In the Denver suburb of Aurora, nonprofits are using 'mobile public spaces' to reach refugees settling in the autocentric community.
Erica Dorn reports on efforts underway in Aurora, Colorado to find innovative ways to provide social services in dispersed, auto-dependent suburbs that are becoming increasingly diverse. With a population that speaks over 160 languages, the community, according to Dorn, reflects the future of the American suburb. But suburbs are also experiencing a rise in poverty rates and an increasing number of residents that rely on social services that are often scarce in suburban areas.
Organizations like Project Worthmore are creating decentralized service hubs that can provide access to more of Aurora's refugee and immigrant populations. Casa de Paz, a nonprofit serving immigrants released from ICE detention, recently launched Casa on Wheels, a "mobile welcoming center" that greets asylum seekers just outside the ICE detention center and provides essential supplies like clothing, food, and assistance in accessing support programs.
Advocates point out that these are stopgap measures, but that the goal of inclusive, sustainable suburban communities will require a deeper commitment to and investment in stable affordable housing, transit-oriented development, and good jobs. As Dorn notes, "While expanding mobile offerings is essential, looking ahead, suburbs must invest in infrastructure, economic development, and placemaking that build true communities for new and old residents alike."
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With more people moving away from central cities, we have the chance to avoid past mistakes and redesign the American suburb to be less car-centric and more diverse.
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The Colorado Demographer's Office is projecting big changes for the demographics of the suburban counties and cities surrounding Denver—even as overall growth for the region is expected to slow.
What Trump Gets Wrong About America’s Suburbs
The Trump administration’s talk about protecting the suburbs is based on misrepresentations of who really lives in suburbs and what these communities need.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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