Four Degrees to the Streets

How Air Quality Impacts Our Health with Dr. Nemmi Cole

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:15:00 -0400

Environmental and civil engineer, professional hair braider, public health scholar, and triple HBCU alumna, Nemmi Cole, PhD joins the show to discuss outdoor air quality, warehouses, and respiratory health in California’s Inland Empire on the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast.

From 1980 to 2021 the number of warehouses and industrial buildings in the Inland Empire grew to 1 Billion Square Feet (1,000,000,000 SQ FT). Nearly 40% of all goods and products coming into the U.S travel on trucks through or sit in warehouses within San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. In 2024, the 5 most polluted cities in the entire nation were within the Inland Empire including Ontario and San Bernardino. Children and adults living in these communities have the highest rates of asthma, lung disease, and COPD in the State of California. Diesel trucks, industrial waste, truck idling, and output of industrial machinery contribute to chemicals in the air such as Sulfur Dioxide, Particulate Matter, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Volatile Organic Compounds. Our guest on the podcast is a native of San Bernardino so her work is personal. On the show Nemmi reminisces and laments the loss of parks and farmland in her community to industrial buildings and warehouses.

After completing her PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Florida A&M University, our guest Dr. Nemmi Cole returned home to join the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California to study the impact of megawarehouses on children’s respiratory health outcomes in San Bernardino and Riverside County. Jasmine and Nemmi bonded over their shared passion for how neighborhood design shapes our mental and physical health. Download the episode to hear the civil engineering, environmental science, urban planning, and real estate perspective on warehouses, asthma, diesel trucks, globalization, zoning, and mental health.

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Thank you for listening!

Read Nemmi Cole, Phd full bio:

Dr. Nemmi Cole is a researcher, engineer, and entrepreneur whose work sits at the intersection of science and social impact. Growing up in San Bernardino, California, with roots in Houston, Texas, she was driven by a deep intellectual curiosity about the world around her. That curiosity took her to Florida A&M University, where she became a proud triple alumna, earning her Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Her professional background spans academia, state and federal government, and international research, including roles as a Florida Gubernatorial Fellow - Federal Affairs Fellow in Washington, D.C, and as a Regulatory Program Assistant with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Most recently, she completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine, where she led research focusing on the impact of the built environment on children’s respiratory health outcomes.

Off the clock, she has spent nearly 28 years running her business, Braids by Nemmi, where she treats hair as a sophisticated art form rooted in culture and care. As she steps into her next chapter as a future faculty member, her mission is to equip the next generation of engineers and STEM professionals with the knowledge and practical skills to translate their academic training into real-world impact.

References:

Kim C, Gharib C, Atamna H. Pediatric Asthma in the Inland Empire: Environmental Burden, Gaps in Preventive Care, and Unmet Needs. Children (Basel). 2025 Sep 4;12(9):1183. doi: 10.3390/children12091183. PMID: 41007048; PMCID: PMC12468150. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12468150/

Andre Perry. Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities. https://bookshop.org/p/books/know-your-price-valuing-black-lives-and-property-in-america-s-black-cities-andre-m-perry/6d4a4eab6505ab10?ean=9780815737278&next=t&next=t%2Ct

Rose Institute of State and Local Government. 2024 Inland Empire Outlook. https://roseinstitute.cmc.edu/research/inland-empire and https://roseinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IEO_Spring_2024_IE_Warehouses.pdf

Planning for Los Angeles with Roderick D. Hall

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 23:45:00 -0400

Welcome back to The Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast! In this episode, our new-good friend, Roderick D. Hall joins the show! Roderick, is an urban planner, Los Angeles-transplant from rural North Carolina via the University of Oregon, housing advocate, former double-major in Political Science and Philosophy, and Marvel fan. Roderick is the Section Director for American Planning Association Los Angeles. APA LA is a professional development and urban planning advocacy non-profit organization, and the local arm of the National American Planning Association which has over 40K members across the U.S.

Roderick joins the show to mark the beginning of their term as the first Black and non-binary Section Director of the APA Los Angeles. We have an amazing conversation about their fun dirt road country upbringing and how that shapes their service to the community, the bundle of problems that contribute to the high cost of housing in Los Angeles, the joys of having family in close proximity, and how they hope to shape the future of the Los Angeles Section of the American Planning Association.

Roderick has over a decade of experience in urban planning. Rod shares insights on how urban planners and urban policy makers can and must use our existing tools to design and plan for equitable neighborhoods.

Share this episode with someone you know who cares about their neighborhood!

Thanks for listening!

Read Rod’s full bio below:

Roderick D. Hall is the Section Director for the Los Angeles Section of the American Planning Association and has been working in the field of urban planning and community development for a decade. Roderick serves as one of three co-chairs for the 2026 APA California state conference which will be held in Downtown Los Angeles October 3rd through 6th. Roderick is also a board member for the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust and Innovative Housing Opportunities, organizations that focus on the development of parks and affordable housing, respectively.

In addition to volunteering their time, Roderick is an affordable housing professional and works for the Los Angeles Housing Department where they nerd out affordable housing finance and asset management.

Follow the podcast on instagram @the4degreespod, watch this episode on YouTube, or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcast "The Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast".

If this conversation was interesting to you write us a email sending us your feedback and thoughts at fourdegreestothestreetspod@gmail.com

Planning, Priorities, and a Government Shut Down

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 23:45:00 -0400

Priorities, politics, and pockets, the real PPP. If you want to know what the government cares about, check how they spend their money. In this first episode of Season Six of The Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast we discuss how the federal government spends its $1,589,000,000,000 ($1.6 Trillion) dollar budget & how that spending directly relates to the political and social issues of 2026 such as DEI, immigration, and healthcare. And of course, how each of us can influence the political and financial system to champion our causes and benefit our neighborhoods. Our civil rights go well beyond voting; to calling, showing up at offices, writing letters, donating to candidates, and organizing our communities.

At the time this episode was recorded, the United States federal government was in a shut down. Congress had not solidified the upcoming fiscal year budget and technically all of the government hadn't been funded. In this episode we break down the six step process of putting together the U.S government budget, the players involved, and how a shut down happens.

Share this episode with someone you know who cares about their neighborhood!

Follow the podcast on instagram @the4degreespod, watch this episode on YouTube, or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcast "The Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast".

If this conversation was interesting to you write us an email sending us your feedback and thoughts at fourdegreestothestreetspod@gmail.com

We love to hear from you!

What Do Urban Planners Do?

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0400

The Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast is celebrating its 5 year anniversary! Celebrate with us with a re-play of one of our favorite episodes from season two. A panel discussion with four Black women, working in four different sectors of the built environment, in four different cities, all with the same singular approach: improving the quality of life through urban planning. Your host is joined by Michelle Juma: project manager, real estate investment strategist and graduate student; Nimo Azeez former co-host of the podcast, and Jasmine Burnett community organizer, strategist, and narrative designer. This episode heats up as we get through it, so make sure to listen till the end.

This episode is for anyone at an inflection point in their career. The host and guests share their stories of making pivots in their career, the struggle to make the decision and the joy that comes from the result.

This episode is for anyone curious about urban planning/city design/real estate industries, each of the panelists are educated under the same degree: city planning but work in four vastly different roles. Give us a listen if you're wondering what “urban planning” entails and how you can enter the profession.

Where are the entrepreneurs? This episode is critical for independent creatives, social justice advocates, and others who want to do good in this world. The panelists are entrepreneurs and 9-5’ers wanting to grow, guests share our story of making the transition from employee to entrepreneur.

Finally, this episode is for anyone curious about how cities work. Through discussion of our roles as policy makers, designers of neighborhoods, and financiers of housing you will learn about the system of cities.

The Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast is celebrating its five year anniversary!! This episode is a re-play of our season 2 episode “Four Degrees, Four Careers” from way back in 2021. But don’t worry, the topic of doing good for your community while earning a living and enjoying your life is still relatable today in 2025.

Thank you for listening to the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast. Share this episode with a friend or family member who cares about their neighborhood.

Don't Sell Your Gramma's House: A Conversation on Gentrification

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0400

Don’t Sell Your Gramma’s House is a plea. A plea to first assess all of your options before selling property owned in a neighborhood experiencing gentrification.

Gentrification is the process of a neighborhood's economic and social make up or character changing. The economic changes often include: significantly higher rents, property tax increases, store closings of small businesses, store openings of new locations for major franchises, demolition of older homes and replacement with modern large homes, and brand new apartment buildings. To support these economic changes, the neighborhood’s population changes dramatically. The social character of a neighborhood changes as current renters are priced out of the market and current landowners sell or lose their property. In the place of the existing residents, enter a younger and wealthier population.

