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Anticipating The Fall Line: A Plan For Equitable Trail-Oriented Development On Commerce Road, Eric King

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

Once completed, the Fall Line trail will provide a 43-mile active transportation route through Central Virginia from Ashland to Petersburg. Three miles of the trail’s alignment follow Commerce Road in Richmond’s Southside. As Manchester continues to undergo rapid change, trail-oriented development (TrOD) offers an opportunity to accommodate growth and transform the industrial corridor into a mixed-use destination as envisioned by the city’s master plan. While TrOD within the study area represents both economic and community development, relatively low residential property values and median incomes within surrounding neighborhoods warrant proactive measures to mitigate potential displacement pressures. Drawing from precedents set by …

Richmond Watts For Families: An Action Plan To Bring Multifamily Community Solar To The City Of Richmond, Daniel P. Rafferty

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

Seeking to advance community solar energy for multifamily residents within the City of Richmond, Virginia, the Richmond Watts for Families (WFF) is a plan to guide the city in developing robust multifamily community solar program(s). Community (shared) solar has emerged as an alternative approach to traditional rooftop solar energy by allowing customers to subscribe to a portion of a solar array that is shared among other subscribers, which has the opportunity to increase participation by marginalized communities and those currently without the financial or physical means to install solar This plan aids the city in implementing its recently adopted climate …

The Influence Of Flavor On The Abuse Liability Of A Heated Tobacco Product And Its Feasibility As A Menthol Cigarette Substitute, Augustus White

Theses and Dissertations

Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) purport to expose people that use cigarettes to fewer of the harmful or potentially harmful constituents of tobacco while still delivering reinforcing amounts of nicotine (Auer, Concha-Lozano et al., 2017). An exemplar of the HTP class, IQOS, and its three varieties of “HeatSticks” have been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as “Modified Risk Tobacco Products” (MRTP). However, as the FDA is planning to ban menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes, questions remain regarding whether characterizing flavors should be permitted in HTPs (FDA, 2022e). New evidence regarding HTP abuse liability (i.e., the likelihood …

Particl Plant Medicine, Tommye Dean

Theses and Dissertations

In an era marked by a growing recognition of mental health as a critical component of overall well-being, unconventional approaches to therapeutic interventions have gained prominence. One such intervention coincides with the importance of setting the intersection of psychedelic therapy and interior design, creating a synergistic environment for emotional healing and self-discovery. This thesis ventures to delve into the uncharted territory where the realms of altered states of consciousness and thoughtful spatial design converge, seeking to discover the profound impact this collaboration may have on the therapeutic and design landscape.

Public Transit Agency's Management Strategies During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Xueming Chen

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Like the rest of the USA, the Greater Richmond, Virginia (RVA) region severely suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic impacts in multiple areas. The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) took big hits in its system transit ridership in fiscal years (FY) 2020 and 2021. In response to this emergency, GRTC immediately implemented bold management strategies to protect its operators and riders, serve essential trips, adjust operating schedules, offer free transit services, and broaden funding sources. As a result of implementing these emergency management strategies, GRTC successfully overcame the pandemic crises and embarked on the road to full recovery in its transit …

Advancing Social Equity And Promoting Black Self-Determination: A Community Garden Opportunity Plan For Richmond, Va, Alessandro U. Ragazzi

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

Urban agriculture provides a variety of economic, environmental, and social benefits. Recognizing these benefits, the City of Richmond administers a community garden program known as “Richmond Grows Gardens.” Through this program, underutilized city properties are permitted for use as community gardens. However, an emerging concern is the potential for community gardens to perpetuate underlying structures of social and racial inequality through displacement and social exclusion. Considering these concerns, this plan investigates the implementation of community gardens in Richmond and establishes a methodology for ranking existing and available community garden sites based on the social and racial demographics of their surrounding …

Health Disparities In Afro-Latinx Populations: Chronic Health Diseases, Linguistic And Cultural Competency, And Inequities And Barriers In Richmond, Virginia, Roma A. Kankaria, Avani Hariprashad, Henzee Machado, Teerth Patel, Anubhav Thapaliya

Undergraduate Research Posters

Afro-Latinx individuals face health disparities that differ from those faced by white Latinx individuals. This literature review was conducted by the Collective Corazón—a VCU student organization, mentored by Dr. Indira Sultanić, that addresses Latinx health equity through service and advocacy—in order to examine the underlying causes of Afro-Latinx health disparities. Skin color is a predictor of health, life expectancy, and quality of life for many Latinx individuals. On average, Afro-Latinx individuals in particular have less access to education, fewer financial freedoms, and poorer health outcomes. The Afro-Latinx community also describes higher rates of discrimination compared to white Latinx individuals. As …

The Reconstructing Randolph Project, Latoya Gray-Sparks

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

The Reconstructing Randolph Project is an in-depth historical case study of one of the last thriving and intact Black neighborhoods in Richmond to be disrupted by urban renewal. The case study utilizes a Black geographical lens, historic preservation practices and counter cartography to illuminate the rich history and people who made up the Randolph neighborhood. The plan also outlines policies and strategies that can be implemented to 1) amplify and preserve the history of Randolph and (2) protect long-term Black residents who wish to remain in a city that is quickly changing due to gentrification.

