CityLab Catalyst: Business Innovation and Social Impact

// fieldwork

curiosities and connections with Atlanta's most important water source, the Chattahoochee River.

March 7, 2025 | Week 7 | Shared Prosperity

What is the role of education? What is the role of educators?

I've worked in education since 2011, and this question comes up time and time again because I don't think the role of an educator is always clear. Educators do more than teach state standards—they instill curiosity and expose students to experiences and material that enrich their lives.

For those of us working in communities with additional challenges, our role goes even deeper. Educators become mentors, guiding students and serving as examples of what's possible beyond their immediate environment. Education, in these cases, is more than instruction—it becomes an outlet, a gateway to exposure and experiences that some students may not otherwise have.

My charter network is full of educators who go above and beyond to ensure our scholars understand that they are loved, cared for, and supported. These educators believe in possibilities and recognize that exposure creates access—access that can shape students' futures in ways they may never have imagined.

One such educator is Mr. Traxler, a Special Education Science instructor and urban farmer. He approached our leadership team with a bold idea: to revive our school garden, which had died during COVID and was never restored. More importantly, he wanted students to be part of the process.

The Garden Club now meets after school three days a week for nearly two hours each session. Since launching this school year, the program has been a tremendous success, with scholars fully engaged in hands-on learning. As the year progresses, students have begun taking field lessons across the city, learning from urban farmers and community organizations to deepen their understanding.

This past Friday, I had the privilege of joining the group on a visit to the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA)—a nonprofit organization located just a mile from our school. WAWA partners with the City of Atlanta to preserve and restore green spaces, operating with the belief that a healthy environment creates a healthy community. Their mission is to foster a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable West Atlanta.

While waiting for our scholars to arrive, I had the chance to explore the site and speak with the staff, including an Environmental Scientist and the Environmental Education Programs Manager. Shockingly, despite having lived and worked in this community for years—planning numerous field lessons—I had never heard of WAWA before. That realization made me reflect on the gaps in community awareness and access to resources.

During their dinner break, I asked one of our scholars who is observing Ramadan if she wanted to take a walk as a way to get away from the temptation to eat. She thanked me for asking and we went on our way to explore the nearest trail. We talked about the fungus growing on trees, how to tell the age of a tree and why some of the trunks on the ground were decomposing. We found tags on trees and came up with ideas about what they meant - could it be the count of the trees on the property, an old marker or maybe a way to identify the trail. We found initials carved in a tree and we read monument markers, flyers, and talked about the Atlanta Science Fair. I told her that I was proud of her for choosing to fast during Ramadan and that it would be a spiritual experience full of many blessings. Can you guess what she hopes her blessing to be? She wants to live in a treehouse. 

Key Takeaways from my Visit to WAWA:

• Stronger connections are needed between schools and community organizations to align goals and maximize impact.
• Schools can support organizations like WAWA by integrating field experiences into the curriculum. The outreach coordinator even suggested a partnership with the local school district to make visits to outdoor education centers a mandatory part of students' learning experiences.
• Urbanization is rapidly changing our city's landscape. WAWA's property once had a creek and a lake—both now dried up due to neighborhood construction and diverted underground waterways.
• Our children are craving opportunities to be outside. I spoke to several of the scholars who attended the field lesson and asked them what they thought. They shared their excitement picking broccoli and being able to measure one of Atlanta's oldest trees. They were excited to kick around leave and hike a trail. They seemed to be excited to just be kids.

What is the Role of Education and Educators?

Yes, education is about teaching standards, fostering curiosity, and providing enriching experiences. But beyond that, an educator's role is to create meaningful connections between learning and the real world. When traditional learning doesn't cover all the necessary topics, educators step in to fill the gaps—bridging students to the resources, experiences, and knowledge that shape their understanding of their role in society.

These connections lead to future careers. They spark curiosity. And they create moments—like the one I experienced on this field lesson—where students gain access to information that forever changes how they see themselves, their community, and their place in the world.

Most importantly, education is a collective responsibility. Everyone in a community plays a role in developing its children. While not everyone is an educator in a formal sense, we all contribute:

• The local store owner educates students on healthy eating and business management.
• The neighborhood café teaches them how to count change correctly.
• Nonprofits connect families to critical resources.
• Businesses and corporations have a social responsibility to invest in their communities—whether through STEM programming, mentorship, or volunteer initiatives.

As Atlanta continues to grow and evolve, we must ask ourselves: How do we ensure that everyone continues to play a role in shaping the lives of our children?

The choices we make today will define the challenges they inherit tomorrow. 

What will our legacy be?

February 28, 2025 | Week 6 | Empowered Citizens

Atlanta Beltline - The People's Project

The Atlanta Beltline is breaking down barriers and connecting people, communities, and cultures that have been intentionally segregated for generations. We recognize the injustices that have shaped our city's past, and we're committed to righting those wrongs. By fostering economic opportunity, creating affordable housing, and advocating for equitable transit solutions, the Beltline is paving the way for a more inclusive and accessible Atlanta. As we move forward, we acknowledge the Muscogee Creek and Cherokee Peoples, the original stewards of the land on which Atlanta stands.

