). The survey investigates the images, meanings, and everyday practices of distinct worker cultures within the downtown space. Our survey debunks the images homogeneous or a dichotomous downtown, but finds instead a more complex pattern of differentiation among worker groups, identified not only in economic or social, but also in spatial, psychological and perceptual terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the question of whether crime is a barrier to active living and if it is, what can be done about it? The authors introduce a theoretical model that addresses how crime might influence physical activity behavior. The core components of the model are: situational characteristics, crime and disorder, fear of crime or disorder, and physical activity. These variables are thought to be moderated through psychological, demographic, environmental and other factors. Research questions that derive from the model are featured.