Mending Art Classrooms: An Exploration Of The Benefits Of Collaborative Artmaking For Underinvested Black Youth In Richmond, Virginia, Jazmine M. Beatty

Theses and Dissertations

This arts-informed research study explored the experiences of local community artists and educators working to radically transform and heal the experiences of underinvested Black students in Richmond through collaborative arts engagement. Through a series of seven one-on-one interviews with Black teaching artists in the Richmond community, I was able to uncover how collaboration has and can continue to improve the well-being and livelihoods of Black students in Richmond. Also, by tapping into the local Mending Walls mural project, I was able to make a tangible connection between the Richmond community, art, and collaboration. An analysis of the interviews led to …

A Participatory Group Process To Collect And Disseminate Covid-19 Needs Assessment Data, Areebah Ahmed

Undergraduate Research Posters

The Richmond, VA COVID-19 Needs Assessment Survey (RVA CoNA) was created in March 2020 to identify behaviors and needs related to COVID-19 in Richmond area adults ages 18 and over. Results are being used to inform support, strategic efforts, and educational outreach of local community organizations. The purpose of this study is to (1) summarize the process used to develop the RVA CoNA, (2) summarize preliminary survey results from a second phase of data collection as well as initial feedback from community partners, and (3) summarize initial conclusions and results dissemination strategies.Community partners and researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University jointly …

Introduction, Ebony Walden, Meghan Z. Gough

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

Introduction to the book Richmond Racial Equity Essays by the editors Ebony Walden and Meghan Z. Gough. The book is a collection of essays on creating racial equity in Richmond, Virginia.

Black And Brown Centered Placemaking Rooted In Identity And Ownership, Ebony Walden

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author outlines ideas for advancing racial equity in Richmond through creating neighborhoods and communities rooted in Black and Brown cultural identity, while supporting Black and Brown ownership and entrepreneurship.

The Bus Should Be Free, Wyatt Gordon, Faith Walker

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The authors advocate zero-fare transit for the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) bus system.

Spaces To Breathe, Ryan Rinn

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author's vision is of a racially equitable Richmond that looks like every resident having the mental and physical health benefits of green space easily walkable from where they live. He outlines ideas for achieving this vision, with Black and Brown-led onboarding of new parks in neighborhoods and communities where no greenspaces exist within walking distance. Community-led creation of public open space is the inverse of annexation; it is an anti-racist land use strategy that empowers residents to build and enjoy places for the people.

When Black [Girls’] Lives Really Matter, Angela Patton

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author outlines ways Richmond can support Black women and girls. Her vision of an equitable Richmond is one where we see, hear, and celebrate Black girls. It’s one where we experience Black girl “magic,” and we give them every opportunity and resource to achieve and thrive.

Incarceration And Violence: Time For A Change, Ashley Diaz Mejias

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author explores the racist underpinnings of the prison system and states that if we, as a nation and as a local community, are serious about addressing the lasting harms of mass incarceration and reducing our prison population, and if we are serious about accountability and public safety, we have to address the relationship between incarceration and violence.

“Si, Yo Hablo Español”: Empowering Spanish-Speakers With Culturally And Linguistically Accessible Services, Gabriela Telepman

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

Based on her experience with the agency Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center, the author defines an equitable Richmond as a city that recognizes the needs of the Spanish speaking population and commits to meeting those needs by providing adequate Spanish language services, with service providers service providers must act with empathy and imbed a bilingual, bicultural, and trauma-informed approach within their organizations.

The Case For Meaningful Language Access, Tanya M. González

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

Through her experience working with the immigrant community in Richmond, the author makes the point that the Richmond metropolitan area needs a comprehensive immigration integration policy that centers language access services and that is implemented by localities, nonprofits, and other human service providers to begin to move towards racial equity for immigrant families.

The Dream And Reality Of An Afro-Latina: El Sueño Y La Realidad De Una Afrolatina, Shanteny A. Jackson

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author explores the state of Latinos and Afro Latinos in Richmond in the context of her goal of creating culturally sensitive spaces for dialogue and celebration of Latino ancestry, history, and culture; promoting leadership that reflects the community being served; and establishing equitable distribution of power.

