Windshield Survey: Aggregate Community

Windshield Survey 2 Aggregate Community Windshield Survey

The aggregate community of interest is the Black population in Tampa, Florida. Tampa's total population exceeds 350,000, with approximately 91,700 individuals identifying as African-American, making them a significant demographic group in the area. The racial composition also includes Whites who constitute about 62.9% of the population, along with smaller populations of Hispanics and Asians. Tampa covers a surface area of about 293.75 square kilometers of land, complemented by approximately 160.06 square kilometers of water, highlighting its coastal and urban characteristics. Historically, Tampa has been inhabited for thousands of years, with archaeological evidence suggesting that indigenous peoples, notably the Tocobaga tribe, occupied the region since around 1000 AD. The arrival of European settlers marked the onset of significant changes, with land claims being made in the 16th century and the development of urban infrastructure such as electrification in 1887 and electric street railways by 1890. The city developed a comprehensive transportation system and established health amenities early on, contributing to its growth.

The selection of the Black population as the focus of this windshield survey is rooted in their status as the second-largest racial group in Tampa. Additionally, Black residents are dispersed across varying socioeconomic regions, providing a diverse perspective on community health, access to services, and quality of life. This diversity allows for the observation of disparities and strengths within the demographic, thereby informing targeted public health interventions. The housing conditions across Tampa vary, with most residents living in modern apartments or well-maintained homes. Old houses are rare but still in decent condition, whereas some neighborhoods, such as Tampa Bay, feature older, less structurally sound housing—about 10% of which is in poor condition. Recreational facilities and parks are plentiful and generally well-maintained, such as Marjorie Park Yacht Basin, Port Tampa Park Community Center, Racoons Creek, and Kwane Doster Community Center, which serve as important community assets for recreation and socialization.

Neighborhood layout varies, with ample space between homes and businesses in most areas, facilitating a comfortable living environment. However, some districts, notably parts of Tampa Bay, have densely built neighborhoods with minimal spacing, which could pose challenges for health and safety. Social interaction is evident in neighborhood hangouts—including libraries, bars, restaurants, opera clubs, and social halls—highlighting active community engagement. Bars are particularly popular among the local population, indicating social and entertainment priorities within the community. Transportation infrastructure is well-developed; most residents utilize motor vehicles, bicycles, and public transportation. Roads are high-quality, clean, and equipped with street lighting and sidewalks in most areas. However, some neighborhoods lack sidewalks and proper lighting, which can hinder safe pedestrian movement and contribute to health disparities.

The commercial landscape includes various stores and businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, electronic stores, and bookshops, with a typical cluster of about twenty businesses per 50-meter stretch. The community exhibits mostly high levels of cleanliness across streets, buildings, and public spaces, although some districts, like Tampa Bay, struggle with environmental cleanliness. Visual advertising through billboards and digital screens is prevalent, although such advertisements have been associated with driver distraction (Sisiopiku et al., 2015). Religious and spiritual institutions are well-represented, with approximately 13 mosques, 25 churches, and one Scientology center, supporting the spiritual needs of the community.

Healthcare and social services are accessible and abundant. The community benefits from a high density of medical clinics, hospitals, dental practices, and recreational facilities, ensuring residents’ health and well-being are prioritized. The presence of multiple social centers further augments community support systems. Overall, Tampa’s community infrastructure, social facilities, and environmental resources contribute positively to residents' quality of life, although disparities identified in housing and neighborhood conditions warrant ongoing attention and intervention. These observations underscore the importance of continued community assessment to guide public health policies aimed at improving equity and health outcomes for Tampa’s diverse populations.

Paper For Above instruction

The windshield survey conducted in Tampa, Florida provides a comprehensive snapshot of the community's demographics, infrastructure, and social environment, with particular focus on the Black population. Tampa, a coastal city with a rich indigenous and colonial history, presents a diverse and evolving urban landscape that substantially influences residents' health and social outcomes. This survey highlights various factors impacting community well-being, including housing conditions, recreational facilities, transportation networks, and social institutions.

Demographically, the Black community in Tampa is substantial, comprising around 91,700 individuals within a diverse population exceeding 350,000 residents. The community is dispersed across socio-economic strata, enabling observations of disparities in access to services and quality of life. For instance, neighborhoods such as Tampa Bay contain older, less maintained housing, while other districts feature modern apartments and amenities. Housing quality is generally good, but pockets of substandard homes indicate ongoing challenges related to urban decay and neglect. The existence of community parks like Marjorie Park Yacht Basin, Port Tampa Park, Racoons Creek, and Kwane Doster Community Center offers recreational opportunities that foster social cohesion and physical activity, which are vital determinants of health.

Transportation infrastructure in Tampa is notably advanced, with well-planned road networks, sidewalks, streetlights, and multiple modes of transport. Roads are well-maintained and provide easy access within neighborhoods, although some districts lack sidewalks and proper lighting, posing safety risks for pedestrians and contributing to health disparities. Public transportation, including high-speed rail and water, air, and railway services, facilitates movement for commuting and cargo, supporting economic activities. This robust transportation system enhances residents' mobility, access to health services, and overall quality of life.

The community’s commercial and social spaces are vibrant, with a variety of stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, and religious institutions that support cultural and spiritual needs. The presence of 13 mosques, 25 churches, and a Scientology center reflects religious diversity, while the commercial sector includes numerous retail and service businesses, which accommodate residents' daily needs. The high levels of cleanliness across most neighborhoods and streets, combined with advertising and media displays, indicate active community engagement and marketing efforts, but also raise concerns about driver distraction, as noted by prior research (Sisiopiku et al., 2015).

Healthcare services are readily accessible, with multiple hospitals, clinics, and dentists distributed throughout the city. Social centers and recreational facilities contribute to holistic community health by promoting physical activity, social interaction, and mental well-being. The availability of these services underscores Tampa’s commitment to supporting its diverse population’s health needs.

Despite these strengths, disparities remain in housing quality, neighborhood infrastructure, and environmental cleanliness, especially in districts like Tampa Bay. Addressing these issues through targeted public health interventions and urban planning is essential for promoting health equity and improving overall community resilience. Regular windshield surveys such as this are vital tools in assessing ongoing community needs and guiding policy for sustainable urban development and health promotion.

References

• Brown Jr, C. (2018). Tampa and the coming of the railroad. Sunland Tribune, 17(1), 1-16.
• Chowdhury, M., Rahman, M., Rayamajhi, A., Khan, S., Islam, M., Khan, Z., & Martin, J. (2017). Lessons learned from the real-world deployment of a connected vehicle testbed. arXiv preprint arXiv:1712.05838, 1-13.
• Sisiopiku, V. P., Stavrinos, D., Sullivan, A., Islam, M. M., Wittig, S., Haleem, K., & Alluri, P. (2015). Digital advertising billboards and driver distraction. 1-99.
• World Population Review. (2018). Tampa, Florida population 2018. Retrieved from [source]
• Additional credible sources to be inserted here following APA guidelines.