This episode is for property owners who want to play the long game in gentrification. Jasmine Jones-Bynes pulls from her tenure in commercial real estate finance to offer five steps for property owners to protect themself from displacement and generate profit during gentrification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list but a starting guide to making a well-informed decision about property owned in a gentrifying community. Jasmine draws on her own lived experience growing up in a community experiencing gentrification and fighting to protect her family's assets. The steps offered are the source of both professional and personal experience.

This episode is a follow-up to Jasmine’s conversation on the Black Womens Healing Podcast, watch the episode on YouTube here.

Resources from the episode:

Displaced By Design National Community Reinvestment Coalition

Andre Perry Know Your Price:Valuing Black Lives and Property in America's Black Cities

A different approach to boarded-up houses and devalued homes: Catalysts for community-led renewal in Black neighborhoods

Sustainable for whom? Green urban development, environmental gentrification, and the Atlanta Beltline

The Black Urbanist Substack

Zoning as discussed on the show:

Planning for a Growing Metropolitan Area while Growing your Planning Career

Planning for Impact with Desiree "Dee" Powell

Failing to plan is planning to fail

Intro to City Planning with Black Women Healing Podcast

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0400

A special collaboration episode with Black Women Healing Podcast and the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast! Jasmine, host of the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast, joins Myra and Donika, hosts of the Black Women Healing Podcast to talk about city planning and mental health. You can watch this episode on YouTube here.

Jasmine (New Jersey suburbs), Myra (Inglewood, California), Donika (Louisville, Kentucky) share their relationship with the field or industry of urban planning; the first time taking a city-wide public bus, the struggle of finding community after moving to a new city, and watching their hometown change through gentrification.

The conversation gets local with all three ladies living and working in Los Angeles, California. The discussion shifts to fighting gentrification in Inglewood and South Central LA amongst planning decisions for SoFi Stadium, LAX, and metro line expansion. The message “DON’T SELL YOUR GRAMMA HOUSE” rings throughout the conversation as we break down some causes and solutions to gentrification, both personal and political.

The hosts explore how the absence or presence of parks and greenspace [urban planning] impacts anxiety and depression [mental health], how certain infrastructure like highways can lead to health issues like asthma while others such as bike lanes and wide sidewalks fight diabetes and heart disease. The conversation sites research from The Trust for Public Land, New York City Community Parks Initiative, and Smart Growth America.

The episode is available to watch on YouTube and listen on all streaming platforms.

Jasmine is so honored to be featured as a guest on the Black Women Healing Podcast! A special thank you and shout out to Myra Hollis and Donika Brown hosts of the Black Women Healing Podcast! Black Women Healing Podcast is a safe space hosted by two License Marriage and Family Therapists navigating the mental health field and the mental health world. Using their real-life experiences and expertise as professionals, this podcast will take you on a journey that starts and/or continues our viewer's healing. We bring realness and the work to do.

When Crack Was King with Donovan X. Ramsey

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 06:30:00 -0400

Donovan X. Ramsey, author of When Crack Was King: A People’s History of a Misunderstood Era joins the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast to explore the relationship between the crack era and urban planning.

The crack epidemic, more commonly known as the crack era, was the decade between 1985-1995 of high crack-cocaine use and distribution in U.S. cities and urban areas. The period birthed the “War on Drugs”, a series of laws that gave police permission to patrol and harass everyone in any neighborhood associated with the substance, created mandatory sentencing terms for drug-related offenses, punished users more severely than dealers, and did very little for substance abuse treatment for addicts. Popular media told the story of the crack epidemic through caricatures of “crackheads”, “crack babies”, and “super predators” to describe people, mostly Black people living in cities, impacted or associated with the substance.

The Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast invited Donovan X. Ramsey to the show to discuss the complex relationships between the crack epidemic, the war on drugs, urban policy, and the Black lived experience. Together, Donovan and Jasmine, explore the synergy between the war on drugs and urban renewal, Hope IV, the Federal Highway Act, and other urban planning policies. Ramsey shares his thoughts on how America heals from the crack epidemic. The conversation pulls back the curtain on the lies, stereotypes, and misunderstandings about the crack epidemic to enlighten listeners and champion the voices of those forgotten due to their association with the substance: crack-cocaine.

When Crack Was King: A People’s History Of A Misunderstood Era is dedicated to “the misunderstood, the marginalized, and the maligned”. The goal of the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast is “to empower and provide tools to overcome structural and institutional barriers”. Download the episode to hear how these two missions collide.

And listen till the end for an exclusive on Ramsey’s next project.

The special guest for this episode is Donovan X. Ramsey, his full bio is written below:

Donovan X. Ramsey is an indispensable voice on issues of identity, culture, and patterns of power in America. His reporting has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, GQ, WSJ Magazine, Ebony, and Essence, among other outlets. He has been a staff reporter at the Los Angeles Times, NewsOne, and theGrio. He has served as an editor at The Marshall Project and Complex. Ramsey is the author of When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era, a work of narrative nonfiction exploring how Black America survived the crack epidemic for One World, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House. He holds degrees from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and Morehouse College.

The Planning Alphabet - E: Environmental Justice with Brittany Simmons

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400

“Tell me your zip code, and I’ll tell you your life expectancy” famously stated by Dr. Anthony Iton of University of California - Berkeley to describe the dynamic relationship between race, class, neighborhood design, and public health. This episode is about just Environmental Justice - defined in community organizing as “the right of all people to live, work, and play in a clean and healthy environment, regardless of race, class, gender, or geography”.

The host of the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast, Jasmine, is joined by Brittany Simmons, better known as @signedbritt to her 70,000+ followers on social media, to discuss environmental justice (injustice). Brittany is an urban planning professional with a content creation platform on Instagram, TikTok, and Substack. This episode is one of a 26-part series titled “The Planning Alphabet” on the for the city girls Substack website. In the episode the host and special guest discuss zip code 48217 in Detroit, known as Michigan's most polluted zip code. In which the neighborhood’s predominantly Black residents have been in a decades-long fight with the adjacent oil refinery company over air pollution and related asthma, cancer, and mental health issues.

The Flint Michigan Water Crisis, Cancer Alley in Louisiana, and the Cross-Bronx Expressway are a handful of examples of environmental injustice in the United States. These are cases of air, water, and soil pollution that result from policy decisions and disproportionately impact minority and low-income communities negatively. In the episode, the host and special guest Brittany Simmons discuss the evolution of environmental justice from smoke-stacks and waste dumping to highways and food deserts as well as the implications of environmental quality on human health outcomes.

Brittany Simmons Bio:

Brittany Simmons is a Detroit-based urban planner and storyteller who leads place-based, community-driven strategies to create more livable and equitable, vibrant cities. With experience in both New York City and Detroit, she brings a creative, interdisciplinary lens to urban planning, rooted in a deep understanding of people, place, and culture. Brittany’s expertise in community engagement ensures that local voices are centered at every stage of planning and development. Beyond her professional practice, she is also a content creator who shares insights on urban planning and city life, making the field more accessible and inspiring new conversations about the future of our cities.

Share this episode with a friend who cares about their neighborhood!

Thank you for listening to The Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast! Follow us on Instagram @the4degreespod and send us an email at fourdegreestothestreetspod@gmail.com.

Connect with Brittany on Instagram and TikTok @signedbritt and subscribe to the for the city girls Substack here.

Friends in Urban Planning with Jonathan Braun

Tue, 06 May 2025 06:30:00 -0400

Think of your favorite debate show like First Take or Inside the NBA on TNT and replace sports with urban planning. That is what you can expect in this episode.

The host, Jasmine, sits down with one of her best friends and fellow urban planner, Jonathan Braun, to discuss the housing affordability crisis, equitable access to public transportation, commonly ignored problems with electric vehicles, and so much more. Jonathan Braun is a senior consultant in urban planning working on transportation, land use, and environmental projects across the United States. Jonathan was born in Manhattan and raised in the New York City-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA metropolitan statistical area before spending formative years in rural Iowa. In the episode he shares how these places shaped his opinions on the built environment.

This episode is the result of a six year friendship in urban planning. The Friends in Urban Planning episode is two friends going back and forth (like an Aaliyah record) about the issues of cities with a trained eye. The conversation at times is serious as we discuss the public health risks of transportation and at times straight hilarious when Jonathan shares his Washington, D.C theft story.

Share this episode with a friend who cares about their neighborhood!

Thank you for listening to The Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast! Follow us on Instagram

@the4degreespod and send us an email at fourdegreestothestreetspod@gmail.com.

Q1 2025 Review in Urban Planning (1st ever bonus episode!!)

