The variety of conditions and innovative practices that help enable stronger implementation can be summarized into the eight factors described below. Each of these factors were identified in the local case examples examined through this project and were highlighted during subject matter expert interviews. Their influence was seen in efforts to advance equitable zoning and housing development, shifts in pedestrian/bicycle design and funding practices, and a strategy to reconnect communities through public greenspace. 

Sustained funding of both organization and project capacities to advance health equity and racial justice during all policy stages. View full description.

Government leadership and internal champions maintain the intent to implement equitable transportation and land use policies. View full description.

Spaces for collaboration and coordination among government staff, community partners and residents facilitate shared learning, strategizing, and accountability. View full description.

Specificity in plan and policy text and the regular assessment of progress, keeping a racial disparities and health burdening lens. View full description.

Collaborative, culturally competent and sustained engagement leads to vital, more equitable project outcomes. View full description.

Funding and staffing strategies to match the legislative intent of equity-focused land use and transportation policies. View full description.

Rules and internal directives to match the policy intent of equitable transportation and land use decisions. View full description.

Interim design improvements and pilot investments build longer-term support for transportation and land use policies and projects advancing equity. View full description.

 

The following local cases are highlighted within the eight factors:

  • Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) in Chicago: an effort led by the Elevated Chicago collaborative to reposition a major urban development strategy to address the needs of Black and Brown neighborhoods that are disinvested and/or gentrifying. See an expanded summary here.
  • Akron Civic Commons: a community-driven redevelopment strategy of three significant greenspace assets serving neighborhoods that are environmentally and economically burdened, with the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition as lead convener. See an expanded summary here.
  • Complete Streets Tucson: a local policy to create a safe, interconnected, and equitable transportation network, which is informed and monitored through engagement practices modeled by the Living Streets Alliance.
  • Milwaukee Complete Streets: a local policy to integrate bike/pedestrian safety and placemaking into all phases of infrastructure projects, with vital implementation and evaluation work (funded through the Safe and Healthy Streets grant) led by Wisconsin Bike Fed and other partners.
  • Baltimore Complete Streets: a local policy to prioritize pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users in planning and roadway design.
  • BikeWalkKC walk audits: participatory research events that highlighted challenges to equity and inclusion, informing numerous active transportation strategies within the region.
  • Seattle Bike Master Plan: an infrastructure strategy guided by Implementation Plans (updated in two-year intervals) that detail projects and programs advancing a robust citywide bike network.
  • Propel ATL Infrastructure Project Tracker: a web-based platform designed to help the public monitor progress on local bike/pedestrian safety initiatives and related projects. See an expanded summary here.