Walking to a Place You Belong: Exploring the Impact of Walkability and Historical Factors on Durham’s Black Wall Street

Abstract

This project investigates the significance of walkability and historical factors, such as redlining, Jim Crow laws, and Durham's Urban Renewal Project, and their impact on the emergence and demise of Durham's Black Wall Street. Additionally, the study examines how these factors contributed to fostering a sense of community and pride within the Black community in Durham. The study utilizes a GIS-based analysis and a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Story Map that includes historical maps and directories from Durham to visualize and analyze the spatial distribution of businesses and community resources in the Black Wall Street area. The study's results suggest that walkability played a crucial role in the success of Black Wall Street and that historical factors, such as redlining and urban renewal, contributed to its decline. However, despite these challenges, the Black community in Durham fostered a strong sense of community and pride, which has continued to shape the city's culture and identity. Link to Part 2 ArcGIS Online Story Map: https://arcg.is/0e8Sbv