DrUrbanPolicy

Jana Lynott produced this video with StreetFilms, and I make a few appearances throughout. Our goal was to discuss the importance of locations near transit for older adults. Simply put, people of all ages, incomes and physical abilities can benefit from locations that combine transportation and housing choices, as this video demonstrates. This combination does not happen by accident - this version of "equitable TOD" usually requires planning, zoning and policy actions to ensure that everyone can benefit.

This is the beginning of a series of videos from my talk to talk to the American Planning Association's Planning and the Black Community Division at the 2012 American Planning Association National Conference in April.  I was installed as the Division's Vice Chair - Policy shortly after this talk, so I guess it didn't go too badly.   Parts 2-5 are on Youtube as well.  The direct link to this video is: http://youtu.be/wJdvihNsj-k

DrUrbanPolicy discusses TOD and Older Adults

The video of the AARP/NCSL Solutions Forum on December 8 in Washington, DC is now online!  You can see the entire event at the link below. I moderated the panel of elected officials and program managers - it was a great conversation, and for those of you that couldn't be there, please enjoy.   Video of Dec. 8 Solutions Forum (Panel begins at the 40:50 mark)

I saw an article in the Washington Post a few weeks ago titled " Pr. George's: Growing, and growing more segregated ."  It is the latest example of journalists and others struggling with how to understand and interpret segregation. Prince George's County, MD is known for having an African American majority and large black middle class. What makes it interesting is that it's black population is growing not because of white flight (although that has some impact).  The much larger factor is the influx of middle class African Americans outside the beltway, and lower-income African Americans in many inner-beltway communities.   A few years ago, my doctoral dissertation explored why African Americans who have choices would move to majority black neighborhoods in Prince Georges and not choose to move elsewhere (for example, more integrated neighborhoods in Montgomery).  To do this, I interviewed 50 middle-class African Americans in a wide range of neighborho...

I'll be moderating a panel of policymakers and practitioners at the AARP Public Policy Institute Solutions Forum on December 8th, and there will be a Livable Communities Networking Reception after. The forum will promote the paper “Aging in Place: A State Survey of Livability Policies and Practices,” published jointly by the AARP Public Policy Institute and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Please sign up and come to the discussion and/or reception if you can get to DC in the afternoon and work on Housing, Transportation, or Land Use issues.  There will also be a webcast and you can find information on the event sign-in page.  Reserve your spot at the Solutions Forum! By the way, you can see AARP Public Policy Institute reports and sign up for news alerts at www.aarp.org/ppi/liv-com   

On this blog, I will discuss policy issues and items of interest to those working on urban policy and planning issues.  I plan to touch on Housing, Transportation, Land Use, Economic Development, and other issues.  I am a senior policy advisor for housing issues at a major nonprofit organization in Washington, DC, so I will touch on national issues of significance and maybe a local issue or two along the way. Enjoy!