This essay is part of a series in which we’ve asked Alexandrians to envision our region in 2050.
Learn more about the series and read more essays on the Alexandria 2050 project page here.
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In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic, lingering economic uncertainty, and racial reckoning exposed some of Alexandria’s greatest vulnerabilities. There is a nine-year life expectancy difference between people living north and south of Glebe road. Differences in the conditions where people live and work put our neighbors from racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death.
As a public health practitioner and city planner, I know that health is more than healthcare; it is a function of how we engage, plan, and invest in places. As we emerge from one of the most difficult times in our history, we need to seize this moment to define a new normal and design a healthier future into existence. If we do nothing differently, we stand to lose the diversity and quality of life we consistently point to as one of our greatest strengths. But if we can build upon the deep interconnections between health, place, and community, Alexandria will be even stronger in 2050.
I believe the Alexandria of 2050 can be an Alexandria where health justice is not just a concept but a reality. A place where an abundance of housing options that are affordable and connected to good jobs, quality schools, reliable transportation, and arts and cultural activities exist in each neighborhood. A place where there is no dividing line between the east and west of the city but a network of connected and complete communities.
This vision is rooted in a deep belief that place matters for health. Just as our bodies are made up of a complex network of bones, muscles, and tissue, so my 2050 Alexandria is one where we recognize the interconnections between housing, transportation, schools, and other systems, and we plan in a way that embraces that interdependence and mitigates unintended consequences. Because we understand that we are stronger together, we actively reach out, ask questions, and meaningfully engage community members in creating solutions to our most pressing challenges. The process by which we engage is as transformational as the change we seek.
Just as a healthy human body is more likely to overcome disease, my Alexandria of the future is resilient because we have invested in all our infrastructure, from sidewalks to stormwater management to housing. When our City Council considers these infrastructure issues, they draw upon our community’s expertise, provide opportunities for co-decision making, and prioritize equity, all of which will be made easier by streamlining processes now so we can accelerate compelling projects.
Because the heart is the center of the body, my Alexandria of the future centers people in our decision-making. When we make decisions, we ask the tough questions: Who does this benefit? What are the environmental impacts? How does this align with our community’s values and goals?
The veins of our city in 2050 flow with justice. We meaningfully acknowledge our history and do not allow racism or discrimination to plague our community. We honor the voices and stories of those who have traditionally been marginalized, especially Black, Indigenous, and persons of color, by confronting what makes us uncomfortable and dismantling systems that perpetuate health inequities.
Achieving this vision is deeply personal to me. My son, Ezekiel, was born last year, at the beginning of the pandemic. I am running for City Council for my son’s healthy future and the healthy futures of all our children. When I envision 2050, I can see and feel the joy in our streets because we took the steps today to harness our collective imagination and energy to create a better, more just, healthier future for Alexandria.
Alyia Gaskins, MPH, is running for city council in Alexandria in 2021. Her candidate website is at alyiaforalexandria.com.
