Inwood, J. F. Constructing African American Urban Space in Atlanta, Ga. Vol. 101 No. 2  2011 April

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joshua_Inwood/publication/264258354_Constructing_african_american_urban_space_in_atlanta_georgia/links/56432e1008ae9f9c13e02616.pdf

In this geographical review, Inwood explores the connections of urban space and racial identity through the redevelopment place of Big Bethel AME Church, where they focus on the racialization of place from the perspective of those who live, work, and organize along Auburn Avenue. The plan is to turn an adjacent city block into a mix-used-development.

The author constructs open-ended interview with the people that work, live, and organize, city leaders, and bureaucrats responsible for the urban development. He also looks at the history of the street, where it is seen that Auburn Avenue is the home to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference that was founded by Dr. Martin Luther King.

The purpose of this article is to show the connections between urban space and race and how it is made intentional. The author refers to Auburn Avenue to as a “black counterpublic” place that was not allowed in the public sphere. Black people created their own environment where they knew they wouldn’t be discriminated against.

I chose this article as an alternative to Sarah Schindler’s  “Architectural Exclusion: Discrimination And Segregation Through Physical Design Of The Built Environment.” In her article she mentions that streets are built to keep certain people such as the poor and blacks, where as Auburn was created to bring African Americans together to ensure them a comfortable environment.