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400

If you had to describe the first three months of 2025 in one word, what would you say? For me, the first quarter of 2025 was bananas!! This episode is the 1st of quarterly bonus episodes summarizing all things city planning that happened in the previous 90 days. In addition to our regularly scheduled programming, our monthly episodes, these four times a year quarterly episodes take a broader view at the goings-on (things happening) across the U.S and sometimes internationally at the intersection of urban planning x community development.

Q1 2025 Review in Urban Planning starts in January with Donald Trump taking the U.S Presidential/Executive office, the host: Jasmine and hundreds of thousands of people in Los Angeles having to evacuate their homes because of wildfires, and wraps up in March with a coast to coast run down of the hottest real estate deals.

Listen to this episode to hear takes on:

Donald Trump’s first 90ish days as the 47th President of the United States
How the host: Jasmine navigated the historic Los Angeles Wildfires
Consequences and opportunities for cities with Forever 21 bankruptcy and store closings
Hot List of Real Estate Deals: Hudson Yards (New York, NY), Poplar Point Redevelopment (Washington, D.C), office-to-residential construction (Los Angeles, CA)

References:

Greater Los Angeles Wildfires - January 2025

Forever 21’s Bankruptcy Could Be a Win for Mall Owners

Mayor Bowser Announces Selection of Therme Group’s Inclusive Health and Wellbeing Destination for Poplar Point

Therme Group

About NYC Community Boards

Hudson Yards casino proposal by Related and Wynn Resorts rejected by Manhattan Community Board 4

Jamison Starts Mixed-Use Conversion

Planning for Impact with Desiree "Dee" Powell

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 05:00:00 -0400

The Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast interviews Desiree “Dee” Powell about the Black Planner Collective, Do Right By The Streets Urban Planning, South Dallas Food Park, Implementing vs. Planning for community development, and her takes on urban planning issues and trends.

Dee, as she is affectionately known to her thousands of social media followers, is founder of Do Right By the Streets Urban Planning, an urban planning and space curation firm. But the organization is not your typical consulting service, Do Right By the Streets is “working to embed ourselves into communities/neighborhoods as lifelong residents and friends”. Dee shares her experience working in City Hall and talks about the dichotomy of growing up in rural Louisiana and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Thank you for listening to The Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast! Follow us on Instagram @the4degreespod and send us an email at fourdegreestothestreetspod@gmail.com.

Share these insights from this month’s episode with friends and family:

1. Community and resident independence and empowerment as one of the most useful outcomes of urban planning / policy implementation.

2. Experience as a municipal or city planner (ex: Planning Assistant, Planner I, Planner II, Senior Planner) provides valuable technical, policy, communication, and legal skills.

Get in contact with our guest, Desiree “Dee” Powell:

Email: desiree@drbtsurbanplanning.com,

IG: @thedee_p OR @sunnysouthdallasfoodpark

Website: www.drbtsurbanplanning.com and www.prolificpl4ces.org

New York City Congestion Pricing with Tiffany-Ann Taylor

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0400

New York City is the largest city in the United States, greater than the next largest (Los Angeles) by roughly 5 million people, it is also the 13th largest city in the world. The New York Metropolitan area or the Tri-State area (NJ, NY, CT) contain 7% of the U.S population and contribute 12% to the national GDP (gross domestic product).

The region is home to millions of people and jobs, cultural and historic resources, environmental treasures, international ports, and so much more, all thriving off of the city’s 24 hour + 7 day a week subway system.

However, that system, including the actual mechanics and infrastructure (cables, switches, train cars, etc.), stations and platforms, and access points are all in need of improvement and modernization. In January 2025, the City of New York launched its congestion tolling or congestion pricing system to disincentivize driving in one of the world's most gridlocked areas - Midtown Manhattan and to finance the much needed capital repairs along the city's transit system.

Join the host of the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast in conversation with Tiffany-Ann Taylor, Vice President of Transportation for the Regional Plan Association, the region's oldest and premier urban planning research and advocacy organization dating back to 1922, as we discuss the impact of congestion pricing and the opportunities/challenges facing the New York Tri-State area for the years to come.

Share theses insights from the episode:

Congestion pricing revenue is forecasted to generate $1B annually and is designated for MTA capital improvements.
New York City is the first city in the United States to implement a congestion pricing network, inspiring many North American cities including Toronto, Canada and Los Angeles, California to consider congestion tolling of their own.
The New York City metropolitan area struggles with the compounding challenge of an old system, with many parts of the system 100+ years old, and the impacts of climate change that cause freezing, flooding, and overheating of various parts of the transit system.

Note: This episode was recorded in November 2024 prior to the tolling starting in January 2025 and prior to President Trump proposed changes to the program. Read the Regional Plan Association Press Release here: RPA Statement on Trump Administration Plan to Revoke Congestion Pricing

Links:

Contact RPA

RPA.org / @regionplan on X / @regional_plan on Instagram

Follow the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast on Instagram @the4degreespod

Supplier Diversity for Small Businesses with Jaime Coleman

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0400

The United States government spends more than $600 billion on goods and services sourced from third-party suppliers. As the largest consumer in the world, the U.S government issues thousands of contracts to companies. With that opportunity comes the responsibility to distribute contract dollars equitably, across a wide range of business classifications and avoid providing an advantage to one type of business. Supplier diversity involves the policies, procedures, and programs that support equitable inclusion of small and/or diverse organizations in access and receipt of vendor contracts. In this episode, the host of the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast sit down with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategist Jaime Coleman to advise small business on how to bid for a government contract and to examine how governments are performing on their equity in procurement/supplier diversity goals.

Jaime Coleman most recently served as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategist for a midsize city in North Carolina. As a one-person department, Jaime ideated and led all internal DEI learning & development and its corresponding compliance, reviewed and revised policies, engaged with stakeholders to establish trust with the municipality, represented the organization at various community and cultural events, and facilitated relationships between internal departments and historically underutilized businesses (HUB).

Jaime’s career started in Higher Education. Priding herself on being well-read and well-researched, Jaime believes that knowledge, open-mindedness, and understanding are essential tools to address many social ills. With years of experience as an Adjunct, she uses her facilitation skills to deliver interactive workshops that create openness, and equip and inspire the audience to take meaningful action. Jaime is a passionate advocate for people. She understands the importance of internal culture and its impact on external constituents.

Personally, Jaime cherishes time with her husband and children. Jaime is an avid reader, a certified trauma-informed yoga instructor, and a seasoned traveler. Jaime earned her MBA from Georgetown University, holds a Master's from NYU, and her Bachelor's is from Rutgers University. Jaime appreciates invitations to contribute and promises to deliver.

Share these insights from this episode:

The United States federal government has procurement targets for each business classification for every department.
The local chamber of commerce, economic development department, small business resource center, and community college are excellent resources for small businesses.
Jaime Coleman shares a five-step process for small businesses to earn contracts with local, state, and federal governments.

Resources:

New Jersey Disparity Study: A Study on the Availability and Utilization of Small, Minority, Women, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses

Massachusetts Performance Audit

NC MWBE Coordinators Network

FAA DBE Program

Equity in Federal Government Procurement Literature Review

Economic Development with Thrive Consulting

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0400

In 2019 Minneapolis, Minnesota became the 1st city to eliminate single-family zoning. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul region continues to be a leader in urban planning and economic development practices. Yet the region, like others across the U.S, continues to struggle with poverty, unemployment, and housing affordability issues. Join us in a conversation with Minneapolis native and experienced planner: Breanne Rothstein, AICP, founder and CEO of Thrive Consulting on how to improve quality of life by shifting the focus of economic development to investing in people and community.

Breanne Rothstein, AICP, is founder and CEO of Thrive Consulting, a firm that seeks to connect communities to the abundance in the economy by creating economic development and housing solutions through policy and programs. Breanne has a distinct passion for communities and strives to help them be welcoming places through meaningful, inclusive community partnerships. She offers over 20 years of experience of community development and organizational development in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. She is a powerful speaker and trainer, and has presented over 50 panels, sessions, and workshops on topics of zoning reform, housing finance, and inclusive economic development strategies.

Share these insights from this episode:

Traditional economic development practices in local/city governments have focused on growing the tax base and bringing jobs to the neighborhood but these objectives are often missed and not in alignment with the economic and growth needs of residents and small businesses.
Small business centers, down-payment assistance programs, talent/industry cultivation, micro-loans (<$10,000), and affordable housing are examples of economic development that invests in people.
An adjustment of permitted/not-permitted vs. conditioned land uses can be an effective strategy to reduce red-tape or barriers to housing development.

