Stephanie Pollack

The American Public Transportation Association’s use of a “land use multiplier” as part of its methodology for calculating greenhouse gas reduction from transit has increased interest in methodologies that quantify the impact of transit systems on land use and vehicle miles traveled. Such transit leverage, however, is frequently evaluated for urbanized areas, although transit systems serve only a small proportion of those areas. If transit leverage is stronger in areas closer to transit… Show more

The American Public Transportation Association’s use of a “land use multiplier” as part of its methodology for calculating greenhouse gas reduction from transit has increased interest in methodologies that quantify the impact of transit systems on land use and vehicle miles traveled. Such transit leverage, however, is frequently evaluated for urbanized areas, although transit systems serve only a small proportion of those areas. If transit leverage is stronger in areas closer to transit stations, studies based on larger geographies may underestimate land use and travel behavior effects in transit-served areas. A geographic information system–based data set was developed to understand better the leverage effects associated with the mature and extensive Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority transit system in areas proximate to its stations throughout Metropolitan Boston. The region was divided into the subregion that was transit-proximate (within a half mile of a rapid transit station or key bus route), the portion that was commuter rail–proximate, and the remaining 93.3% of the region that was not proximate to high-frequency transit. Households in the transit-proximate subregion were significantly more likely to commute by transit (and walking or biking), less likely to own a car, and drove fewer miles than households in the non-transit-served areas of the region. Commuter rail–proximate areas, although denser than the region as a whole, exhibited more driving and car ownership than regional averages. Given these spatial and modal variations, future efforts to understand transit leverage should separately evaluate land use and travel effects by mode and proximity to transit stations. Show less

To better understand the needs, challenges, and solutions related to transportation in low-income and Latino Massachusetts communities, Neighbor 2 Neighbor Massachusetts (N2N-MA) and the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University collaborated on a mixed-methods data collection project between the fall of 2012 and the spring of 2013. The project focused on four Massachusetts cities that represent a range of transportation environments: East Boston… Show more

To better understand the needs, challenges, and solutions related to transportation in low-income and Latino Massachusetts communities, Neighbor 2 Neighbor Massachusetts (N2N-MA) and the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University collaborated on a mixed-methods data collection project between the fall of 2012 and the spring of 2013. The project focused on four Massachusetts cities that represent a range of transportation environments: East Boston, Lynn, Springfield, and Worcester. Door-to-door surveys were conducted with more than 350 residents in targeted neighborhoods and focus groups were held in each city to collect information on how residents get around, where they go using different transportation modes, obstacles and issues they often contend with, and solutions for overcoming transit-related problems. Specifically, the project goals included: (1) Describing how low-income and Latino residents of Massachusetts use transportation to access employment, school, health care, religious, and other destinations; (2) Identifying transportation-related barriers that keep these populations from securing jobs and accessing basic necessities; (3) Educating policy makers and others on how one of the state’s most vulnerable population depends on the transportation infrastructure; (4) Informing policy decisions on funding for transportation and transit service planning; and (5) Assisting N2N-MA in their advocacy for the transportation needs of low-income and Latino households. Show less

Summarizes a study published by the Dukakis Center on Urban and Regional Policy entitled Maintaining Diversity in America's Transit-Rich Neighborhoods that analyzed socioeconomic change in 42 neighborhoods in 12 metropolitan areas first served by rail transit between 1990 and 2000. Presents the study's conclusions about the likely mechanisms underlying the observed patterns of change in transit-rich neighborhoods.

As part of a special edition of Architecture Boston magazine looking at the results of the Boston Transportation Planning Review - a process initiated when then-Governor Frank Sargent cancelled a major highway project through Boston's neighborhoods -- 40 years later. Discusses three unkept promises: institutionalizing open and visionary planning, healing the scars left in the neighborhoods and completing and funding the state's public transportation system.

Traces the history of 21st century nongovernmental environmental organizations through the lens of the evolution of the environmental movement from earlier public health movements.

Examines the extent to which different types of community processes were used to shape the open spaces designed and built as part of the "Big Dig", Boston's Central Artery project. Proposes a typology of community processes and evaluates their efficacy through the criteria of inclusiveness, integrity, influence and implementation.

Policy prescriptions for addressing childhood lead poisoning caused by lead-based paint in homes, addressing both the public health and housing aspects of the problem.

Article about the effects of lead paint poisoning on the residents of public housing in New Orleans and elsewhere.

Views the history and efficacy of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) through the lens of different branches of the American environmental movement.