The Role Of The Business Community In Creating A More Equitable Richmond, Brian Anderson

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author discusses the recommendations of the task force formed by ChamberRVA, the regional Chamber of Commerce for Greater Richmond, following the murder of George Floyd. The task force defined three primary strategic imperatives for the business community, which they believe will create a more equitable Richmond region. They believe the business community needs to: 1) Adopt more equitable policies and processes and make a commitment to embed diversity, equity and inclusion into their organizations. 2) Develop initiatives that elevate students of color to create more pathways to viable careers and economic mobility. 3) Remove barriers in the supplier ecosystem …

Toward A Vision Of Racial Equity In Richmond Schools, Taikein Cooper, Genevieve Siegel-Hawley

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The authors present their vision for racial equity in Richmond schools, including real integration, enabled by stronger and more inclusive advocacy. It is based on their collective personal and professional experiences, research, and best practices from around the country. They believe these strategies will lead us toward greater racial equity in Richmond and the education all of our children deserve.

A Rich Education, Benjamin P. Campbell

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author outlines the background of Richmond (and Virginia)'s educational inequity, stating that the most direct route to racial equity in metropolitan Richmond is what he calls a Rich Education for all, by way of Rich Schools. He demonstrates how poverty must be addressed to bring about racial equity, by first addressing educational equity, which must address educational wealth.

There Goes The Neighborhood: Combatting Displacement In Richmond’S Historically Black Neighborhoods, Mariah Williams

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author examines the national trend in gentrifying legacy Black cities and neighborhoods across the country (wealthy, white families moving to non-white, predominantly Black neighborhoods). As the city of Richmond undergoes significant transition, achieving racial equity means implementing policies to combat involuntary displacement of Black residents and to preserve the culture embedded within historic Black communities. Creating an equitable Richmond means being intentional about promoting policies that combat involuntary displacement, ensuring that Black households truly have a choice in remaining in their communities and that they can reap the benefits of reinvestment as much as their white counterparts.

Expanding The Geography Of Opportunity And Ownership, Maritza E. Mercado Pechin

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author, a city planner, defines an equitable Richmond as a city where all Richmonders have equal or equivalent access to goods, services, status, rights, power, and amenities. She outlines four ideas to help Richmond expand physical and ownership access: rewriting the zoning ordinance; reconnecting the city; establishing programs that increase generational wealth; expanding engagement and education of city planning.

Neighborhood Self-Determination And The Vision For Racial Equity, Michael H. Smith

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author outlines his ideas of how values of the Black Baptist church can inform the development of racial equity in methods of engagement, decision-making, and economic investment in Richmond neighborhoods. These values are respect of elders, solidarity in the pursuit of joy, trust and love of one's neighbor, and determination for collective liberation.

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: 24 Visions For Racial Equity In Richmond

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: The Book

This ebook of 24 essays is a component of the Richmond Racial Equity Essays project. The idea was inspired by and modeled after The Just City Essays: 26 Visions of Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity, an ebook of 26 essays edited by Toni L. Griffin, Ariella Cohen, and David Maddox and published by J. Max Bond Center on Design for the Just City at the City College of New York, the Nature of Cities and Next City.

Using The Just City Essays as a model, urban planner and consultant Ebony Walden collaborated with Dr. Meghan Gough from VCU's Wilder School …

Reframing Equity: The Gift Of Being A Giver, Damon Jiggetts

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author focuses on the power of giving, seeing equity as being achieved when those perceived as having little power, resources, or gifts can give of themselves in ways that are not only meaningful to someone else or to the community, but also in ways that evoke a sense of pride, self-worth, and value in themselves.

Housing Is The Root Of Wealth Inequality: Building An Equitable Richmond, Heather Mullins Crislip

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author examines how the dramatic differences in homeownership between white and Black households are not largely a function of income, as many often assume. There are structural barriers, both historic and contemporary, that deliver this result. An equitable Richmond would give all households the opportunity for stability and growth. The first step in this would be to have housing available that people can afford, distributed across the region to allow for choice, and opportunities for sustainable homeownership. A thriving Richmond would also break down racial and economic segregated housing patterns to create an integrated community.

Between Two Litanies: Equity And Public Education In Richmond, Va, Dennis Williams Ii

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author examines white backlash (white resistance to and prevention of racial and educational equity), calling it a social mechanism as persistent as the struggle for racial equality itself.

Reparative And Equitable Practices And Partnerships, Meghan Z. Gough

Richmond Racial Equity Essays: Individual Essays

The author's vision of a racially equitable Richmond is one in which resourced institutions, such as higher education, invest in reparative and equitable practices that respect lived expertise and are built on partnerships. As we rethink our roles and responsibilities, we should invest in reparative and equitable planning practices that include 1) acknowledging structural racism as a societal problem; 2) prioritizing lived expertise; and, 3) building long-term and mutually-beneficial partnerships.