Links to resources:

Thrive Consulting

Metropolitan Council

Breanne Rothstein AICP

Strategies for Food Deserts

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes are the leading causes of death in the United States. Across the country it is easier for a family to get a variety of fast junk food than it is to get fresh vegetables and protiens. Food deserts are defined by the USDA (Department of Agriculture) as a low income community more than 1 mile from a grocery store or supermarket, there are 45 million Americans of all backgrounds living in food desert communities. Some are doubly hurt by also living in an area with a lot of liquor stores, tobacco shops, and fast food brands known as ‘food swamps’. Download the episode to learn about the strategies available to solve the food desert problem in urban areas.

Share these insights from this episode:

Urban farms, transit oriented developments, zoning, and state-tax credits are some strategies applied to solve improve access to quality healthy food
14% of the U.S population, roughly 45 Million people live within a food desert
Programs that increase supply of healthy food in food desert neighborhoods report an increase in consumption of fresh food

Links to resources:

USDA Food Desert Map

USDA Research Report: Characteristics and Influential Factors of Food Deserts

The Social-Ecological Model of Health

Food Swamps Predict Obesity Rates Better Than Food Deserts in the United States

Lyft Up Grocery Access

Brookings Institution Research: Delivering to deserts: New data reveals the geography of digital access to food in the U.S.

New Jersey Healthy Corner Store Program

Truman Olsen Redevelopment

Safe Routes to Healthy Food

MARTA Fresh Markets

Columbia Heights Restoring a Historic Neighborhood

New Jersey Food Desert Relief Supermarket Tax Credit Program

New York State Food Retail Expansion to Support Health

Bonus Episode: Season 4 Finale

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Thank you to all of our listeners for a great season 4! In this bonus episode, Nimo and Jas recap the season, memorable moments, special guests, and our accomplishments over the last four years. We’ve reached over 10,000 total downloads, 27 countries, and over 6,000 unique listeners. The Podcast will be back with new episodes for season 5 in Fall 2024.

News for next season: Nimo will be taking a break. However, Jas will continue to host Season 5.

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

Follow us on X and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Or send us an email to connect with us!

Economic Development of Former Military Bases: Tyler Perry Studios

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0400

It's difficult to argue Tyler Perry's influence in the entertainment industry and Black media. Twenty-four feature films, 20 stage plays, 17 television shows, and two New York Times bestselling books. In this episode, Nimo and Jas uncover the impact of Tyler Perry Studios (TPS) and the physical footprint implications in Atlanta. TPS opened its 330 acres in 2019 after purchasing land that was the former Fort McPherson military base. Press play to hear:

History of Fort McPherson and Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) that led to closing multiple bases across the country
Examples of other military base redevelopments, consistent themes, and community concerns
A review of the benefits and consequences of Tyler Perry Studios over the past five years

Thank you for a great Season Four! Episodes will return in Fall 2024.

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

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Resources

The effect of film production studios on housing prices in Atlanta, the Hollywood of the South

Oakland City Fort Mac

Fort McPherson Draft Master Plan 2021

Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)

Once feared, redevelopment of Myrtle Beach Air Force Base has been resounding success

Governor Murphy and Netflix Announce Plans to Build State-of-the-Art East Coast Production Facility at Fort Monmouth

Netflix moving ahead with plan to build N.J. mega studio

'Hollywood of the South:' After a decade, industry leaders succeed in making Atlanta a hub for filmmakers of color

Tyler Perry on Building an Entertainment Empire in Atlanta - BNN Bloomberg

Planning for a Growing Metropolitan Area while Growing your Planning Career

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 09:15:00 -0400

Nina Simone sang, "To be young, gifted, and Black." For today's episode, we'll add one more: to be young, gifted, Black, and a planner! Nimo and Jas sat down with Kamau As-Salaam, the Assistant Director of Planning and Zoning for Henry County, Georgia, part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, where the population is expected to increase by 1.8 million by 2050. Kamau participated in and facilitated Henry County's 2045 Comprehensive Plan, zoning code updates, housing affordability measures, and diversification of Henry County's housing stock. Kamau has a bachelor's degree in History with a minor in Geography from Tennessee State University and a master's degree in City and Regional Planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. Press play to hear:

Unique challenges and solutions when working at the county level with competing growth priorities
Kamau's motivation for working in the planning field and local government experience
Navigating the industry as a Black male planner and recommendations for diversifying future generations of planners
Planning hot takes in 30 seconds or less

Questions for Kamau? Send him an email: ksalaam@co.henry.ga.us

Thank you for listening. Tune in every other Tuesday, when Nimo and Jas keep it Four Degrees to the Streets.

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Announcements

Smart Growth America's Equity Summit is March 27-28. Nimo will moderate the panel: "Building momentum: Lessons from frontline advocates & government leaders"

Stay tuned for APA Women Entrepreneurs in Urban Planning March 14 recording featuring Jas and fellow women entrepreneurs

Budget Equity in Local Government

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0400

You may remember our first in-person episode, “Where The Money Reside,” from Season 1. In it, we explained the budgeting process in local governments and briefly mentioned examples of how cities can incorporate equity into the budget process. Today, we’re following up with a deeper dive into budget equity as a tool to address historic and present inequalities throughout programs and plans that lead to effective change and implementation. PolicyLink’s Equity Manifesto defines equity as just and fair inclusion into a society in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. Press play to hear:

An overview of budget equity best practices and how to use it
Explanations of how six cities across the country used a budget equity tool: Dallas, Seattle, Nashville, Tacoma, Portland, New York City

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

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Where to find us this month:

March 14: Women Entrepreneurs in Urban Planning - Zoom (American Planning Association Women and Planning Division)

March 28: Smart Growth America Equity Summit - In-Person

Resources:

Where The Money Reside (S1E8): Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Instagram Visuals

Los Angeles Budget Review: How-to video

The Equity Manifesto | PolicyLink

Dallas: Big Audacious Goals

Dallas Equity Indicators Report

Dallas Racial Equity Plan

Dallas 2022-2023 Budget

Dallas Equity Dashboard + Equity Budget Allocations

Seattle Racial Equity Toolkit

Nashville Budget Equity Tool

Tacoma 2025

Tacoma Participatory Budgeting

Tacoma Equity and Human Rights

Portland Bureau Racial Equity Plans

Portland Budget Equity Assessment Tool

Portland Budget Equity Resolution

NYC Parks Framework for an Equitable Future 2014

Genealogy and Urban Planning with MORFBOSS

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Happy Black History Month! This week, we have a special guest, Ross Murph, aka MORFBOSS, a professional genealogist born in New York with Southern roots. He uses his research to uplift people and uncover overlooked parts of history. Ross shares examples from Los Angeles, CA, and Washington, DC, to tell the history of Black and Latino land loss. According to the American Bar Association, as an example, by 1997, Black farmers lost more than 90 percent of the 16 million acres they owned in 1910. This massive decline was possible through white privilege, power, and influence with local government officials to exploit laws. This presents itself in urban planning and real estate through government misuse of eminent domain, compensation below market value, discriminatory tax assessments, and coordinated discrimination. Press play to hear:

Nimo & Jas share personal stories of ancestry and land ownership
Arlington Freedman’s Village (now Arlington National Cemetery) and its history of slavery and emancipation
Land loss related to Pio Pico, the last governor of Alta California under Mexican rule

Learn more from Ross and follow him @morfboss on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

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

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Resources

Property Rights: The Neglected Theme of 20th-Century American Planning

Property Rights in American History - Hillsdale College

Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities (Book)

Taking on State Law in Defense of Family Farms - The Piedmont Environmental Council

Freedman's Village - Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)

Whose Land? Claims at Arlington Estate - Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial (U.S. National Park Service)

John Bryce Syphax

Freedman's Village

Vast Swaths of Southern California Once Belonged to Pío Pico

Pilar (Bernal) Pico will regarding land (Newspaper Article)

Walk Score & More: Tools to Measure Environmental Quality

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 05:00:00 -0400

The podcast often discusses how human activity and policies impact the natural and built environment. In today’s episode, Nimo and Jas share vital tools and resources to help you understand the environmental condition of your community and how to use the tools to make decisions in your personal life. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, is the source for most of the tools below. EPA's mission is to protect human health and the environment by ensuring clean air, land, and water with federal regulations. Press play to hear:

Walk Score: An online tool that allows you to determine the pedestrian, biker, and transit user accessibility of a location.
EPA Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator: Helps you calculate your home or small business carbon footprint and identify ways to reduce it.
CoolClimate Maps: An analysis of household carbon profiles for each zip code, city, county, and state.
EPA Environmental Justice (EJ) Screen: A mapping tool that helps identify areas where residents may be disproportionately affected by environmental pollution.
EPA How’s My Waterway?: Interactive data/mapping about the condition of local waters based on federal, state, and local government reporting

