GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ON PUBLIC TRANSIT
UCLA graduate capstone project with San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
April 2023
Graduation Capstone Project
Location: San Francisco, CA
Individual Work
As part of the UCLA Master of Urban and Regional program, it is required to submit a graduation capstone project that is individual work with a client. My capstone project is working with San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency on their Safety Equity Initiative. My capstone research question asks how transit agencies can improve riders’ safety by addressing and analyzing the spatial distribution of gender-based violence across San Francisco.
The SFMTA Safety Equity Initiative has created a gender-based experience survey with questions about Muni riders’ experience of gender-based violence in transit environments. Survey categories include travel patterns, travel experiences, reporting, impressions of safety, and the respondents’ demographic. This study analyzes the results from February 16, 2023, till March 17, 2023. Within a month of launching the survey, there were 1557 responses. I will be displaying the findings and recommendations of the project.
Part 1: Overview
Here is the overview of the gender, race, and basic travel patterns of survey respondents.
73%
of respondents ride Muni everyday or a few times a week
45%
of respondents always travel alone when using Muni
48%
have access to a private car that can be used for transportation in SF
Part 2 - Riders’ Experience
53% of respondents feel the least safe “at a bus stop”.
Female riders experienced the most gender-based violence “on the bus/train”
“On the bus” is the most common place to be harassed among female and male riders.
For transgender and gender non-binary riders, the total number of incidents “at a bus stop” is more common.
Part 3: Heatmap of Gender-based Violence Incidents
Heatmap of Total Incidents
Heatmap of Incidents Experienced by Women & Gender Minority
Heatmap of Incidents Experienced by Male Riders
Part 4: Muni Routes and Stops Incidents Density Map
We see which routes and stops have the densest gender-based violence clusters. Something to note is that incidents count more than once since it takes a buffer of 100 meters from a Muni route.
STAY PAST FIVE
Transportation Plan of Media District, CA
February 2023
Transportation and Design Studio
Location: Burbank Media District, CA
Group Members: Christine Bustillos, Pearl Liu, Deja Mccauley, Krystle Yu, and Jin Zhang
With the current condition analysis, our team asks, “How do we create a vibrant space that serves those who are already in the neighborhood and come to the neighborhood, and how do we get them to stay”! Specifically, how do we get them to Stay Past 5 pm? Is there adequate infrastructure for people to stay or visit Media District at night? Our goal is to create a vibrant and engaging mixed-use commercial-residential corridor that will serve as the heart of the Media District and entice current district workers and visitors to stay in the area beyond work or past 5 pm.
We propose five principles to address this goal: on the heart of the district, land use changes, affordable housing, transit improvements, and public realm enhancements. One of the principles is to establish multi-modal transportation for people who live, work, and visit the Media District at all times of the day. With the premise that LA County Metro is developing the North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project, we propose adequate BRT station infrastructure/amenities facilitate successful transit use. Other than BRT-specific improvements, we encourage enhancing pedestrian connectivity through bike lane extensions, intersection improvements, and the addition of crosswalks. In addition, it creates a safe and convenient environment for people to stay past five through road configurations on major corridors.
WESTWOOD
Poster and map of Westwood, LA
January 2022
Course: Advanced Visual Communication
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Individual work
In Advanced Visual Communication, a course offered by UCLA Master of Urban and Regional Department, I used Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign to create a poster and a map of a neighborhood in Westwood, LA. The scope of the area is about six blocks on Westwood Boulevard. At the same time I wanted to focus on the open spaces in Westwood, and one example is Westwood Park. For the neighborhood poster (please refer to page on the right), I used various tools and effects on Adobe Photoshop to create a collage of food, demographic and architecture of Westwood. The goal is to design a poster that could bring out the neighborhood’s vibrancy as it is filled with the energy of UCLA.
For the neighborhood map (please refer to page three), I imported the map from OpenStreetMap and edited it through Adobe Illustrator. I highlighted the six city blocks on Westwood Boulevard as they are the focus area throughout the project. Through these digital graphics, I hoped to build a narrative of how UCLA as an educational institution impacts the surrounding space.
TEHRANGELES
Neighorhood portfolio of Tehrangeles in Westwood, LA
October 2022
Course: Visual Communication
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Individual work
In the Visual Communication course, a course offered by UCLA Master of Urban and Regional Department, I used Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign to create a digital portfolio of a neighborhood in Westwood, LA. The scope of the area is about three blocks on Westwood Boulevard, and it is on a strip of commercial establishments. The neighborhood is called Tehrangeles, and I used Adobe Illustrator to design the neighborhood logo (please refer to on the right). The green color scheme and bubble letters bring out the modern aspect. Meanwhile, I also printed Tehrangeles in Farsi and Persian design to present the integration of traditions and modernism.
The purpose of this neighborhood portfolio is to, through sharing the art and food establishment, I could honor and dignify the Persian root in the land of Los Angeles. On the first page of the neighborhood portfolio (please refer to page five), I incorporated pictures, a map, and descriptions to bring out the history of Tehrangeles. The map is now centered on the next page and has become the spine of the whole layout. Around it are descriptions of art and food establishments. There are also icons, which I designed through Adobe Illustrator, next to the names of these establishments.
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to little Persia in Westwood. We are going to 7 of my favorite food & art establishments on Westwood Boulevard, including some well-known Persian ice cream shops and painting & calligraphy places where you can learn! From sunrise to sunset, we will see the different dynamics of Tehrangeles. This tour guide will help you to know where to go at what time! Get involved with the community, ask questions; they all have so many remarkable stories to tell.
