The City Reader - Suburban Sprawl

Colleges are often referred to as small communities; Georgia Tech is no exception. More interestingly, according to the criterion established by Suburban Nation, it is an ideal neighborhood. First of all, its walkability is suburb. A vast majority of students walk to class and in most areas, barriers prevent automobiles from driving through campus. As for the traffic that circulates around the perimeter, frequent traffic light transitions reduce speeding and allow pedestrians to cross streets easily. The wide sidewalks and small radius of street corners make walking the number one mode of transportation amongst most Tech students.

For those that need to get across campus quickly, the Stinger, Stingerette, and Tech Trolley are public transportation options. Not only do these mass transport vehicles offer a convenient mode of transportation, they reduce the volume of green house gases that might otherwise be produced by cars. As a result of the reduction of personal vehicles, parking lots are a rare sight. Circulating around campus every ten to fifteen minutes, they are a reliable and efficient service.

Another design characteristic of campus is the close proximity of vital resources. Classes, restaurants, and activities are all within walking distance. This fosters a more cohesive community because cars are not required. This results in fewer streets and more green space. These areas encourage people to congregate and become involved with the community. Consequently, this also deters criminal activity and improves the security of campus.

The sense of community may be strong because the absence of noisy vehicles and abundance of green spaces, but Tech is also home to a many cultures. A large percentage of students come from other countries and add to the cultural diversity. In addition, there are several cultural groups that encourage others to join and learn about their backgrounds. Amongst the many cultural groups, Tech encourages numerous interests. Whether you’re interested in swimming, math, or robotics, there is a club for it.

Overall, Georgia Tech reflects many of the qualities of an ideal community as described in Suburban Nation. Excellent walkability, public transportation, and diversity are just a few of the features of Tech that make it a wonderful community.

-Kevin