In the early 2000s, in direct response to a rash of pedestrian fatalities among older Asian American residents and recent immigrants, the Asian Health Services and the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce successfully advocated for safety infrastructure at four intersections in Oakland’s Chinatown. The project proposal incorporated both standard pedestrian safety features and a custom crosswalk design based on the Qing Dynasty Imperial Court. The latter aspect required a significant amount of state DOT and city public works approval, which was well worth the effort as it has become a local source of pride.
Key partners: Asian Health Services, Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, City of Oakland, Caltrans,
