PROUD TO JOIN RAISSA FERNANDEZ TO HIGHLIGHT UNIVERSAL DESIGN DURING A NACTO WALKSHOP TOUR OF LITTLE HAVANA

THE EVENT WAS PART OF DESIGNING CITIES 2024: MIAMI-DADE

I was thrilled to join Raissa Fernandez of Healthy Little Havana for a tour highlighting walkability, transit and mobility for all this week.

It was part of the National Association of City Transportation Officials annual meeting, hosted in Miami this year.

The NACTO Designing Cities Conference brings together 1,000 officials, planners, and practitioners to advance the state of transportation in cities across North America.

Healthy Little Havana is a local nonprofit that actively co-designs -- with other residents and partner organizations--  a dynamic Community Action Plan that addresses the root causes of poor health and health inequities. 

Currently HLH focuses on: housing, healthcare access, education to employment, and food and public space.

Led by Raissa, our tour had more than two dozen top professionals from across the U.S.

We highlighted:

Sidewalks too narrow for people with disabilities – that ironically cover more than a city block adjacent to the accessible entrances to a city services center and performing arts hall.

The three-lane, one-way couplets (Flagler westbound/SW 1^st Street eastbound, SW 7^th Street westbound/Calle Ocho eastbound) that are very dangerous to cross for people with disabilities, children and elderly residents.

The lack of shade canopy in East Little Havana. The transit stop where the group joined the tour – has zero shade despite hosting two (bus and trolley) major transit shelters.

The threat of over development that is both robbing Little Havana of its rich architectural heritage, but also shrinking the supply of affordable housing in one of the most rent-burdened cities in America.