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

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Resources

Walk Score

EJScreen Tool

What is EJScreen? | US EPA

Carbon Footprint Calculator | Climate Change | US EPA

Simplified GHG Emissions Calculator | US EPA

CoolClimate Maps

The Economic Impact of the Beyoncé Renaissance World Tour

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

The Beyoncé Renaissance World Tour was more than ticket sales, metallic outfits, horses in outer space, and a showcase of a timeless album. In this special in-person episode, Nimo and Jas discuss the tour's impact on urban planning and local economies. The Renaissance World Tour influenced ten countries, with 56 shows in total. As the highest-grossing tour for any female artist and the highest ever of any artist per show, averaging $10.3 million per show. The New York Times estimated the tour generated $4.5 billion dollars for the US economy. As our listeners know, places and spaces don’t come together without resources. Press play to hear:

A closer look at a few cities and their transportation plans for the concert, including Santa Clara, DC, and Houston, to accommodate the influx of visitors
The importance of addressing urban design and providing safe and equitable transit options for all riders during events
An Urban Planning Renaissance: Recommendations for planners and policymakers based on the economic impact of Beyoncé's concerts on local economies and the direction of the field in 2024

You can watch this full episode on our YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe!

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

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Resources:

Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour Has 'Inconsistent' Hotel Impact From Market to Market

Hotel performance standouts during Beyonce’s world tour | STR

Beyoncé's "Renaissance World Tour" nears Olympic success with its multibillion-dollar impact on the US economy

Beyonce at Levi's Stadium: VTA, BART, Caltrain to have extra service - CBS San Francisco

Metrorail Ridership Summary | WMATA

Who Rides Public Transportation

Transit Score Methodology

The Beyoncé Bump

African American Women in the U.S. Economy

Who is driving Black business growth? Insights from the latest data on Black-owned businesses | Brookings

Black Women Entrepreneurs: Growth and Headwinds | J.P. Morgan

AI and Cities

U.S. DOT Equity Action Plan - January 2022

Empowering Community Development Education through ULI's UrbanPlan: An Interview with Kevin Miles

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

How old were you when you discovered urban planning? Maybe it was listening to our podcast, attending a community meeting for a proposed development change, or a class you took in school. In today’s episode, Nimo and Jas interview Mr. Kevin Miles, a dynamic teacher and DEI facilitator based in Dallas, Texas. By using the Urban Land Institute’s UrbanPlan curriculum, press play to hear how he cultivated a five-year education path for 8th-12th grade students at Dallas Townview School of Business and Management.

Mr. Miles's lifelong mission is to establish a National Career and Technology Student Leadership Organization (CTSO) and a “feeder pattern” of skilled and diverse Student Leaders to positively impact the future of the built environment that includes the cultural needs of a place, rather than an outdated pipeline model.

In addition to teaching, Mr. Miles serves as the Director of External Relations for Townview School of Business and Management. He is also Chair of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Dallas Fort Worth Pathways to Inclusion (PTI) Committee and works closely with National ULI’s DEI team to help promote and develop PTI and BIPOC members.

Questions for Kevin Miles? Send him an email at epicc2030@gmail.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.

To volunteer or add UrbanPlan to your school, contact urbanplan@uli.org.

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

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Transit-Oriented Development East to West w/ Urban Planning is Not Boring

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Happy New Year! In this special joint episode, the Four Degrees to the Streets and Urban Planning is Not Boring podcasts come together to discuss Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). Hosts Nimo, Jas, Sam, and Nat use their expertise and experience living in TODs as a backdrop to give a coast-to-coast perspective on this complex subject. Press play to hear:

TOD defined as a mixed-use community that encourages people to live near transit services and decrease their dependence on driving and its key components and history
Examples of TOD programs including BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), NJ Transit, the City of Chicago's ETOD (equitable transit-oriented development) plan, and the Federal Transit Administration TOD Pilot Program
Considerations for the future of TOD

Learn more about Urban Planning is Not Boring, the podcast that explores the fascinating world of urban planning, at urbanplanningisnotboring.squarespace.com and follow on social media @urbanplanningisnotboring.

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

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Resources

Histories of Transit-Oriented Development: Perspectives on the Development of the TOD Concept

BART TOD

Millbrae BART TOD

Elevated Chicago

ETOD | Equitable Transit-Oriented Development

Pennrose Gives Back to Veterans Through Housing

Dover officials open new 70-unit affordable family and veterans housing in downtown

FTA FY 2023 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development

TOD Planning Study (2015-2021) Projects

An Intro to CDFIs: Compassion, Community, & Financing

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Four Degrees to the Streets podcast, hosts Nimo and Jas interview Natasha Dowell, a Loan Officer at a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) located in the Southeast US. Natasha has over a decade of public health experience and is passionate about bringing to life community development projects that advance health equity. Her public health experience covers a wide range including behavioral health, nutritional and physical fitness, maternal and child health, and foodborne outbreaks. Natasha brings her planning and public health training as a lender for a variety of projects, including charter schools and affordable housing developments.

Press play to hear:

Natasha’s background and career path as well as what community development means to her and why it is critical for Black people in the US
The intersection of public health and the planned + built environment that results in increased access or lack of opportunities
The lifecycle of a CDFI project and how an organization makes final decisions. She also shares her hot takes on the biggest problems facing cities and potential solutions

This episode provides valuable insights into community development and the role of CDFIs in urban planning. Natasha's experience and expertise make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in community development and urban planning. Feel free to visit the CDFI 101 Toolkit to learn more about the industry.

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

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Resources

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation | What makes a long life?

Why Aren't Kids Playing Outside?

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Hello, and welcome back to the fourth season of the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast! We are truly grateful for your support since 2020, and we're excited to bring you something truly special this season.

In today’s episode, what if we told you that technology might not be solely to blame for why kids don't play outside anymore? What if we said that the physical design of our roadways, parks, and neighborhoods could have a bigger impact on children's safety and access to outdoor play? Press play to hear:

Eye-opening statistics on Child Pedestrian safety and Park Access
Examples of best practices for planning with youth in mind
We'll also take a closer look at how educational systems impact student travel and safety

We believe that this is a conversation that needs to be had, and we invite you to join us. Listen to learn more about this crucial issue and help be part of the solutions that can make a real difference for children.

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

Follow us on X and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Or send us an email to connect with us!

Resources:

Park access among school-age youth in the United States

For 30 Years, This Grown-Up’s Office Was the Playground - The New York Times

Understanding child-friendly urban design: A framework to measure Playful Learning Landscapes outcomes | Brookings

Learning Landscapes: Can urban planning and the learning sciences work together to help children? | Brookings

All Children are Pedestrians! Prevention Tips and Recent Statistics

American Academy of Pediatrics Lays Out Steps for Improving Child Pedestrian Safety

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | 2021 Data - Pedestrians

The Road to School | Urban Institute

Inclusive Transportation

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Season Four is almost here! In the meantime, we have a special interview to share. This July, Veronica O. Davis, PE, transportation expert and Director of Transportation and Drainage Operations for Houston, Texas*, released her book, Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities. Nimo and Jas had the pleasure of speaking with Veronica Davis about her inspiration for the book, questions from our reading, and reflections on her career journey in fields that lack Black women representation.

Veronica is an accomplished transportation planner with almost 20 years of experience. She co-founded Black Women Bike and was recognized as a Champion of Change by the White House in 2012 for her professional accomplishments and advocacy.

We highly recommend Veronica's book Inclusive Transportation, if you want to learn more about how to improve transportation in your community. You can find it at https://islandpress.org. Additionally, be sure to follow Veronica on X at @VeronicaODavis to stay updated on her work and advocacy efforts.

*Inclusive Transportation represents the author's opinions and does not necessarily represent those of the City of Houston.

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

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Make the Plan, Find Your Purpose

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Boy, we had a time this season! And just like that, we’re on our last episode of season three. We got to catch up with Nina Idemudia, AICP, before she presented several sessions at the American Planning Association (APA) National Planning Conference that took place April 1-4, 2023. Nina inspired Nimo and Jas in their planning careers long before this episode. She currently serves as the Chicago Recovery Plan Director for the City of Chicago's Department of Planning and Development. She started her career as a planner for the City of Los Angeles with a purpose and passion for how the built environment impacts communities. In addition to multiple awards from APA, Nina was recently elected the first Black President of the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association. She is also a board member of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Press play to hear:

Reflections on Nina’s career journey and education experience, and local planning differences by region
Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Recovery and resilience planning
Planning “hot takes” in 45 seconds or less

You can learn from the Chicago Recovery Plan Team at the virtual APA conference on April 27, presenting on using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for equitable outcomes. Follow Nina on IG @aplannerwithapurpose.

