Regional + City Planning student Iman Abubakar recently published an op-ed in the OU Daily about transportation inequities in Norman. Abubakar’s article, “Dismantling transportation barriers to socioeconomic equity,” explores accessibility and frequency issues with Norman’s public transportation system.
The local public transport is mostly utilized by low-income families, people with disabilities, and international students who do not have access to cars. According to a survey by Go Norman Transit, 53% of public transportation riders make less than $25,000 a year, and 54% don’t own cars. Despite these statistics, the neighborhoods where many of these citizens live do not have bus stops nearby, leaving them without a reliable form of transportation.
According to Abubakar, another issue with Norman’s transportation system is its limited hours, as it only runs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the week, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. The low frequency of buses limits those who are dependent on public transport to take them where they need to go, decreasing their standard of living. For instance, these citizens would have no form of transportation to attend night shift jobs, nighttime classes, or access any healthcare facilities once the buses stop running.
Abubakar’s op-ed was written as part of a Regional and City Planning course, “Planning with Diverse Communities,” which is taught by Dr. C. Aujean Lee.
Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to announce the promotion of Ph.D. student Rafael Hernandez to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Gibbs College of Architecture Assistant Professor Dr. Ladan Mozaffarian, in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture and Design, has co-authored a new book chapter with Josh Newton and Andrew Born, published in De Gruyter Handbook of the Geographies of Race.
Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design (PLAD) alumni Trey Ingram, AICP recently spoke with current PLAD student and graduate media assistant Molly Strobel to share his experiences with the Regional and City Planning program and current work with the Toyota Mobility Foundation.
