CREATING CONNECTEDCREATING CONNECTED COMMUNITIESSarah Graham PrincipalSarah Graham, PrincipalStrategic Economics

RailVolutionSeptember 24, 2014

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

What makes a connected community?What makes a connected community?

Wh t t d iti ? Why create connected communities?

Strategies for making the connections

What Makes a Connected Community?What Makes a Connected Community?A connected community is a place where residents ha e access to a range of ho singresidents have access to a range of housing choices and can safely and conveniently meet their daily needs on foot, bicycle and public transit, as well as in a car.

Connected communities are characterized by:y

Connections to Destinations

Places for People

Walkable Street DesignWalkable Street Design

Why Create Connected Communities?Why Create Connected Communities?

1 I d Q lit f Lif1. Improved Quality of Life2. More Resilient Local Economy3. More Efficient Use of Public Funds

EfficientMore Efficient Use of Public Funds

More Resilient

Local Economy

Improved Quality of

LifeConnected Community

Strategies to Improve ConnectionsStrategies to Improve Connections

Convene decision makersConvene decision makers Provide multiple transportation options Promote accessible affordable housing in Promote accessible affordable housing in

connected places Support established Support established

neighborhoods Refocus financial Refocus financial

resources

1 Convene Decision Makers1. Convene Decision Makers

Align city departments and others around theAlign city departments and others around the shared goal of linking housing and transportation policy, planning, and p p y, p g,investment decisions. Make housing and transportation integration g p g

“business as usual.” Convene regional, state, federal, and g

community partners.

2. Provide Multiple Transportation OptionsOptions

Example: Lake Worth FL:Example: Lake Worth, FL:Limited financial resourcesIncremental bicycle andIncremental bicycle and pedestrian improvements

3. Promote Accessible Affordable Housing in Connected CommunitiesConnected Communities

Example: Park AlamedaExample: Park Alameda Located downtown Good bus service Good bus service Close to jobs, retail,

and servicesand services Discounted bus passes

for residentsfor residents

4. Support Established NeighborhoodsNeighborhoods

Example: Portland, MEExample: Portland, ME Focus development

in neighborhood adjacent to downtown Pursue funding for

i f t tinfrastructure

5 Refocus Financial Resources5. Refocus Financial Resources

Example: Gonzales CAExample: Gonzales, CA Seek out state and

federal grantsfederal grants Create partnerships

Sarah Graham

Resources and ContactsSarah Grahamsgraham@strategiceconomics.com

Creating Connected Communitieshttp://www.huduser.org/portal/publications/commdevl/connehttp://www.huduser.org/portal/publications/commdevl/connecting_communities.html