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

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And The Winner Is...: Reactions to RCP Awardees

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Earlier this month, we met with a special guest and Professional Planner, Byron Nicholas, to discuss the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, regional planning, and the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (RCP). We discussed MPOs and USDOT funding. However, we want to dive deeper to give an overview of federal transportation authorizations and why they matter in BIL and environmental planning. BIL is the most recent federal transportation authorization and the largest in history, so it’s only right that we hit you with another one. Press play to hear:

An extra raspy Jas (she was losing her voice!)
History and impact of federal transportation authorizations over the last 20 years
How MPOs work with partner agencies to consider the environmental impacts of transportation projects and long-range plans and how BIL adds to this effort
Highlights and hot takes of several first-round RCP awardees

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

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RESOURCES

Federal Transportation Authorizations | FHWA

Environmental Mitigation in Transportation Planning | FHWA

Environmental Justice Considerations in Regional Planning

The Stitch

Federal funding to reconnect Claiborne approved — but a fraction of what city, state sought | WWNO

Biden-Harris Administration Announces First-Ever Awards from Program to Reconnect Communities

Reconnecting Communities FY22 Award Fact Sheets

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Maps Dashboard | D2D

Transportation For America The infrastructure law is not climate legislation, but states could make it green

MAP-21 vs. FAST Act Comparison Chart

AMERICA HAS A [Infrastructure] PROBLEM

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400

One of President Biden's top priorities was to build better infrastructure. To start, he signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on November 15, 2021, that allocated funding to over 350 distinct programs across more than a dozen federal departments and agencies. One may wonder how this historic $1.2 trillion investment in roads and bridges, broadband, rail and transit, clean energy, and water will look when it appears at their doorstep. We sat down with Byron Nicholas, PP, AICP, based in New Jersey. An expert in multi-modal planning, policy, funding, and design at the regional and municipal levels to understand how the federal government is using funding programs to rectify issues that have harmed communities of color by creating barriers to neighborhood connectivity, mobility, and access. Press play to hear:

An overview of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the role of regional transportation planning
An analysis of USDOT’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (RCP) to remove, retrofit, or mitigate transportation facilities like highways or rail lines to improve quality of life
Reflections on BIL after the first year of investments

Connect with Byron on social media at @blackandurban or blackandurban.com, an accessible platform for planners and forward thinkers to showcase ideas.

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

Guidebook to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

What Is Regional Planning? | Planetizen Planopedia

National Association of Regional Councils

Biden-Harris Administration Announces First-Ever Awards from Program to Reconnect Communities

Reconnecting Communities FY22 Award Fact Sheets

Lord Cultural Resources

Bronx One Policy Group

What It Looks Like to Reconnect Black Communities Torn Apart by Highways

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Maps Dashboard | D2D

Free to Move with ACE YOGA LA

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 07:30:00 -0400

Thank you to all of our listeners for a powerful Black History Month focused on health and wellness. We’ve enjoyed sharing health-related content and meaningful conversations with guests. This episode is no different. We’re joined by Alicia “ACE” Easter, certified yoga and meditation instructor and master Reiki practitioner. ACE also hosts the JOY FOR LIFE Podcast that covers self-discovery, loss, motherhood, mindfulness, body acceptance, and the extraordinary power of yoga. Press play to hear:

The inspiration for ACE YOGA LA and how ACE embodies her truth and joy as Owner/Founder of ACE Enterprises LLC, a holistic wellness brand
What it means to bring your authentic self to the yoga industry that is not traditionally welcoming or accessible to Black communities
The impacts of stress and trauma on the mind and body and how increased allostatic load reduces the quality of life for Black people in the United State

!! Listeners receive a discount on all ACE YOGA LA products when you use the CODE: FOURDEGREES10 at checkout.

!! Follow ACE on social media @aceyogala. If you’re in the Los Angeles Area, book a class with ACE at White Heat Yoga or Kinship Yoga.

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

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Free Flo Fit

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0400

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 South Got Something to Say

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 03:30:00 -0400

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.

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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

Reclaiming block parties & Blackness

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0400

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

Failing to plan is planning to fail

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0400

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

Is cost of living everything?

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0400

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

Future of Work

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 05:00:00 -0400

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

Emerging practices in social responsibility

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0400

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.

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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

Decision-making in public space: Gender, race, and class

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 05:00:00 -0400

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

The Streets Are Not Equal

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 05:00:00 -0400

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.

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People-First Public Safety and Health

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 05:00:00 -0400

“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.

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Tracing the Dream

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 05:00:00 -0400

In honor of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday earlier this month, Nimo and Jas traced the dream back to the 1960s at the height of the civil rights movement. Following the March on Washington and his famous "I Have A Dream" speech, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, authorizing the federal government to enforce desegregation and prohibit discrimination. We explored Dr. King's tremendous legacy and how that has impacted black people in the United States then and now. Press play to hear:

Reactions to Dr. King's "The Other America" speech on housing discrimination
A comparison of social and economic measures within the black population from the 1960s to the present day, such as homeownership rates, incarceration rates, life expectancy, poverty level, education attainment, black-owned businesses, and more

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

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RESOURCES:

Read MLK's 'The Other America' Housing Speech As It Turns 55 Years Old - Inman

King's Dream Remains an Elusive Goal; Many Americans See Racial Disparities

US Census Bureau: Black Americans: A Profile

The US Income Distribution: Trends and Issues

Income of Families and Persons in the United States: 1960

Homeownership-Past, Present, and Future

Black Homeownership Gap: Research Trends And Why The Growing Gap Matters

Unemployment rate 2.7 percent for people ages 45 to 54, 8.3 percent for 16 to 24 in October 2018

The Unfinished March: An Overview | Economic Policy Institute

Examining the Impact of Structural Racism on Food Insecurity: Implications for Addressing Racial/Ethnic Disparities

Household Food Security in the United States in 2020

Obesity - United States, 1988--2008

The History of the MBDA | Minority Business Development Agency

20 Black-Owned Business Statistics for 2021

The Sentencing Project

Grown folks business: Planning for older adults

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 05:00:00 -0400

According to the Population Reference Bureau, over 55 million Americans are 65 or older. And by 2030, 26 states will have over 20 percent of their residents over the age of 65. This podcast is for anyone curious about places and spaces, their community, and how to make it better. So it is only fitting to discuss what it means to age in place, which is staying in your own residence as you age for as long as you can. To do so successfully, older adults need to access necessary services to maintain the quality of life that they choose. Press play to hear:

An overview of life expectancy data based on region and where people are living longer
Successful metrics for aging in place and national rankings
A conversation on mobility and safe stress for older adults

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.

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RESOURCES:

Life Beyond 65: Changing Spatial Patterns of Survival at Older Ages in the United States

PRB: Which US States Have the Oldest Populations?

Milken Institute: Best Cities for Successful Aging 2017

The Commuting Patterns of Older Workers: 2013–2017

Smart Growth America: Dangerous By Design 2021

8 80 Cities: 8 80 Streets Danforth Engagement Report

How-to: Researching your neighborhood

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Happy Holidays! Nimo and Jas are back this week with another "how-to" episode. There are many resources available to explore the world around you from a planning perspective, such as the social impacts and economic functions in a specific place. However, these tools are accessible for everyone. They may empower you to find the answers to your questions about why your neighborhood, town, city, or state is the way that it is today. Press play to hear:

How to use Census data to explore people who live in your neighborhood and their unique identifiers such as age, race, income, and more
Tips for researching the budget and spending in your neighborhood and how they plan for future development
Affordable housing developments and what area median income means based on where you live
Tools that measure inequities, opportunity, poverty, and inclusion

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:

US Census Bureau QuickFacts

Social Explorer (Interactive Data Visualization)

State and Local Finance Data: Exploring the Census of Governments

State Fiscal Briefs

What everyone should know about their state’s budget

State Websites Offer Fiscal Data on Local Governments

Denver: Community Planning and Development

RISE Denver - From Rescue, to Economic Recovery

Propel Denver

Fair Market Rents - HUD User

Income inequality in the U.S. by state, metropolitan area, and county

Measuring Inclusion in America's Cities

Out Of Reach | National Low Income Housing Coalition

US Census Bureau Data Equity Tools

Spatial Equity Data Tool

Government Alliance on Race and Equity

Four Degrees, Four Careers

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 05:00:00 -0400

No two planners are the same from their title, educational journey, and interest areas. Even though Nimo and Jas have a total of four degrees in planning, neither of them works in traditional planning roles. This week, they had the pleasure of interviewing Jasmine Burnett and Michelle Juma to add their perspective on life after studying planning.