What started as an architecture and urban planning master's thesis by a Georgia Tech graduate is now known as "one of the largest and most ambitious urban redevelopment programs in the United States, igniting Atlanta's transformation into a global beacon of equitable, inclusive, and sustainable city living." according to the Atlanta Beltline's website.

The beltline encompasses 22 miles of walkable trails and also includes playgrounds, skate parks, splash pads, bike trails, and more. The project was imagined to revitalize areas of the City and repurpose the forgotten train tracks. The goal was to "connect create vibrant public space that would connect neighborhoods and job centers, revitalize previously industrial lands, and spur economic development" (atlantabeltline.org).

This is the new Atlanta. We don't know where we are at anymore. You can't recognize anything anymore... - Community Member

The Atlanta Beltline is run by an organization that has an agreement with the City of Atlanta to develop trails, affordable housing, transit, and parks within the city limits. The organization receives private and public funding to purchase land and build it out according to the Beltline's master plan. 

I had the opportunity to talk with a Project Manager who has worked for ABI for nearly 14 years. In the coming weeks, ABI is planning to break ground on a park located 0.3 miles away from the school where I work. Over the last few years, our school has worked closely with ABI on the projects surrounding our neighborhood. I can appreciate how considerate the organization is when working within communities. 

ABI hosts regular input meetings for community members to provide their feedback on the projects that will be impacting their area. Community members are engaged in the development process along the way, and their input is used to develop spaces in their neighborhood. Staff members from ABI also visited "legacy" neighbors to ensure their voices were also heard in the planning process. It was shared that community members take a lot of pride in their neighborhoods, some even moving to specific areas because of the Beltline plans. She shared that there is a noticeable difference between community members who own property in the area and those who rent. For those that rent, it is common that they do not show up to the planning meetings or engage in the process, while owners are more vocal. This led me to wonder - do community members believe their voice doesn't matter because they are not permanent fixtures in the community or could other barriers exist?

The Beltlines website has a wealth of information. I can appreciate the level of transparency, access, and clearly defined mission with resources and plans to back it up. One resource I found most beneficial for my fieldwork was the Socioeconomic Data Explorer. Using this map, you can view Atlanta under different layers depending on the type of information you want to know. I was interested in vehicle availability, income, and unemployment. The factors would provide insights on potential stressors or barriers faced by members of the communities I was focused on. 

• Many rely on public transportation
• Unemployment is higher than in the more northern portions of the city
• The median income is between $22,198 and $59,953.

Our city is changing quite rapidly and probably faster than anyone could have predicted. More than ever, it is important for citizens to be engaged with projects such as the Beltline as these large-scale projects are having a profound impact on Atlanta's infrastructure, gentrification,  affordable housing, and so much more.

The communities that I studied over the semester are very active in the Facebook neighborhood groups. On this platform, people share upcoming events, garner support for community business, share contacts for trusted service vendors, sell/give away items, and BOLs. Neighbors are staying connected with one another without having to be in physical proximity. 

Here are a few screenshots I collected:

February 21, 2025 | Week 5 | Resilient Communities

The Library - A community's most underutilized resource.

My classmate and I decided to meet at the library this week - just two miles from the Chattahoochee. As I approached the entrance, I felt a deep sense of appreciation. It was refreshing to have a space where we could sit comfortably, share perspectives on our project, and connect without the pressure to buy coffee. I was also grateful for the wealth of resources the library offers to our community. There is something for everyone!

How did we forget that the library is a place to build social relationships? I have countless childhood memories of the library. In first grade, I remember entering the circular library at the center of the main building of Claudia Landeen. There were two rows of stadium seating, and above us, we were surrounded by books. Almost every week, our librarian would read a story aloud, and afterward, we'd have the chance to check out a book of our own.

In high school, the library became my refuge when my friend group started to divide, leaving me feeling out of place. I would escape into magazines instead. A large globe sat in the center of the library; to the left were magazines like Time and National Geographic, and to the right, were newspapers such as the Stockton Record and the New York Times—empowering symbols of endless possibilities and a bright future. Outside of the library and classroom, where are print-rich spaces now? What types of information are displayed? What is being promoted?

Every time I visit the library, I'm reminded of why I love it so much. However, I've accepted that I SHOULD NOT be allowed to check out books. 😆 I struggle with returning them on time, and it wouldn't be fair to keep a good book from someone else. I'm perfectly content with enjoying the space and browsing the books while I'm there.

Potential survey questions to understand how community members are accessing the library:

• when was the last time you accessed your local library?
• what was your purpose for visiting the library?
• how frequently do you visit your local library?
• are you aware your local library offers free workshops?
• are you aware your local library may offer free tickets/passes to local attractions?

Interview Exerpt with Ashley, an Atlanta Librarian

This week, my fieldwork happened more organically than I could have anticipated. 

