.png)
Designing Safer, Fairer Transit: Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris on the Human Side of Mobility
- Rick L'Amie
- Oct 22
- 1 min read
By Rick L’Amie
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts:
Our latest Transportopia conversation dives deep into what makes public transit truly work for people — not just in ridership numbers, but in safety, access, and experience.
About the Guest
Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris is Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Interim Dean of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
Her scholarship bridges design, policy, and social equity, examining how urban space and mobility shape daily life.
She’s the author or co-author of several influential books, including:
Transit-Oriented Displacement or Community Dividend? – exploring who benefits and who gets pushed out when new transit arrives.
Urban Humanities: New Practices for Reimagining the City – an interdisciplinary look at art, design, and infrastructure.
What We Talked About
How safety and perception shape transit use, especially for women and vulnerable riders.
Why physical design matters — lighting, visibility, and wayfinding can change behavior and comfort.
How station neighborhoods evolve around new rail lines — and what planners can do to prevent displacement.
Why the “user perspective” is critical to rebuilding trust and ridership in post-pandemic transit systems.
Why It Matters
Anastasia reminds us that the future of transit isn’t just smart — it has to be human.
Her work spotlights how equity, empathy, and design can redefine mobility from the rider outward. In a time when automation and efficiency dominate the narrative, her message is clear: if people don’t feel safe or welcome, they won’t ride.