The Local Initiatives Support Corporation is a national nonprofit organization that provides technical and financial assistance to distressed neighborhoods. The San Diego office of LISC recently launched an ambitious new program entitled Neighborhoods First. The Neighborhoods First initiative supports a comprehensive approach to building healthy neighborhoods of choice and opportunity throughout San Diego. San Diego LISC is in the process of rolling out the initiative in two San Diego neighborhoods this year. As it embarks on this endeavor, it has opportunities for USP majors to provide research assistance on a critical piece of the project.
Through a resident-led quality of life planning process conducted over the past year, we learned that pedestrian mobility was a significant issue for the community. Colina Park residents depend on their ability to walk to and from local destinations and transit. About 1/3 of Colina Park households do not own a vehicle. However, there are a number of natural and artificial barriers that impeded residents’ ability to walk comfortably in their neighborhood. These features impact mobility within the Colina Park neighborhood, and between Colina Park and neighboring communities.
Topography is a major element in the community that impacts mobility. Steep hills dissuade walking and canyons and other grade changes disrupt street grids. In addition, pedestrian amenities are lacking in many locations, including sidewalks, street lights, and street trees. Last, there are non-physical features that impede pedestrian activity. Many residents do not feel comfortable on the streets due to concerns for safety, particularly at night.
Students will work to create a mobility plan for Colina Park that includes and maps an assessment of current conditions and makes recommendations for improved pedestrian mobility. These recommendations will include preferred locations for improved pedestrian amenities, recommendations to improve pedestrian connections within and between Colina Park and adjacent communities, and other features that would improve the pedestrian experience.
Students will use a variety of sources to make these recommendations, including interviews with neighborhood residents, personal observation and field work, review of community plan documents, and research of best practices used in other communities.
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