Saturday's Agenda

• Pilates 
• Coffee Shop with a friend + work time
• CityLab Meet-Up

Welcome to my happy place - Hapeville, GA.

February 14, 2025 | Week 4 | Healthy People

According to the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management's 2022 Annual Report, the department employs nearly 1,300 staff members to ensure Atlanta's water is safe, clean, protected, and accessible to residents.

This week, I had the opportunity to interview a member of the Office of Water Treatment and Reclamation (OWTR) team. She provided valuable insights into how our water is treated, where it comes from, her role in the process, and the challenges she believes the Chattahoochee faces.

The Office of Water Treatment and Reclamation is responsible for ensuring that drinking water is clean and wastewater is properly treated. The team oversees the operation and maintenance of equipment used in the treatment process, ensuring that pumping stations function efficiently. Additionally, they use a variety of chemicals and additives to maintain water quality at safe and appropriate levels.

In our conversation, the team member, shared a few key insights that has led me to further research and curiosities. Here are a few key items that were discussed that I plan to further research:

• She suggested that I spend time looking into the videos and information shared by The Chattahoochee River Keeper on Instagram
• How do we keep our water source safe from illegal dumping and contamination? Is it necessary to restrict the hours of access to the Chattahoochee to reduce accessibility for dumping?
• How do we encourage the use of non-motorized activities in the Chattahoochee to reduce pollution? 
• How does the reduction of pollution, dumping, and contamination hinder the health who rely on Atlanta drinking water as their main source of hydration? 
• What types of campaigns exist / should exist to educate citizens on pollution and illegal dumping?

Our conversation mainly focused on how water flows down from the Blue Ridge Mountains and the process it undergoes to become safe for drinking. She mentioned that during peak season, the City of Atlanta is authorized to draw up to 55 million gallons of water per day for treatment. As you can imagine, any threat, infrastructure failure, or breach in the treatment process could significantly disrupt the millions of Atlantans who depend on the Chattahoochee River and the Department of Watershed Management for clean water in their homes and businesses.

A few recent breaches in the process are listed below:

• Big Creek Water Reclamation Facility: In June 2023, a malfunction led to the release of approximately 13 million gallons per day of partially treated sewage into the river, causing dangerously high E. coli bacteria levels. This incident prompted a temporary closure of a 15-mile stretch of the river to protect public health. (chattahoochee.org)

• R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation Center: In March 2024, this facility was found to be discharging pollutants, including elevated levels of E. coli, into the Chattahoochee River. The discharges violated the Clean Water Act and posed significant risks to public health and the river's ecosystem. (Waste Disaster Digest)

Although much of the onus of providing clean water may rely heavily on the DWM and the Army Corps of Engineers (they manage the dams that allow for river flow), there is also a great responsibility that community members and business have to ensuring we are doing our part to minimize pollution and taking care of our earth.

The diversity of people enjoying the trail was surprising to me. There were families with babies, families wading deep into the creek to fish, and dogs splashing through the water, filled with joy and excitement. One pup even cried when his dad told him it was time to get out.

I watched a father and his young daughter, probably around nine years old, both dressed in waders, slowly go deeper into the creek, casting their lines in hopes of catching one of the Chattahoochee's finest—likely catfish, carp, or bass. Two other families, both Black, came to the riverbank to fish as well. But after realizing they didn't have the right equipment for this section of the river, they packed up and left within 10 minutes. This observation leads me to allow for an additional perspective to consider as I think about what access looks like for children from varied backgrounds and experiences.

The creek served a variety of purposes for each individual or group. As I began walking around the area, I began to note how people were using the creek to enhance or improve their mental health or state of being. Just around a large downed tree trunk, a woman was meditating and resting, a couple enjoying a picnic, and another who pitched a small tent, there was even a family going for a jog along the bank.

Now I was curious, how does nature enhance/improve your mental health?

In an article by the American Psychological Association, time spent in nature has the following impact:

• Spending time in nature can act as a balm for our busy brains. Both correlational and experimental research have shown that interacting with nature has cognitive benefits
• In a review of the research, Gregory Bratman, PhD, an assistant professor at the University of Washington, and colleagues shared evidence that contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress (Science Advances, Vol. 5, No. 7, 2019).
  
• In a meta-analysis, Alison Pritchard, PhD, ABPP, at the University of Derby in England, and colleagues found that people who feel more connected to nature have greater eudaemonic well-being—a type of contentment that goes beyond just feeling good and includes having a meaningful purpose in life (Journal of Happiness Studies, online first publication, 2019).

Nurtured by Nature... we must also Nurture Nature. 

The below excerpt in the article is helping me to refine and shape my research and innovation focus. 

• Revised Question: How might we develop programming and experiences to promote healthy connections between nature (Chattahoochee River) and BIPOC communities?

What would the SDGs for small businesses or communities look like if green and blue spaces were designed in partnership with BIPOC communities? Could we positively impact our environment and the overall well-being of the community by providing increased access to these spaces?

I would love to hear from you! Send me a message!