One of the most energizing parts of our work is connecting with students who are committed to making cities more accessible and inclusive for all.
We collaborated with urban planning students at the College of Environmental Design at the University of California as they studied the redevelopment of the Ashby Bart site east lot. We helped students understand the context and importance of disability-forward design at this site, centering on the role of accessibility in creating more sustainable, connected communities. Our Housing Development Manager, Louisa, shared about our work and was a resource to students during the course.
Alongside staff from the Berkeley Center for Independent Living, we attended the students’ midterm and final presentations to offer feedback on how a disability-forward approach can be integrated into every stage of planning and development. Final presentations took place at the Ed Roberts Campus, a site with deep roots in disability history, as part of the Inclusive Cities Showcase, which brought together two Berkeley classes to share ideas on how to make our cities more accessible.
We’re grateful to work with and support the next generation of planners in designing a future where everyone belongs.
