Written Assignment 4: Sustainable Cities

This assignment requires you to write a clear, well-organized paper (500-750 words) which responds to the prompt provided below and demonstrates you have read the material in the modules.

First and foremost, we are grading your comprehension of the course material. To get a good grade, you must demonstrate that you have read and understood the content from the modules we have covered so far.

Second, we are grading for critical thinking and analysis. How well do you form and support your arguments with evidence from the course material or external sources?

Third, we are grading for clean and quality writing. This means your paper should be well-written, thoroughly proofread, answer all parts of the prompt, and cite and format all sources correctly (see course Orientation for guidance on the APA style we expect you to use in this class).

Written Assignment Instructions

Select and research an urban neighborhood with which you are extremely familiar, preferably one you have visited a few times. In addition to your own experience with this urban neighborhood, you may also use Google Earth or Google Street View to analyze the location. Using course content and three outside sources, analyze this neighborhood from a social and environmental perspective. Please do not select State College for your analysis.

You must cite at least 3 reputable outside sources that do not include the course modules for this assignment. At least one source must be from the past 12 months. For help evaluating what constitutes a reputable resource, please consult this guide from the Penn State libraries(link is external).

After you have selected your urban neighborhood, write a 500-750 word paper which answers the following questions (divided into two parts):

1. Analysis of the urban environment
   1. Briefly state your connection to this neighborhood. Have you lived in this neighborhood, have friends/family from the area, etc.?
   2. What are the main attributes of the built environment of this neighborhood (e.g., size/existence of sidewalks; width of streets; height/size of buildings or homes)?
   3. What are the main environmental attributes (i.e., proximity to greenspace or water; habitat)? Is there a lot of vegetation in this neighborhood?
   4. How do people use this neighborhood? Is the neighborhood full of pedestrians, or are most people inside cars or buildings? What groups might feel welcome, and which not, in this neighborhood? How easy is it to access this neighborhood by different modes of transportation?
   5. Does this neighborhood have historical or cultural significance? Was it part of a redlined (or green) neighborhood? (See: https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/#loc=5/39.1/-94.58(link is external))
2. Provide at least two strategies that you have learned about in the course module or from your independent research that might make this a more socially and environmentally sustainable neighborhood.
   1. How do these two strategies support social equity or environmental sustainability?
   2. How feasible are these strategies for this place?
   3. What challenges would this neighborhood face in enacting these changes?

You must engage at least three course concepts in your paper. Remember engaging a course concept means defining that concept and explaining how it helps you think about the theme of your paper. Please bold the concepts you engage in your paper.  Additionally, remember to cite all external sources properly.

Review the grading rubric before completing your assignment.