The pandemic has put critical issues front and center for many cities, including stimulating economic development, expanding public space, reducing air pollution, addressing traffic incidents and fatalities, and promoting equity. Reports have repeatedly shown that communities of color and environmental justice communities are much more likely to have been hit hard by COVID-19, making innovative approaches that address these issues crucial to recovery. In response, many cities have turned to tactical street interventions. In Massachusetts, the widely-praised Shared Streets and Spaces grant program has dispersed $10.2 million for 103 tactical projects to cities across the Commonwealth in a record 100 days. GBH News transportation reporter Bob Seay and MassINC fellow Dr. Tracy Corley explore the impacts of tactical street projects on equity in local communities. Bob and Tracy welcome Kate Fichter, Assistant Secretary for Policy Coordination for MassDOT, Warren Logan, Policy Director of Mobility and Inter Agency Relations for the City of Oakland, CA, and David Kucharsky, Director of Traffic and Parking Director for the City of Salem to discuss the successes and challenges of Shared Streets, Slow Streets, and related projects that aim to improve transportation access and connections for all. This event is one of a series of TTOD Talks co-produced by MassINC and the GBH Forum Network. Image: Pexels.com
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