Freedom of Movement: The Case for Equitable, Beautiful, and Sustainable Urban Infrastructure in the U.S.

This policy brief examines the urgent need for a redesign of urban planning across U.S. cities within the broader context of American transportation policy, public health, climate goals, and the growing loneliness epidemic caused by a lack of inviting, shared urban space.

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Varun Manickam

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October 5, 2025

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Inquiry-driven, this project may reflect personal views, aiming to enrich problem-related discourse.

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Varun Manickam

2025 Summer Fellow

Varun Manickam is a Sociology and Humanities Honors student at the University of Texas at Austin within the Liberal Arts Honors program. He is passionate about environmental issues and their intersection with finance and public policy.

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Other Fellowship Capstones

Displaced: Exploring Policy Solutions for Climate Gentrification

Capstones - Summer 2024

Giancarlo da Motta

The capstone will explore potential policy solutions for climate gentrification. This capstone has a few case studies to further understanding.

Climate Injustice; Evaluating Its Presence In The Bay Area

Capstones - Summer 2024

Liliana Karesh

This policy review will examine the injustices that occur in the Bay Area region of California as a result of the climate crisis, as well as current policy implications that allow the operations of big polluter companies–in particular Chevron— to operate oil refineries and pollute the surrounding environment, which typically is underserved and low-income communities. Additionally, this policy review will provide policy options that can be used to combat pollution and climate injustice within the Bay Area.

The concentration of pollution in urban regions of the United States, and its impacts on the human body

Capstones - Winter 2023

Divya Shankar

This presentation delves into the pressing issue of concentrated pollution in urban areas of the United States, and its dire impacts on human health. It outlines the correlation between dense population and pollution, exploring how this impacts various body systems while highlighting the current actions taken by bodies like the EPA.

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Varun Manickam

Other Fellowship Capstones

Displaced: Exploring Policy Solutions for Climate Gentrification

Climate Injustice; Evaluating Its Presence In The Bay Area

The concentration of pollution in urban regions of the United States, and its impacts on the human body