Urban planner and changemaker shares how door-to-door listening shaped a bold, four-pillar plan for District 4
When Rosi Rosell sat down with Commissioner Ralph “Rafael” Rosado, the conversation quickly became more than just an interview; it was a deep dive into the values, strategy, and urgency behind the C.A.S.A. Master Plan, Rosado’s signature initiative unveiled shortly after the District 4 special election.
District 4 covers neighborhoods in the heart of the City of Miami, including Coral Way, Flagami, and parts of Little Havana
Rosado, a seasoned urban planner and public administrator, and now the winner of the District 4 special election, emphasized that this wasn’t a campaign gimmick or a rush job. It was the natural culmination of months of conversations, data gathering, and listening to residents.
“We didn’t wait because the needs of our residents couldn’t wait,” Rosado told Calle Ocho News. “Every door we knocked, every neighbor we met helped shape this plan. C.A.S.A. is how we show that we're ready to govern with urgency, clarity, and purpose, starting from day one.”
Composed of four pillars, Community, Adaptability, Safety, and Affordability, the C.A.S.A. Master Plan aims to be more than a political promise. It’s meant to be a living, working framework for meaningful, measurable improvements across Miami’s District 4.
The Roots of C.A.S.A.: What the Community Really Asked For
When asked how the pillars of C.A.S.A. came to be, Rosado didn’t hesitate. “Each pillar came directly from the people. Community? That’s seniors asking for more walkable parks, parents looking for safer places for their kids, and neighbors wanting space to come together.”
He spoke about S.H.A.R.E., one of the earliest initiatives launched under the community pillar. The goal? Open public-school green fields after hours to serve as recreational spaces.
“S.H.A.R.E. is about creating recreational space now, not later,” Rosado explained. “We’re working on new parks, but in the meantime, we have to make the most of what’s already available. School campuses offer fields, courts, and walking paths that can benefit everyone from kids to seniors.”
Rosado praised his partners in this effort, including the Miami-Dade County Public School Board, Mayor Francis Suarez, and his fellow City of Miami commissioners, whose support has been instrumental in moving this initiative forward. “Their support has been crucial in moving this shared vision forward,” he said. “We’re currently in contract negotiations, and both sides are aligned in our commitment to public good.”
When Rosell asked about safety, Rosado acknowledged its importance. “We know opening school grounds comes with responsibility. We’ll work closely with the School Board to identify safety enhancements site-by-site. It’s about collaboration and community trust.”
Adaptability, Infrastructure, and the Climate Challenge
Beyond community, Adaptability is a pillar that Rosado holds close to his planner’s heart. As someone who understands the mechanics of city systems, he knows Miami’s vulnerabilities all too well.
“Flooding, aging infrastructure, and unreliable drainage aren’t future problems. They’re happening now,” he explained. “People are living with it every day. C.A.S.A. addresses this head-on with more stormwater infrastructure, proactive drain maintenance, and better monitoring of street conditions.”
Rosado’s solutions aren’t just about reaction but rooted in long-term resilience. “Adaptability means designing systems that can grow with our city. We’re looking at incentives for storm proofing homes and using data to prioritize the most vulnerable areas.”
These measures could be life-changing for residents in low-lying parts of District 4. “People need to see that government can respond to everyday issues and prevent tomorrow’s problems simultaneously,” he said.
The Dual Crisis: Safety and Affordability
When asked about the Safety pillar, Rosado’s answer was as much about mindset as it was about policy. “Residents told us they feel safe. The data supports it. But we can’t take that for granted,” he said. “Safety is something you have to continually invest in and protect.”
His approach includes better lighting in public spaces, improving pedestrian infrastructure, and expanding partnerships with local safety organizations. But more than that, it’s about cultivating a sense of community where people feel seen and secure.
On Affordability, the urgency was palpable. “This is one of the biggest moral and practical challenges we face,” he said. – “Too many residents are being pushed out of the neighborhoods they’ve called home for their entire lives. We have to take a different path.”
His strategy involves identifying underutilized, city-owned properties that can be repurposed into mixed-income, family-friendly housing, placed in the right areas with access to transportation, schools, and amenities.
“Housing is not a luxury. It’s a right,” Rosado declared. “Solving this crisis means thinking strategically and acting with urgency.”
Accountability Beyond Elections
One of the standout moments in the interview was Rosell's question about how the momentum would stay alive after the campaign energy faded.
“We’re not going to disappear,” Rosado replied. “We’re opening a district office inside a senior center so we can be right where the people are. You’ll see us at parks, school events, and neighborhood meetings.”
To Rosado, this is what governance should look like: present, personal, and participatory.
“A house isn’t a home without people. We call it C.A.S.A., because it’s something we’re building with the community, not just for them. This is their house. Their future.”
The Last Word: From Plans to Progress
Commissioner Ralph “Rafael” Rosado left no doubt that for District 4, the work has already begun.
“In the first 6 to 12 months,” he said, “I want residents to see visible changes, roads getting fixed, parks opening, ideas turning into action. That’s how we prove this isn’t just vision but progress.”
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