Activating Columbia Road: Reframing a Missing Link

The primary methods for this project included:
• Research and Literature Review
• Document Analysis and Interviews
• Case Studies
• Mapping
These methods informed an in-depth review of
existing conditions, past planning projects, and
community outreach. With the understanding
that the surrounding neighborhoods may have
experienced “survey fatigue,” we chose not to
seek further community input for the purposes of
our report. Instead, we turned to those who had
previously engaged with the corridor to understand
their findings and any actions their work may have
inspired.
Research and Literature Review
Our online research and literature review identified
existing conditions along the corridor including
demographics, streetscape, environmental justice,
public health, placemaking and public art, current
development and planning projects, and mobility
contexts.
Primary Documents:
1. Fairmount Indigo Planning Initiative: Corridor
Plan
2. Boston Green Links
3. Go Boston 2030 Vision and Action Plan
4. Fulfilling the Promise: Community Building and
the Emerald Necklace
5. Imagine Boston 2030: A Plan for the Future of
Boston
These documents were produced by planning
agencies and community organizers that previously
identified needs, visions, and goals for Columbia
Road. By reviewing the online documentation
and reports related to these documents, and
by conducting interviews, as described below,
our team was able to identify previously utilized
practices for engaging and communicating with
those living along Columbia Road.
We conducted a series of semi-structured
interviews with key contributors from each of the
five primary documents. This process allowed us to
gather data on the motivations, visions, and goals
of each of these primary documents.
Document Analysis and Interviews
The majority of our research focused on five primary
documents that were identified in partnership with
LSA as the most comprehensive and relevant plans
or projects relating to Columbia Road.
San Pablo Avenue
Oakland, CA
Fountain Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Existing Conditions
Mobility
Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA
EJ & Public Health
Placemaking
Reserach & Literature Review
Document Analysis
and Interviews
Case Studies
Mapping
Figure 10: Research Methods
Activating Columbia Road: Reframing a Missing Link
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