Equity in the Built Environment: An Urban Design Analysis of Transit-Oriented Development in Downtown Redmond, WA.

Abstract

Metropolitan areas in North America are growing as a result of favorable economic conditions, but this unexpected boom has exacerbated issues like traffic congestion, air pollution, land consumption, and housing affordability. To better accommodate growth and promote sustainability, some cities have implemented novel theories concerned with urban form and mobility, like Transit-Oriented Development, Complete Streets, and Walkability. However, in the quickness of development, pursuing social equity is overlooked. This research explores how urban design can support transit-oriented development by integrating equity considerations into the built environment. First a literature review explores the definition and manifestations of social equity in the built environment, and best urban design practices for transit-oriented development. An analysis framework is then developed and applied to precedent cases in Hillsboro, OR, Arlington, VA and Oakland, CA and a case study in Redmond, WA. Additionally, a walkability survey of urban design qualities at the micro-scale level was performed in selected streetscapes in Downtown Redmond. The analysis revealed that cases with better urban design attributes exhibited more social equity qualities: accessibility, community, safety, enjoyment, environment, wellbeing, opportunity, and prosperity. Urban design supports transit-oriented development by incorporating the human experience into the built environment. The methodology and the case study application serve as an example of how urban designers and transportation planners can integrate urban design considerations into the built environment to promote social equity.