Jasmine Burnett is based in Atlanta, GA. Her work focuses on building self-determined and liberated Black communities based on cooperative economics. Jasmine is also a co-founder and co-owner of The Spoons Consultancy, a Black-women-run and staffed creative consulting cooperative.

Michelle Juma is based in Washington, DC, and her work focuses on the full spectrum of affordable housing with expertise in equitable disaster recovery and revitalization. Michelle provides technical assistance to economically challenged rural, urban, and island communities, focusing on housing and community development.

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

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Can you pay my bills?: Renting during COVID-19

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 05:00:00 -0400

The CDC’s eviction moratorium to block the eviction process for tenants who cannot pay rent ended on August 26, 2021. In a public health emergency like COVID-19, this ensures people can quarantine, isolate, and social distance to prevent the spread. This Supreme Court decision spurred national discussion on housing policies for the most vulnerable, financially-strained residents. This week, Nimo and Jas cover the status of wage growth, housing costs (and affordability) as we approach the final weeks of federal emergency renter assistance (ERA) programs and rising evictions in states and towns with little tenant protections. Press play to hear:

Data on gaps between wages and productivity in the last 40 years compared to home and rent prices
Housing affordability as nearly half of renters spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing
COVID-19 Minnesota case study: federal renters assistance and eviction moratoriums

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:

The State of the Nation's Housing 2021

The Productivity–Pay Gap

How Home Prices and Household Incomes Changed Since 1960

HUD Rental Burdens: Rethinking Affordability Measures

Out Of Reach: The High Cost of Housing

Federal Moratorium on Evictions for Nonpayment of Rent

Study: Lifting Of Eviction Moratoriums Linked To Thousands Of Excess Deaths

Expiring Eviction Moratoriums and COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality

RentHelpMN

MN Housing: The Eviction Moratorium is Ending

States lag in distributing rental assistance while millions are behind on rent

NLIHC ERA Spending Tracking

How-to: Make community engagement work for you

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Welcome to season two of the Four Degrees to the Streets Podcast. We missed y’all and plan to deliver more relatable and informative episodes this year. Make sure to subscribe to our email list. Our first “how-to” themed episode covers the basics of how to make community engagement work for you in your neighborhood. The American Planning Association defines civic engagement as the process of working collaboratively with individuals and groups to achieve specific goals. Press play to hear:

Several definitions of community engagement, why it matters, and why the federal government requires input on certain projects
Tips on how to get involved in community engagement if you don’t know where to start
Real-world examples of the community engagement process in action and suggested improvements

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:

CDC: Principles of Community Engagement

Arnstein's Ladder of Citizen Participation

Ladder of Citizen Participation – Organizing Engagement

40 CFR § 6.203 - Public participation. | CFR | US Law

Cheat sheet for getting involved in the planning process

Forms of Community Engagement

NY Times: How to Participate in Politics

HUD: Get Involved in My Community

Open space variance denied for affordable senior housing project

Summary of Community Engagement

A Playbook for Inclusive Placemaking: Community Process

Old Town Road: Conversations on traffic safety

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Hey, y’all! Thank you for a great first season. We’ll be back in Fall 2021 with more relatable urban planning content for the streets. In the season finale, Nimo and Jas dig into all things traffic safety. Specifically, the 4 E’s: Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Evaluation. Data shows that 49 out of 50 states are getting increasingly dangerous, and pedestrian fatalities are up 45 percent in the last 10 years. What policies and programs are addressing this public safety and public health crisis? Press play to hear:

Crash data related to pedestrian fatalities across the country
The importance of investing in engineering and road design that create safer behaviors on the road
Tools to educate all road users about safety
Pros and cons of enforcing traffic safety and disproportionate racial profiling events with Black and Brown people driving, walking, or using transit
A look ahead at the transportation infrastructure funding priorities in the Biden Administration

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:

Dangerous by Design 2021 Update

Federal Highway Traffic Safety Policies: Impacts and Opportunities

Neighborhood Environment, Access to Places for Activity, and Leisure-Time Physical Activity in a Diverse North Carolina Population

Race, ethnicity, class, and protected bike lanes: An idea book for fairer cities

Impact of a youth advocacy policy, systems and environmental change program for physical activity on perceptions and beliefs

Walking While Black

Vision, Strategies, Action: Guidelines for an Effective Vision Zero Action Plan

Vision zero: a toolkit for road safety in the modern era

National Complete Streets Coalition

Fact sheet: The American Jobs Plan

The White House: FY 2022 Discretionary Request

#WeOutside: Climate change overview for the streets

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 05:00:00 -0400

With Earth Day 2021 approaching this month, Nimo and Jas took time to analyze the cycle of climate change. Specifically, the relationship between climate, the built environment, human behavior, and the daily human experience in a world that is getting warmer every day. In recent times, 2015 to 2019 had the top five hottest years on record. And 19 of the 20 warmest years have occurred since 2001. Press play to hear:

A brief explanation of the difference between climate and weather.
An overview of specific human behaviors that lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Such as cement manufacturing or factory farming.
Statistics that prove global temperature rising and extreme events associated with climate change like hurricanes and droughts.
National policy goals related to combating climate change and individual steps you can take to reduce carbon footprints

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:

NASA Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet

How Do We Know that Humans Are the Major Cause of Global Warming?

Human Behavioral Contributions to Climate Change-Psychological and Contextual Drivers

Per Capita GHG Emissions - WRI's Climate Analysis Indicators Tool

Climate Change: Global Temperature

Climate Change Indicators: Drought | Climate Change Indicators in the United States

Extreme Weather and Climate Change | C2ES

NPR: Climate Change Makes Hurricanes Like Laura More Likely

How Climate Change Is Fueling Extreme Weather

White House prepares massive infrastructure bill with universal pre-K, free community college, climate measures

Spencer Glendon at the 2019 Sohn Investment Conference

"Where the Money Reside"

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Happy Spring! This week we have a special treat. Nimo and Jas met up in DC for the first time since starting Four Degrees to the Streets to record this episode in-person. In addition to the audio recording, you can also watch this episode’s full visual recording on our Instagram. “Where the Money Reside” is all about how local governments develop their budget. The budget process determines implementation for policies, plans, and programs, which will naturally impact residents and their quality of life. Press play to hear:

An overview of every fiscal year’s budget process: formulation, legislation, execution, and accountability.
Examples of how cities can incorporate equity into the budget process and accountability reporting.

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

Watch the special in-person episode here.

Watch the promotional video here.

Special thanks to video producer/director @vibesbyjune.

Filmed and recorded at CAMPspace content studio in Hyattsville, MD.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Or send us an email to connect with us!

Resources:

Step-by-Step Activities in the Budget Process

Budget Preparation Procedures for Cities and Towns

Urban Institute State and Local Finance Initiative

NYC Guidelines for Capital Funding

What is the Local Government Annual Budget Process?

An introductory guide to creating local budgets

Are Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports Useless?

Strengthening Local Government Budgeting and Accountability

Budget Cycles

Seattle Racial Equity Toolkit

Seattle and Baltimore: Peer City Exchange on Outcome Budgeting & Racial Equity

City of Austin Equity Dashboard

San Antonio Equity Tool

Sports and the City

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 05:00:00 -0400

If there is one thing most of us can agree on, the professional sports industry is fueled by money. Fan-based revenue is one of the major sources of income, and they need a place to call home. This week Nimo and Jas investigated the impact of sports stadium construction deals on cities, specifically the San Francisco 49ers Levi’s Stadium that opened in 2014. The average cost of an NFL stadium is $1.2 billion. Should local taxpayers and governments be responsible for paying for a portion of the costs? And is the perceived economic benefits of the stadium a valid argument why the public should chip in on the bill? Press play to hear:

The sports economics literature on why or why not cities should invest in sports stadiums.
History of the San Francisco 49ers team, locations, and impact compared to other NFL teams.
A deep dive into the stadium deal between Santa Clara and the SF 49ers, including the initial ballot measure, project costs, and funding distribution by each party.
Alternatives for funding and constructing sports stadiums with less public resources.

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:

How are we funding professional sports stadiums? An overview

Do Economists Agree on Anything? Yes!

The Economics of Sports Stadiums: Does public financing of sports stadiums create local economic growth, or just help billionaires improve their profit margin?

