Alternative Title

Sustainable Development of The Past is Now The Future

Abstract

Mixed use is the integration of multiple different uses of buildings and spaces in one geographical area. Mixed use is widely accepted by urban planners to enhance the safety and community cohesion of an area, leading to social sustainability. Mixed use can be formed through the implementation of historical processes and political actors influencing urban design. I use three different cities as my case study of difference, Copenhagen, Washington D.C., and Sevilla to view if their form of mixed use, and also their form of bike infrastructure, is affected by these two independent variables. While analyzing each city’s historical implications and how political actors may affect it, I find that Copenhagen’s bike infrastructure has been affected by both independent variables. D.C.’s bike infrastructure was only affected by historical processes. Lastly, Sevilla’s bike infrastructure was only affected by political actors' influence on urban planning. Though mixed use can be formed by both historical processes and political actors influencing urban planning, both are needed to make a truly socially sustainable city.

Advisor

Haider, Erum

Department

Environmental Studies; Political Science

Disciplines

Comparative Politics | Environmental Studies | Infrastructure | Urban Studies and Planning

Keywords

Historical Processes, Political actors, Social Sustainability, Infrastructure, Bike lanes, Livability, Walkability, Urban Design, Urban Planning, Mixed use, Cities

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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