Identifying Community-Centered Infrastructure and Programming Needs in Charlotte 

Community-Identified Interventions for Improving Pedestrian Safety and Mitigating Urban Heat

The Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan envisions the creation of ‘‘10-minute neighborhoods’’ in which residents have access to daily services and amenities within a short, non-automobile trip of their home. Although necessary for social and economic mobility, access to basic resources and services is often limited by available transportation options in historically underinvested communities. Our objectives with this study were to: (1) Share specific safety and infrastructure concerns experienced on a daily basis by residents in underinvested communities; (2) Identify community-driven interventions that could help to mitigate transportation and accessibility challenges identified by residents. In conversation with residents, we also explored safety and infrastructure concerns relevant to increasing threats of extreme heat to better understand challenges and potential solutions. 

The study is focused on three Charlotte corridors experiencing rapid growth and development: Central/Albemarle, North Graham/North Tryon, and South Blvd. Central/Albemarle and North Graham/North Tryon were selected because they are formally designated as Corridors of Opportunity, a City of Charlotte initiative focused on increasing investment in affordable housing and economic development. These historically underinvested areas are majority low-income communities of color. The South Blvd corridor was selected because it meets similar criteria according to the City of Charlotte’s Equitable Growth Framework.

CHARP affiliate faculty Dr. Katherine Idziorek and Dr. Michelle Zuñiga conducted a total of six focus groups in the three communities to learn from the observations and lived experiences of residents in these areas. The results identify community assets in each study area, including local parks, greenways, schools, health centers, and community centers; key pedestrian and cyclist safety concerns, including high-speed traffic and increasing experience of crime; infrastructure challenges such as a lack of sidewalks and crosswalks; and concerns related to extreme heat, including discomfort while walking and a lack of shade, keeping many inside. 

This work was conducted via a partnership between UNC Charlotte and the City of Charlotte’s Department of Planning, Design, and Development, with support from several community partners, including the Latin American Coalition, Harris YMCA, Atrium Health , Galilee Ministries, Charlotte East, and the North End Community Coalition. The resultant report (linked below) concludes with a summary of community-identified interventions to guide the City of Charlotte in reaching its goal of achieving 10-Minute Neighborhoods and to better serve residents of underinvested urban communities. Interventions include tree planting and tree canopy preservation; expanding and improving sidewalk infrastructure; increasing lighting to enhance safety and security at transit stops; and adding crosswalks.