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Abstract
The goal of this thesis is to understand the dispossession of Black and minority communities in Athens-Clarke County. As well as informing the process and methods urban planners use to engage with these spaces. This aids in the efforts of creating healthy communities that are equitable and inclusive. By examining the value of space and its active implications on the lived experience of a community, planners are better able to engage and design just communities. Ultimately, by using archival research, geographic mapping, and written testimonies; this research aids in the understanding of the socio-cultural context within a community. These methods allow for an overtime comparison of demographic patterns within Athens-Clarke County. Results show that planners are better able to create spaces that encourage belonging and justice when first acknowledging and then addressing areas of need within communities. In doing so, bridging the gap between these underserved communities and local agencies.