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LivableStreets Adopting New Program: Great Neighborhoods

We’re excited to announce that we will be adopting the Great Neighborhoods program from the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance on July 1, 2020 as they go through an organizational transition. Great Neighborhoods focuses on issues like zoning reform and grassroots organizing, which will complement LivableStreets’ transportation advocacy and provide us with a framework and network to dive more into housing issues.

We are thrilled to welcome Great Neighborhoods Director, Anabelle Rondon, to the LivableStreets team beginning officially in July. You can contact her at [email protected]. 

Check out the Great Neighborhoods announcement to learn more, and click here to learn more about the larger MA Smart Growth Alliance transition. Stay tuned for further updates! 

Check Out Recordings From Our Virtual StreetTalk Series

Yesterday was our fourth and final Virtual StreetTalk in the series that we kicked off in April in order to explore mobility challenges brought about by COVID-19. We were joined by hundreds of attendees across the country, including practitioners, advocates, and elected and agency officials.

Thank you to everyone who tuned in, our speakers, co-sponsors, and our host, the WGBH Forum Network. You can view recordings of all our virtual StreetTalks here.

Read the Latest Post in Our LivableStreets Staff Blog

In our last LivableStreets Staff Blog post, we talked about how inequities in our transportation system and society existed long before COVID-19, although the virus has highlighted how widespread, ingrained, and unacceptable these inequities are. After this public health crisis has passed, we cannot simply “return to normal,” because that normal was deeply flawed.

In a follow up blog post, we discuss potential solutions and give recommendations for moving forward. Read both Part One and Part Two, as well as other posts, on our website.

The City of Boston Plans for Safer Streets During and After COVID-19

At a press conference earlier this week, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh outlined potential changes to Boston’s streets and sidewalks in order to prioritize safety. The City is considering widening sidewalks in business districts, opening up vehicle lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, and expanding bus stops and bus priority. Check out this article from WGBH to learn more. 

LivableStreets has been weighing in on these conversations with recommendations and leadership -- check out the following: 

• April 13th: Worked with our Vision Zero Coalition partners to put out a statement on keeping people safe while making essential trips that provided recommendations to municipalities
• April 29th: Hosted our second Virtual StreetTalk on keeping people healthy and safe on our streets, featuring Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley
• May 7th: Gave testimony at the Boston Transportation & Public Works Departments budget hearing
• May 12th: Served on an expert panel for a City Council hearing on implementing changes for safe streets during and after COVID-19

Many of the projects that we are hoping to see move forward as a response to COVID-19 were also highlighted in our recent progress report on the City’s work implementing Go Boston 2030.

Opportunities

• City of Boston, Corridor Planner: The Boston Transportation Department (BTD) is seeking a highly motivated Transportation Program Planner to lead a community process for revitalization of Blue Hill Avenue and Columbia Road, two of the City's most iconic and diverse boulevards. The ideal candidate is committed to public service and exhibits an interest for mobility planning and improving the quality of life of Boston's residents. For more info and to apply please click here.

Thank you!

Check out the following resources to learn more about what we've been up to lately!

• Press: Read local and national press featuring LivableStreets and our work.
• StreetFilms: Watch videos highlighting our advocacy and events.
• Greenway Stories: Join us as we explore greenway successes and challenges around the Boston area.

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