Equitable Transit-Oriented Communities: Shaping Ecosystems of Equity, Health, and Affordability in Austin

Understand the process for equitable engagement to reveal opportunities that mitigate displacement while advancing community aspirations, identity, and priorities before formalizing TOC approaches.

Public transit infrastructure investment has often resulted in unintentional disruption and displacement of local/small businesses and residents. This leads to erosion of a community's fabric and its culture. Low-income communities of color are disproportionately affected by this good intent to reduce carbon emissions and boost economic well-being of the region. The city of Austin, in partnership with Capital Metro, a transit agency, has made a purposeful shift in its approach to an ambitious $10.3 billion public transit system called Project Connect. They are committed to delivering equitable transit-oriented communities (ETOCs) beyond just transit infrastructure. This means thoughtfully embedding a social, and economic regulatory policy framework, in addition to a physical accessible environment of health, affordability, and low-carbon living for people of all income, abilities, and age groups. They are developing an equitable transit-oriented development study to deliver such an inclusive future. The panelists will share insights into new policy directions being proposed to catalyze equitable outcomes for legacy residents and future residents. They will share progress being made toward equitable mobility access, housing affordability, business protection, real estate strategies, funding and financing tools, and place keeping mandates to deliver healthy, sustainable, and equitable ETOCs.