Forbes: Sports Money: 2020 NFL Valuations

Truth in Accounting: Financial State of Cities 2020

Bayview–Hunters Point, San Francisco

National Building Museum: Documenting Crossroads: The Coronavirus in Poor, Minority Communities

Game On: 49ers Stadium Measure Wins Approval – NBC Bay Area

Levi's Stadium: 49ers happy, Santa Clara may be on the hook

Santa Clara Stadium for the 49ers, Measure J (June 2010)

Hidden Subsidies and the Public Ownership of Sports Facilities: The Case of Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara

Santa Clara Stadium Authority Financial Reports

What Can We Learn From Four Stadium Deals That Don't Suck?

Is There a Better Public Financing Option for Building Stadiums?

Gillette Stadium: A Family of Businesses

#SupportBlackBusiness

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Four Degrees to the Streets is excited to celebrate Black History Month with two episodes that focus on Black history, community, and planning. This week's episode features a panel of Black business owners from around the country!

Speakers include Kira Hibbert, based in Philadelphia, owner and partner at 3BL Developers, and real estate agent at Coldwell Banker Preferred.

Basheera Agyeman, founder and owner of SheWrapz, a Ghanaian-American Muslim educator based in Baton Rouge.

We also heard from Justis Pitt-Goodson (Founder/CEO) and Taha Shimou (COO/Head of Design) at BrownMill Company based in New Jersey.

Press play to hear:

Statistics on minority-owned businesses and the significance of Black-owned businesses in the community.
Challenges for Black-owned businesses pre-COVID and present-day and how the speakers overcame them.
Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 and its increased spotlight on supporting Black-owned business. From May 25 to July 1, 2020, there were 2.5 million searches for Black-owned businesses, an increase from only 35,000 searches over the same period in 2019 (an increase of 7,000%), according to a Yelp report highlighting changes in searches for the phrase ‘black-owned.’

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:

Kira's Instagram: Philly Realtor Finds

Basheera’s Instagram: SheWrapz

Justis/Taha: BrownMill Instagram

US Census Bureau: Annual Business Survey

Brookings Institution: To expand the economy, invest in Black businesses

National Bureau of Economic Research: Labor Demand in the time of COVID-19: Evidence from vacancy postings and UI claims

Forbes: Support For Black-Owned Businesses Increases More Than 7,000%, Yelp Reports

Black History, Community, and Planning

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Four Degrees to the Streets is excited to celebrate Black History Month with two episodes that focus on Black history, community, and planning. This week, Nimo and Jas talk with Kristen Jeffers (she/her), also known as The Black Urbanist. Her multimedia platform highlights Black Queer Feminist Urbanist design, planning, and practice. Later this month, episode 6 will feature a panel of Black business owners from around the country! Press play to hear:

Reflections on the development of Black planners and policymakers throughout history using formal and informal education
Diversifying and expanding the AICP certification process
A look ahead at land-use planning development strategies in the Black community during the Biden Administration
20-second hot takes on current planning trends like ride-sharing, Airbnb, etc.

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 Black Urbanist Resources

The Black Urbanist Patreon: newsletter, educational videos, resources

Accredited Planning Program

Wikipedia sites:

Urban Planning

List of urban theorists

List of urban planners

History of Slavery

Benjamin Banneker

Maggie L. Walker - First Black Woman to Own a Bank

Policy Attempts to Remediate Injustice

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Remember episode 1? Nimo and Jas weighed in on federal policies that contributed to the history of racism in the United States. This week’s episode focuses on housing, environmental, and transportation policies that attempt to address past wrongdoings and injustices. These policies are not perfect and come with their own set of challenges; however, they created a foundation for equitable practices. Press play to hear the following attempted remedies:

The Fair Housing Act, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and Inclusionary Zoning practices in major cities.
Title VI, Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898, and examples of local EJ policies.
Urban Mass Transportation Act, creation of the Federal Transit Administration, and Complete Streets.

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:

National Fair Housing: Making Every Neighborhood A Place Of Opportunity

HUD: Inclusionary Zoning and Mixed-Income Communities

City of Atlanta: Inclusionary Zoning

NYC: Area Median Income - HPD

CityHealth: Affordable Housing/Inclusionary Zoning

NYC Zoning: District Guides

Gov. Murphy (NJ) Announces $190 Million in Renovations for Newark Penn Station

Federal Coordination Of Title VI And Environmental Justice

Environmental justice and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act: A critical crossroads

EPA: Title VI and Environmental Justice

NRDC: Local Policies for Environmental Justice: A National Scan

Green Zones Initiative - City of Minneapolis

USDOT: Understanding FTA

US Department of Transportation: BUILD Grants

FY 2020 BUILD Awards

National Complete Streets Coalition

Dangerous By Design 2019

ProPublica: Walking While Black

Seattle Squeeze: People drove less, took transit, and biked more

Mental Health and the Built Environment

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Happy New Year! 2020, COVID-19, and stay at home orders affected mental health for many individuals. How do communities cope when their built environment does not support positive mental health outcomes from a planning perspective? This week we are joined by a special guest, Christie Holland of Gutted Fitness LLC. Gutted Fitness helps black individuals from urban areas make peace with their past, present, and future by providing and preserving safe spaces to be black. Christie uses her background in urban planning, policy, community outreach and engagement, and sales and marketing to lead thought-provoking conversations and action. Press play to hear:

An overview of positive and negative influences of the built environment on mental health.
Physical and mental health statistics for Black populations. How does data tell a story about the history of racial inequality and disinvestment in America?
Hood Politics and how planners can engage communities and meet residents where they are while building trust and meaningful relationships.

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

Or send us an email to connect with us!

Resources:

CDC: Designing and Building Healthy Places

Gutted Fitness: Mental Health

Exercise for Mental Health

Housing environment and mental health outcomes: A levels of analysis perspective

Making Healthy Places: Designing and Building for Health, Well-being, and Sustainability

CDC: Race, Ethnicity, and Age Trends in Persons Who Died from COVID-19

NIH: Major Depression Statistics

Mental Health America: Black and African American Communities and Mental Health

Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

Psychology Today: What Is Collective Trauma?

Association of the Built Environment With Childhood Psychosocial Stress

Racism as a Public Health Crisis

Sat, 12 Dec 2020 12:00:00 -0400

In 2018, the American Public Health Association (APHA) declared law enforcement violence disproportionately affecting people of color and marginalized communities a public health issue. In 2020, following the killing of George Floyd and continued police violence during protests, APHA declared racism as a public health crisis. In this episode, Nimo and Jasmine consider the pros and cons of how states, cities, and counties responded to this declaration and the current state of public health amongst Black and Latinx people and lower-income neighborhoods. Press play to hear:

An analysis of adopted resolutions and declarations of racism as a public health issue. There are over 50 from jurisdictions across the country!
The leading causes of death in the United States by race.
A breakdown of how road design, access to green spaces and groceries, pollution, and environmental racism can impact health outcomes.

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

Please rate and leave a review!

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @the4degreespod.

Or send us an email to connect with us!

Resources:

Bloomberg CityLab: Dozens of Cities Dub Racism as a Public Health Crisis

APHA: Declarations of Racism as a Public Health Issue

CDC: Health Equity - Office of Minority Health and Health Equity

NYC Parks and Recreation

The Trust for Public Land - Park Serve

USDA: Food Access Research Atlas Documentation

LyftUp Grocery Access Program

NYC Planning: FRESH Food Stores

American Lung Association: Disparities in the Impact of Air Pollution

Black + Urban: Signs of Environmental Discrimination

NIH: Storefront Cigarette Advertising Differs by Community Demographic Profile

BMJ: Evaluating the impact and equity of a tobacco-free pharmacy law on retailer density in New York City neighbourhoods

Columbia Public Health: Law Limiting Tobacco Sales in Pharmacies Could Exacerbate Neighborhood Disparities

NYC Health: Ban on Tobacco Products in Pharmacies Goes into Effect in January

The History of Racism in Urban Planning

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Welcome to Four Degrees to the Streets! In the first episode of the podcast, Nimo and Jasmine define urban planning and a brief history of racism in the United States. Press play to hear:

An analysis of the American Planning Association (APA) statement on Righting the Wrongs of Racial Inequality (published May 2020).
Are some of the most influential urban planners racist in their policies? Think Robert Moses and Jane Jacobs.
A breakdown of federal policy decisions that altered communities based on race. Specifically the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, the Federal Housing Administration Underwriting Manual, and racial zoning as a tool to segregate neighborhoods.

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Resources:

U.S. Census Bureau: The Great Migration

The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration

APA Statement on Righting the Wrongs of Racial Inequality

The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York

NPR: 'The Wrong Complexion For Protection.' How Race Shaped America's Roadways And Cities

The Interstates and the Cities: Highways, Housing, and the Freeway Revolt

The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America

From the Ground Up: Environmental Racism and the Rise of the Environmental Justice Movement