POLICIES TO IMPROVE THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT:A PHOTOVOICE CASE STUDYYanique Redwood, PhD, MPH303 Community Coalition/The Dirty Truth Campaign
Activate America: Statewide Pioneering Healthier Communities
February 18, 2010
Outline
Photovoice OverviewThe Dirty Truth CampaignPolicy HighlightsAdvocacy
Photovoice
“Photovoice blends a grassroots approach to
photography and social action. It providescameras not to health specialists, policymakers, or professionals, but to people
withleast access to those who make decisionsaffecting their lives.” (Wang, 2005)
Photovoice: Goals
To enable people to record and reflect their community's strengths and concerns
To promote critical dialogue and knowledge about personal and community issues through large and small group discussions of photographs
To reach policy makers
Photovoice: Goal # 1
To enable people to record and reflect
Photovoice: Goal # 2
To promote critical dialogue Contextualize using SHOWeD freewrites
What do you See here? What is really Happening here? How does this relate to Our lives? Why does this problem or strength exist? What can we Do about it?
Photovoice: Goal # 3
To reach policymakers
Reaching Policymakers
Neighborhood Planning Unit V (NPU-V)
94% AFRICAN AMERICAN
DISPROPORTIONATE HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES
Pictures Shape the Agenda
Trash Construction
Debris Vacant
Properties Displacement
Trash Lot
Walk of Shame
Building Up or Tearing Down?
Nice House for Bad Use
What’s the Buzz?
The Dirty Truth Campaign
To improve the quality of life of NPU-Vresidents by eradicating the presence and effects of the health and safety challenges that are embedded in the built environment
The Dirty Truth Campaign
To establish community based control ofvacant and/or blighted properties to beredeveloped into affordable housingopportunities for current and displacedresidents of NPU-V
The Dirty Truth Campaign
To work with and on behalf of the mostvulnerable and marginalized in our
communityto create a platform for truth-telling thatuncovers and transforms the policies andsystems that undermine their ability toachieve a good quality of life
WHERE WE WORK• Properties that
are within 500 feet of schools, parks, and recreation centers.
• The map to the right illustrates the targets of our code enforcement strategy.
How Big is the Problem?
In 2007, ~20 residents participated in a counting project using a coding scheme and maps
Key finding: 1296 vacant or unoccupied properties in NPU-V, representing 43% of all properties (underestimate)
The number is likely bigger given the recent foreclosure crisis
Policy Highlights
NVPC Recommendations Cease the sale of tax liens to third party Full utilization of the Atlanta/Fulton County Land
Bank Build the capacity of local community-based
development corporations Enact inclusionary zoning laws Create a land trust to ensure lasting affordability
Other Recommendations Hire residents locally to rehab vacant properties
Mobilization
NDAG Counting Project Meetings with CBOs/WE CARE Pledges Calling Campaign Earth Day Actions Parks Middle School Photovoice Project Gallery Exhibits/Audacity of Hoops Media Advocacy Living Room Chats
Key Successes
Reduce open and vacant properties in NPU-V
Influence a foundation partner to focus on purchasing vacant properties
Vacant Property Commission