Architectural Exclusion: Discrimination and Segregation Through Physical Design of the Built Environment by Sarah Schindler opens up discussing how some of the man-made features such as bridges created difficulty for certain individuals, typically the poor and the people of color, buses could not pass through these low built bridges which were designed to keep those individuals from accessing the beach. The separation from the wealthy and the poor were created through highways that help prevent integration, walls and fences.

In the opening we discuss Atlanta’s MARTA train and the opposing views on expanding into the suburban areas which would restrict people of color from accessing jobs in those areas. This article discusses the many subtle but clear ways that the environment has constructed the division between the wealthy and poor population through physical design. This contributes to separation of economic status, inequality and exclusion of and for the poor people.

In part one we discuss architectural exclusion and how we never tend to give a second thought at why buildings or park seats are created the way that they are. We think of them as social norms but in actuality there were masterminds at work giving meaning to every detail that we bypass without a blink, constraining our behavior through design. We discuss how architecture is never really thought of as regulation. We go deep into detail about the powerful and meaning role that architectural design plays in our society and creating barriers for access and integration. We also discuss the importance of not understating the significance behind space, place and mobility and how easy it is to get away lawfully with these architectural designs because of the less visibility to lawmakers and courts. Because lawmakers sometimes turn their cheeks to this form of regulation, architectural design can be very powerful with nothing or no one to oppose it.

We also discuss how physical barriers were created to exclude the population from access of certain areas. Of course we cannot create a law that states were poor or colored people can and cannot go but with architectural designs we can make it physically difficult without anyone questioning the architect’s intentions. We also discuss the genius idea of sidewalk design, which I always imagined was strictly for the safety of the pedestrians, but as I find out today sidewalks or the lack of sidewalks in some neighborhoods was not a mistake or some sort of unfinished design but actually an intentional and premeditated attempt to prevent people from crossing streets or walking through the neighborhoods.

Local governments also create exclusionary designs through the community. Some of these barriers are intended to create privacy and protection as well. We talked about the traffic diverter in Ohio which was named the “Berlin Wall for black people” by people in Cleveland.

We discussed the placement of transit stops, highway routes, bridge exits, roads infrastructure as well as dead ends, confusing signage and residential parking permits. In closing we discuss how difficult and unsafe some of the architectural designs make it for those less fortunate to be able to enjoy the community life that they are purposely barred and excluded from.