Class Presentation Reviews 1 

The presentations for this section of chapters was very informative and well put-together. 
Manuel Pastor's section was interesting, highlighting inner cities, poverty, and transportation through the lens of Latinx communities. I found the distinction of this communities issues' interesting. They also suffer from trying to find jobs, but it's a working poor class that has low wages rather than not being able to access a job. The group presenting this chapter also noted that Latinx communities are more removed so they can't get the benefits of smart growth as fast. 
I think my group did a decent job at presenting the information from our chapter. Reading this information, I found it interesting how William Johnson connected urban issues to the Civil Rights Movement, and his push to emphasize strong communities in order to make a difference. The idea of residential segregation upset me, knowing people struggle to thrive because of segregation to this day. Nashville was a neat place to study, looking at it geographically to see sprawl and suburbanization. The group did a great job presenting the case study and the issues people in Nashville face expansion/population growth. 
The 6th groups' case study of a rural, segregated area in SC posed interesting questions as to what people do about transportation and housing when they are in such far-removed places? When development takes place, a lot of land is lost, and the environment is degraded, adding new ideas of segregation and racism to the mix when considering rural areas- how to allocate pollution, who needs to move to build more suburban neighborhoods, etc.
I really liked the 7th chapters because I take Food Justice with Professor Harrison. Hearing again the struggles of finding food near homes, that is also well-priced and healthy, is always a struggle for lower-income households, especially without private transportation. As the group pointed out, this leads to obesity and other health issues because healthy food isn't easily accessed. This disproportionately affects communities of color, who suffer these health and food issues more often because of their location, income, and transportation means. 
The groups did a great job highlighting these points and issues, as well as making clear what the author of each chapter was trying to convey, and the solutions. 

Urban/Master Plan for Hackettstown

The Master Plan for Hackettstown has been updated a few times across the years. The 2008 Plan mentions in sections 12C that "Greater emphasis is being placed on the importance of pedestrian safety and connectivity of sidewalks and paths by State and Federal agencies." This means that the town is considering various forms of transportation, including walking, and the NJ Transportation Planning Authority highlighted a need for "walkability improvements." This town has also been considered eligible for State and Federal grants for road, transit and pedestrian improvements, some of which have already been completed. The 2013 Plan wants to "To encourage the location and design of transportation routes which will permit the free flow of traffic while discouraging location of such facilities and routes which will result in congestion or blight." Additionally, "Guiderails, pipe railing, or other appropriate barricades, shall be designed and placed at drainage structures, streams, embankment limits, curves and other required locations as specified by New Jersey Department of Transportation," showing an emphasis on safety. They also wanted a more pedestrian-oriented area that includes civic services and commercial options, along with housing and better access to public transportation. This plan also wanted to include more safety for bicyclists, as well as public transport for public places, residences, and shelters. This will help residents stay connected with easier access to various locations across the town.  

Hackettstown Advocacy

My final paper will focus on my hometown of Hackettstown, New Jersey. The All Aboard group and the Hackettstown Historical Society are both advocates for the town, helping to improve it through various networks. Since Hackettstown has many historic buildings across the area, the Historical Society helps protect them and research them to offer information to visitors. They curate artifacts, protect houses, and maintain cemetery records, helping to keep the unique historic background of Hackettstown prevalent. All Aboard is affiliated with Main Street Hackettstown, and is partially funded in part by the Hackettstown Town Council. This group "is, in many respects, similar to a Special Improvement District." It's goal is to enhance the downtown area, "and has extended loans to property owners and lent design assistance that has resulted in improvements to commercial structures in the downtown area." They also help investigate the quality of different areas around town and determine if it needs some restructuring or improvements. "The design standards should focus on preservation of existing structures and ensuring design compatibility of new structures and renovations with what already exists. Standards should be sensitive to cost concerns of property owners." (Master Plan)

Environmental Justice 

I've taken the Environmental Justice class offered here at Drew with Professor Harrison, and it is illuminating in what it shows about how society and the environment intersect. Issues of the environment cannot be separated from human activities- we shape nature as much as it influences us. However, we can also respond to the environment, and these responses are where environmental justice comes in. Groups of people are forced to bear the burden of environmental issues more so than others, due to religion, race, gender, and class. 
Environmental Justice is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as "fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies." I agree with this statement- every group of people should bear the burdens and reap the benefits of our environment equally. Environmental injustices are when these disadvantaged groups suffer the burdens more without any of the benefits coming their way. This could be placing people of color in more flood-prone areas, building nuclear power plants near people of color, allowing the white/wealthy the privilege of larger lawns far away from air, water, light, and noise pollution. http://www.ejnet.org/ej/ highlights specific examples of environmental racism that are played out across the United States, including waste management, exposure to toxins, and atomic bomb testing. Not only are pollution, overharvesting, and environmental degradation horrible for the planet in general, but additionally, people from underprivileged groups have to bear the brunt of these issues when they may not even be the ones contributing the most to the problems. Balancing the issues and the benefits among everyone is Environmental Justice, and needs to be fought for. 

Blog #15- An Inconvenient Truth

Watching An Inconvenient Truth, it was great seeing how well the elements of climate change were arranged in a way everyone can understand. Al Gore, being charismatic and informed, was really helpful in showing the impact humans have on the earth, such as the chart that went off the screen, the ice melt, desertification, the coral bleaching, the flooding, and the heat waves. He put them in a very human and urgent perspective, showing that things need to change now or we won't have a choice. Having so many different sources, like clips of Al Gore, videos, statistics, different research elements, and clips of other politicians, showed how connected everyone is to this issue, and that it is necessary to discuss and act on now. 

Copenhagen 

Denmark has multiple sustainably-oriented cities. One of which is Copenhagen, surrounded by water and green areas like parks, was the European Green Capital in 2014. This city in particular aims to be the fiest captil that's CO2 neutral by 2025.

As of now, Copenhagen has many large green spaces, clean air and water, many bicycles, and a variety of organic food. 71% of hotels in the city are eco-friendly certified, with plans for water, laundry, waste, energy, and food. Organic food is prevalent, with 17% of total food in the city being organic. 75% of food in public institutions (daycare, nursing homes, schools) is organic. 

Many people use bicycles in Copenhagen. People bike to work, school, and stores, and this isn't income dependent. Only 29% of the homes there own a car, but there are more bikes than people even own a car. In comparison, there are more bikes than inhabitants in Copenhagen. 

These goals and realities help show the sustainability of a city in Denmark, where people's health and happiness coincide wirh environmentally friendly, sustainable practices.