Event Recap: WTS-Boston November Virtual Luncheon Seminar
Featuring Dr. Tracy Corley – Transit-Oriented Development Fellow, MassINC
WRITTEN BY Megha Parameswaraiah, EIT | Michael Baker International
On November 12th, WTS-Boston hosted Dr. Tracy Corley, Transit-Oriented Development Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth, as its speaker for the Chapter’s monthly luncheon. MassINC works to provide the people of Massachusetts with the information they need to participate fully in our democracy. Dr. Corley, alongside MassINC, thrives on creating economic opportunities and sustainable livelihoods for people in the world’s metropolitan regions.
Dr. Corley began by discussing MassINC’s research “From Transactional to Transformative: The Case for Equity in Gateway City Transit-Oriented Development.” The research result shows how TOD can help to transform gateway cities (the State’s formal industrial cities) by focusing efforts and resources on developing places and communities near commuter rail stations. Using St. Louis Arch as an example, Dr. Corley depicted types of travesty, in terms of equity, because of transportation decisions made in the past. Transit-oriented development can help these regional urban centers address historic exclusionary and discriminatory practices.
Transportation Transform Cities via TOD brings transportation closer to communities. As a result, this will minimize the transportation cost to jobs, provide access to essentials, and offer access to better paying and more convenient jobs, regardless of a person’s ability, race, age, or circumstances. Dr. Corley explained how a modification to the transportation system can provide more equitable service.
Dr. Corley, focusing on Massachusetts gateway cities, showed data about policy benefits, percentage of subsidized affordable housing, performance of the school system, and how these cities are car dependent due to unreliable train and RTA services. Dr. Corley discussed the transportation challenges of the gateway cities using charts depicting a change in demographics or racial breakdown, median income in comparison with state’s household income, vehicle ownership, cost burden, fiscal condition, etc. The data shows that gateway cities have relatively low income and high transportation costs. TOD transformation depends on three important pillars - Integrative Land use, Equitable Transportation, and Inclusive Economic Development.
Dr. Corley brought to light how we need to rethink to bridge the gaps. The first suggestion is to rethink infrastructure. For example, rethinking social infrastructure (e.g., libraries and parks) and physical infrastructure (e.g., bridges) can make communities more resilient and equitable. Secondly, rethink policy goals - consider transit as a link to activity centers rather than a way to move people or vehicles. Focus on improving mobility and access to people, regardless of where they live, instead of only focusing on operational efficiency. Consider whether transit is ready as cities develop, evolve, and grow. Also, rethink planning - having the community participate in establishing the preliminary vision, throughout the planning process, and in the implementation process. Finally, rethink priorities - complex problems require multi-faceted solutions. Instead of waiting for the ridership levels to rise to make transportation improvements, transit services should be proactive and demonstrate their reliability.
The discussion helped us in understanding how we will need to rethink the transportation process and policies to use TOD as a tool to create equity and improving the lives and the livelihood of the people.
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