UTA Research Develops Index to Address U.S. Housing Informality and Inequities
The Journal of Planning Education and Research (JPER) has published a groundbreaking article co-authored by Ariadna Reyes-Sanchez, Ph.D. an Assistant Professor in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA) at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). The article, titled "An Index to Identify and Classify the Spectrum of U.S. Peri-Urban Informal Subdivisions", advances critical research on housing informality, environmental justice, and transportation poverty within the United States.
The publication is part of a larger research initiative that Dr. Reyes-Sanchez began when joining UTA. With a strong focus on addressing the growing challenges of housing informality, this work marks a significant step toward bridging urban planning issues in both the global north and global south. The study introduces a comprehensive index for identifying and classifying peri-urban informal subdivisions in the U.S., providing a critical tool for policymakers, planners, and researchers.
The research sheds light on informal housing patterns that have long been overlooked in U.S. urban and suburban landscapes. These subdivisions often reflect systemic challenges, including transportation poverty and environmental inequalities, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations. By developing a systematic index, the study provides actionable insights to urban planners, policymakers, and community leaders seeking to address these intertwined challenges.
The full article, "An Index to Identify and Classify the Spectrum of U.S. Peri-Urban Informal Subdivisions," is available online through the Journal of Planning Education and Research. Access it here: https://doi.org/10.1177/0739456X241294232