ASSIGNMENT
Part I: Do Some Research
You will select an urban neighborhood with which you are extremely familiar, preferably one you have visited a few times. In addition to your own experience with this urban neighborhood, you may also use Google Earth or Google Street View to analyze the location.
Using course content and three outside sources, you will analyze this neighborhood from a social and environmental perspective. Do not select State College for your analysis.
You will need to cite at least 3 reputable outside sources that do not include the course modules for your essay.
Part II: Write a paper
After you have selected your urban neighborhood, write a 500-750 word paper which answers the following questions.
Your paper will consist of two parts:
Analysis of the urban environment
What are the main attributes of the built environment of this neighborhood (e.g., size/existence of sidewalks; width of streets; height/size of buildings or homes)?
What are the main environmental attributes (i.e., proximity to greenspace or water; habitat)? Is there a lot of vegetation in this neighborhood?
How do people use this neighborhood? Is the neighborhood full of pedestrians, or are most people inside cars or buildings? What groups might feel welcome, and which not, in this neighborhood? How easy is it to access this neighborhood by different modes of transportation?
Does this neighborhood have historical or cultural significance? Was it part of a redlined (or green) neighborhood?
Provide at least two strategies that you have learned about in the course module or from your independent research that might make this a more socially and environmentally sustainable neighborhood.
How do these two strategies support social equity or environmental sustainability?
How feasible are these strategies for this place?
What challenges would this neighborhood face in enacting these changes?
