MOBILITY UNBOUND
Imagine a society where everyone is free to move safely and with self-determination; where everyone flourishes socially, culturally and economically, unrestricted by structural barriers within transportation systems.
Achieving this vision of mobility unbound requires a collaborative approach that is grounded in principles of mobility justice. This framework begins with an understanding of the ways that transportation infrastructure and practices have historically excluded or harmed groups of people, particularly communities of color, in order to heal the harms of the past and build transportation systems that work for all.
Building systems that work for everyone requires that we acknowledge the unjust histories of mobility and economic prosperity in American cities.
A mobility justice approach to transportation planning includes facilitating dialogue, funding the participation of people and community organizations who are directly affected, and establishing partnerships that lead to the shared decision-making that is necessary for meaningful repair.
By taking a mobility justice approach, government agencies and elected officials can advance transportation policies, programs, and projects that bring community-driven visions to life.
Putting East Inman Street Back Together
The Community Connectors project in Cleveland aims to improve quality of life and increase economic opportunity in the College Hill and Blythe Oldfield neighborhoods by building local capacity to engage in decision-making about implementing federally-funded infrastructure improvements.
The
The College Hill and Blythe Oldfield neighborhoods, with a combined population of 3,097, are cultural hubs of Cleveland, TN, with College Hill serving as the historic center of Cleveland’s Black population. It is composed mainly of low-income families, with 31% having an annual household income of $15,000 or less. About 44% of the population identify as persons of color, with 16% identifying as Latinx [1].
Residential areas form the backbone of both neighborhoods, with a mix of housing types - mostly single-family homes and some multi-unit complexes. Commercial activity is primarily concentrated along Wildwood Avenue and East Inman Street, which serve as main roads connecting the neighborhoods. Along these roads, a few local businesses provide goods and services to the residents, as well as vacant buildings and lots. The neighborhoods are home to an elementary school, numerous community-based organizations, many religious institutions, a recreation center, three parks, and three neighborhood community gardens.
The
A busy railroad line separates the College Hill and Blythe Oldfield neighborhoods from central Cleveland, TN. The Inman Street underpass, a low-clearance structure beneath the rail line that connects College Hill to downtown Cleveland, is prone to flooding and bridge strikes. Other crossing areas at grade are frequently blocked by rail traffic. Moreover, during the urban renewal era, road widening and “improvement” projects removed minority-owned businesses and homes from the neighborhoods, and the area has not yet recovered.
The
In 2021, Cleveland received a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant from the U.S. DOT to develop plans for a new east-west connector to improve pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle needs between College Hill/Blythe Oldfield and downtown Cleveland. In 2023, DOT announced an award of $27.5 million as part of the Railroad Crossing Elimination Project. This effort involves constructing a connector bridge over Third Street and improving the Inman Street underpass. These infrastructure projects offer an opportunity to reconnect Cleveland physically, economically, and socially.
The Community Connectors program brings together a multiracial coalition of organizations in Cleveland to improve quality of life and economic opportunity in these neighborhoods, build connections across neighborhood boundaries, and improve the capacity to participate in local decision-making processes about the future of these neighborhoods and the Inman Street corridor. As Cleveland invests in improving its physical infrastructure and connectivity across the busy rail line, the Community Connectors project seeks to accomplish the following goals:
Improve the capacity of neighborhood organizations and residents to participate in local decision-making processes about planning, mobility, community connectivity, and pedestrian improvements
Develop partnerships with City and public agencies to improve accessibility and multimodal transportation options for College Hill neighborhood residents
Build the organizational capacity of HBCHANA, NUCARS, and City Fields to develop programming to build community and improve quality of life and health
Create an economic development resource guide that can be used to implement economic development strategies and develop an economic development plan along the Inman Street corridor
Create lasting cross-racial, cross-community partnerships to coordinate efforts and attract resources to improve the College Hill and Blythe Oldfield neighborhoods
The
The Cleveland Community Connectors team includes representation from the following organizations:
LEAD — Historical Black College Hill Area Neighborhood Association
Each City Snapshot offers local historical context related to mobility justice. The MOBILITY LEGACIES are organized according to five themes.
These MOBILITY LEGACIES do not provide exhaustive histories of the cities. Rather, they point to harmful policies and decisions and, subsequently, opportunities for repair and reconnection.
