BYU Social Development Tour

Long list of references for those curious enough to know where the information came from. Huge thanks to the many researchers, institutions, and journalists who are interested in the same content that I am!

Libraries as an important community gathering center and resource for children. The importance of city legacies and historic preservation. What impact do you want to have in your community?

En route from intersection of Freedom Blvd/500 North to the front of the Provo Library. Discussion questions: 1. Did the area you grew up in experience economic& population growth, stagnation, or decline? 2. What features did you have in your neighborhood or city that positively or negatively affected your development? 3. Have you seen any children on this tour so far? If so, where were they? What were they doing? 4. If you were designing a perfect neighborhood for children, what would the built environment look like? What kind of community building opportunities would there be? 5. IF you could make improvements to the areas we have seen in Provo so far, what improvements would you make? Why? & What actions would you need to take to make that kind of change happen?

This audio will take longer than walking the street. Pause to look at the different buildings and surroundings to get the full experience of this episode. Discussion on Provo's economy, real estate development perspectives, capitalism, and gentrification.

From 500 West to Freedom Boulevard, learn about how socioeconomic status is not the most important factor in childhood outcomes. Discussion on the importance of social efficacy and engagement in the neighborhood, as well as family patterns and attitudes. Introduction to Provo economy and preparation for buildings we will see on Freedom Boulevard.

Walk alongside 500 West as you consider how students get to and from school, how traffic affects children, and how to create safer and more enjoyable streets for pedestrians and cyclists.

Enjoy this lovely and interesting park as you consider what elements attract visitors to parks and how well-used parks benefit communities. William Whyte on trees, food, street, sun, water, sitting, and triangulation.

Follow the sidewalk from behind the Rec Center, around the tennis courts, and past the south/front entrance of the Rec Center. The audio will not last as long as the walk, feel free to answer discussion questions or come up with questions of your own. Discussion of "3rd place" for children and why they are so important in social development. What were your third places?

Xeriscaped path connecting remnant neighborhood to the rec center. Design balance of private and public spaces. Critical analysis of what makes streets safe vs unsafe.

This episode audio will take longer than the walk, feel free to pace and explore around the area for duration of the episode. Discussion of child migration and the paradox of the outer suburbs. Critical analysis of how simple built environment aspects such as fences, mailboxes, garages, basketball hoops, flow of traffic, and sinks can impact childhood socialization and collective efficacy.

Critical view of green spaces. Jane Jacobs on, "More Open Space".

Displacement of neighborhood children to develop parking lot and vacant lot that has remained vacant for years as of this recording. Henry George quote on population growth and land value. Discussion of homelessness and housing insecurity for children.

Discussion of perspectives to consider in studying neighborhood affects on children, introduction to collective efficacy (shared & engaged practices and norms in the monitoring of children), and Utah County's projected population growth. Preparation to see displacement at the start of the next episode.

Discussion of perspectives to consider in studying neighborhood affects on children, introduction to collective efficacy (shared & engaged practices and norms in the monitoring of children), and Utah County's projected population growth. Preparation to see displacement at the start of the next episode.

Discussion of modal share close to BYU vs in other parts of Provo, transportation for children, and the benefits and indicators of walkability.

For your safety, please stay with a partner or group, maintain awareness, and pause audio at street crossings. Headphones are recommended for this tour, as some of the streets can be loud. This tour can be self-paced, but at current speed, is likely to take about 1 hour and 10 minutes. It will finish in front of the Provo public library.