Assignment 4: Part 1

Low Accessibility:

When it came to accessibility to public transportation, it was a little difficult to narrow things down because Boulder is based around public transportation. Many people depend on public transportation to get to school if they do not live within walking distance to the main campus, so Boulder has done a good job with providing adequate public transportation. When we drove up Baseline Road and reached Chautauqua Park, we noticed a decline in traffic and cars. We then decided to choose the Flatirons Restaurant as our location and Chautauqua as our area that lacks accessibility to public transportation.

 (Bus stop at Baseline and Broadway)

 (Driving up to Flatirons Restaurant)

(Flatirons Restaurant)

The Chautauqua area and Flatirons are both particularly lacking access to a lot of things such as jobs, education, recreation, and etc., but there are also other areas in Boulder that may be just as lacking in all those things; however, it seems that almost everywhere in Boulder has easy access to public transportation. The only way to get up to this restaurant/area is if you bike, drive, or walk a long distance. There is absolutely no bus going up this mountain.  The fact that there wasn’t any public transportation may not be a problem to the residents in the area though. We say this because the majority, if not all, of the people living in this area knew that this area lacked public transportation. All these residents seem to have a decent income because the average property value is around $890,000 with some houses listed at $2.5 million.  It is safe to say that almost all residents may have a car and isn’t really bothered by the lack of public transportation.

High Accessibility: 

Driving back down from Chautauqua on Baseline you quickly reach the more highly accesible areas of Boulder.   In an almost linear fashion, the house become smaller, the roads more busy, and more institutions and small businesses pop up.   Right between Broadway and 27th Way on Baseline is the Basemar Shopping Center.  Littered with small businesses, you can essentially acquire any item you may need here.  Containing fast food, a Whole Foods (grocery store), a Liquor Store, a Goodwill, a bank, and several restaurants to choose from, the Basemar Shopping Center is located in a prime and accesible location.  Although highly accesible locations such as Basemar tend to have increased prices in real estate, the housing apartments located behind the shopping mall range in price based upon luxury.  Even though Basemar shopping center is in equal distance to campus, and located between the intersection of two of Boulder most traversed roads (Broadway and Baseline) and that of highway 36, it makes sense that Basemar would be a more desirable location for commercial buildings.   

Map of Basemar Shopping Center Location

Being in such a close vicinity to these primary roads, the university, and highway 36 (one of Boulders main highways to other cities such as Denver), Basemar Shopping center is easily one of the most utilized areas of Boulder.  Keeping up with the theme of creating both housing and commercial areas on the outskirts of Colorado University's campus, Basemar is a "mix of retail and commercial uses" (Pollard).  While not necessarily being a "Boomer edge city" Basemar does mark the transition from South Boulder to North Boulder.  With convenient stores that meet the needs of most students or families, and a location that is conveniently located to those about to enter or leave the city, Basemar embodies the epitome of a highly accesible area.

Parking Lot of Basemar Shopping Center

Due to such high accessibility there are signs posted within the parking lot that clearly state "No Student Parking, Parking for Basemar Shopping Center Only."

Bus Stop located right outside on Baseline next to the Bank

Being an outlet and an inlet to public transportation on the outskirts of the heart of Boulder (The University of Colorado), Basemar continues to be self-reinforcing.  With the constant influx of students,  Basemar is a center for economic activity that constantly fluctuates based upon what stores are utilized. Since being a student here in 2009, most of the stores have remained the same except for a "Arbys" being replaced by a "Wendys."   While this may be a reflection of taste, it is safe to say that Basemar has been economically sufficient due to its location.  We also see that commercial business within Boulder value property located in highly accesible areas more than that of low ones.   As Boulder continues to emerge as a prominent city, become more connected on the globalized scale, areas such as Basemar will continue to flourish and reflect the needs of those traversing within Boulder.
Areas such as this allow for the "Built Environment" of Boulder to remain both suburban and rural.  By concentrating economic activity in these areas around campus, it allows for low accesible areas to have peaceful housing and restaurants such as Flagstaff Restaurant to retain their prestigious image.  The great public transportation in Boulder, its bike-friendly paths, wide roads, and design allow for essentially anyone within Boulder to access Basemar.