Affordable Housing In Transit-oriented Development
September 1, 2009|Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives
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What GAO Found
Characteristics of transit-oriented developments can increase nearby land and housing values, however determining transit-oriented development’s effects on the availability of affordable housing in these developments are complicated by a lack of direct research and data. Specifically, the presence of transit stations, retail, and other desirable amenities such as schools and parks generally increases land and housing values nearby. However, the extent to which land and housing values increase—or in the rare case, decrease—near a transit station depends on a number of characteristics, some of which are commonly found in transit-oriented developments. According to transit and housing stakeholders GAO spoke with, higher land and housing values have the potential to limit the availability of affordable housing near transit, but other factors—such as transit routing decisions and local commitment to affordable housing—can also affect availability.
Few local, state,…
The Geography of Innovation: The Federal Government and the Growth of Regional Innovation Clusters
September 1, 2009|Science Progress
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Innovation is the critical component of long-term economic prosperity, driving productivity growth and (if spread across key sectors of the economy) ensuring broad-based economic growth. Sparking innovation, however, requires capital (which is threatened by the current economic downturn), skilled-labor, scientific and technological advances, and creative collaboration between government and the private sector. Innovation cannot be dictated, but it can be cultivated.
Empowerment Zone Designation and Community Economic Development in Minneapolis, MN
May 8, 2009|Geography Department, Macalester College
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Abstract
The Empowerment Zone is a federal program designed to incentivize investment in economically blighted communities. The Empowerment Zone provides a combination of federal grant money for community development initiatives along with tax incentives for private-sector firms that locate in zone areas. This study explores the effects of Empowerment Zone designation on community economic development in Minneapolis, MN. The project employs both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to study the Empowerment Zone. GIS mapping and analysis explores changes in socio-demographic characteristics of Zone neighborhoods. Meanwhile, interviews with community stakeholders and government officials provide insight into the Empowerment Zone planning and implementation process. The Minneapolis Empowerment Zone program was able to bolster community development projects over the course of its existence, but it did not succeed in dramatically improving the employment options of zone residents or…
National Award For Smart Growth Achievement
January 1, 2009|EPA Development, Community and Environment Division
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Honorees represent the best in smart growth development in 2009
The New Starts Congressional Handbook
January 1, 2009|Federal Transit Administration
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This handbook is designed for congressional staff to help navigate the chutes and ladders of the New Starts process.
Discussion Paper On The Evaluation Of Economic Development
October 1, 2008
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Introduction
In the interest of receiving robust public input and comment on the topic, this document is intended to present one possible method for evaluating the potential economic development impacts of projects applying for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5309 New Starts funds. After receiving feedback on how it might evaluate economic development impacts of New Starts projects , FTA intends to prepare proposed policy guidance at some point in the future that would be published for notice and comment before any particular approach is finalized.
For the purposes of the economic development criterion, FTA defines economic development as the extent to which a proposed New Starts project is likely to contribute to additional, transit-supportive development within the new station areas to be constructed as part of the project. In 2005, FTA initiated a study of the economic development impacts of transit investments with the objective of developing a quantitative measure…
Discussion Paper On The Evaluation Of Economic Development
January 1, 2008|Federal Transit Administration
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This document presents one possible method for evaluating potential economic development impacts of projects applying for Federal Transit Administration New Starts funds.
Multimodal Level of Service Analysis for Urban Streets
January 1, 2008|National Cooperative Highway Research Program
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National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 616: Provides method for assessing how well an urban street serves the needs of all of its users
Multimodal Level of Service Analysis for Urban Streets: Users Guide
January 1, 2008|National Cooperative Highway Research Program
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NCHRP Web-Only Document 128: Consists of a set of recommended procedures for predicting traveler perceptions of quality of service and performance measures for urban streets. This users guide presents the multimodal level of service (MMLOS) analysis method for urban streets. It consists of a set of recommended procedures for predicting traveler perceptions of quality of service and performance measures for urban streets. These procedures consider the needs of people using the four major modes of travel on the street, their impacts on each other as they share the street, and their mode specific requirements for street design and operation.
TOD 202 Transit + Employment: Increasing Transit’s Share Of The Commute Trip
January 1, 2008|Federal Transit Administration
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Why This BOOk?
To Inform StrategiesThat Can Increase Transit’s Share of the Commute Trip
The daily commute is a fact of life for 90 million Americans. While some commuters value the “down time” this trip provides them, others experience financial, emotional and physical stress.
The societal cost is also significant – the freedom and flexibility provided by the automobile exacts a high price in terms of environmental and climate impacts, infrastructure costs, accidents and injuries, and dependence on foreign oil, and rising gas prices make commuting by car a heavy personal financial burden. Moreover, it has proven to be impossible to reduce traffic congestion by keeping up with the ever-expanding demand for road capacity – the amount of driving, measured in vehicle miles traveled or VMT, has increased three times faster than the U.S. population since 1980, and is expected to increase another 59 percent by 2030, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Transit and…
