reflective submission

create a mindmap with different sections coming from the main biox “atlanta sport stadiums & urban development” the other boxes are “housing, displacement, and homelessness’, ‘sustainability and enviornemntal impact’ ‘transportation and mobility’ , ‘community engagement and cultural preservation’ , ‘social justice and economic equity’ then add another box for ‘growth machine theory’ and ‘GSU Convocation Tour’ and a ‘personal experience’ box.

Students will submit 3 reflective submissions (worth 15 pts each) throughout the course.

Students are to express their thoughts and learnings via creative alternatives to

traditional essays. These submissions should analyze key concepts, personal insights

and connections to real-world applications discussed in class. Examples of

nontraditional expressions can include but are not limited to

visual projects

(infographics, concept maps, collages);

media- based

projects

(video journal,

podcast);

digital creations

(blog post, digital storytelling).

experiential reflections

(field diary, service reflection). In addition to the creative product, a short summary

description of the submission should be included

Here I have added notes which need altering: BOX 1: Housing, Displacement & Homelessness

The World Cup will likely increase development and investment near downtown and major event areas, but that can also raise rent and push residents out. This class made me realize that revitalization can easily turn into displacement if the city isnt careful. I think Atlanta needs to plan for housing protections during the World Cup so the event doesnt create more pressure on already vulnerable communities.

BOX 2: Sustainability & Environmental Impact

A major event like the World Cup will bring more traffic, more waste, and a bigger environmental footprint. Ive started thinking about how Atlanta can balance the excitement of hosting with sustainability efforts, like reducing emissions, improving public transportation use, and creating long-term green strategies instead of temporary solutions. The goal shouldnt just be hosting successfully it should be leaving a positive environmental legacy.

BOX 3: Transportation & Mobility

This focus area stands out to me the most personally. As an international student without a car, transportation in Atlanta has been one of the hardest parts of living here. Even on normal days, getting across the city can be slow and inconvenient, so I cant imagine how intense it will be during the World Cup. This class helped me see that transportation isnt just a logistics issue its an equity issue, because access determines who can actually participate in the city.

BOX 4: Community Engagement & Cultural Preservation

One of the biggest risks of the World Cup is that the city focuses so much on visitors that local communities get ignored. Atlanta has a strong culture and identity, and I think planning should include real community voices not just marketing. This course made me realize that if Atlanta wants the World Cup to be meaningful, it should protect and celebrate local culture instead of allowing development to erase it.

BOX 5: Social Justice & Economic Equity

The World Cup will bring money into Atlanta, but the real question is: who benefits? This class helped me understand how large events often benefit big businesses and powerful stakeholders the most, while small businesses and marginalized communities can be left out. I think Atlanta needs intentional strategies to make sure the World Cup creates opportunities for local workers, minority-owned businesses, and communities that historically have not benefited from major development.

BOX 6: Growth Machine Theory (Power & Decision-Making)

Learning about Growth Machine Theory completely changed how I look at the World Cup and Atlantas development plans. It explains how cities often treat growth like it automatically benefits everyone, even when the outcomes are unequal.

KH7785 – Theoretical Frameworks

Now, when I hear the World Cup described as a major opportunity for Atlanta, I think more critically about who is driving those decisions and who is expected to sacrifice in the process. This theory helped me connect the World Cup to issues like displacement, transportation access, and economic inequality, and it made me realize that these impacts are not accidents. They are often built into the way cities prioritize growth and investment.

UPDATED BOX 3: Transportation & Mobility (MORE PERSONAL)

This focus area stands out to me the most because I experience Atlanta transportation in a really personal way. As an international student without a car, I rely heavily on MARTA, walking, and ride shares, and Ive learned how difficult it can be to get across the city. Some places feel accessible, but other areas feel almost impossible without a car, and travel time can be unpredictable. Thinking about the World Cup, I honestly worry about how Atlanta will handle the increase in crowds, traffic, and visitors who also wont have cars. This class helped me realize transportation isnt just a logistics issue its an equity issue, because access determines who can participate in the city.

UPDATED BOX 6: Growth Machine Theory (WITH YOUR POV BUILT IN)

Learning about Growth Machine Theory changed how I look at the World Cup because it made me realize that city planning decisions arent neutral. The theory explains how cities treat growth like its automatically good, even when the benefits are uneven, and how powerful stakeholders influence decisions because they gain from increased land value and development.

KH7785 – Theoretical Frameworks

As someone who depends on public transportation, Ive realized that the people most affected by these decisions are often the ones with the least power. When Atlanta invests in projects tied to the World Cup, I think about whether those investments will actually improve everyday life for residents or if they are mainly designed to impress visitors and generate profit.

OPTIONAL: Add a tiny personal note box (super cute in Canva)

My Experience Living in Atlanta Without a Car

Living in Atlanta without a car has made me more aware of how transportation shapes opportunity. The World Cup will bring global attention, but it also highlights everyday challenges residents already face. It made me think about how mega-events should improve access for the people who live here not just create a temporary experience for tourists.

UPDATED BOX 4: Community Engagement & Cultural Preservation (ATL CULTURE + MUSIC)

One thing I keep thinking about with the World Cup is how Atlanta is going to present itself to the world. Atlanta has such a strong culture especially through music, food, neighborhoods, and local communities and I think its important that the city doesnt sanitize itself just to impress visitors. The World Cup should highlight what makes Atlanta Atlanta, not turn it into a generic tourist version of the city. This class helped me realize that cultural preservation is part of social impact, because when development happens too fast, it can erase the people and places that created the culture in the first place. Maybe list this box as “KEEP ATLANTA ATLANTA”

Overall, I just don’t know how to use canva so just need it creating alongside a 1 page summary explaining the mindmap and what I have learned in the class thus far.