MOBILITY UNBOUND
Imagine a society where everyone is free to move safely and with self-determination; where everyone flourishes socially, culturally and economically, unrestricted by structural barriers within transportation systems.
Achieving this vision of mobility unbound requires a collaborative approach that is grounded in principles of mobility justice. This framework begins with an understanding of the ways that transportation infrastructure and practices have historically excluded or harmed groups of people, particularly communities of color, in order to heal the harms of the past and build transportation systems that work for all.
Building systems that work for everyone requires that we acknowledge the unjust histories of mobility and economic prosperity in American cities.
A mobility justice approach to transportation planning includes facilitating dialogue, funding the participation of people and community organizations who are directly affected, and establishing partnerships that lead to the shared decision-making that is necessary for meaningful repair.
By taking a mobility justice approach, government agencies and elected officials can advance transportation policies, programs, and projects that bring community-driven visions to life.
Reimagining Albany
The Community Connectors project in Albany, NY aims to reconnect residents to the Hudson River and to each other by supporting community-led co-creation of the redesign process and ensure inclusive, resilient, and safe development for community residents harmed by I-787 and the building of the Empire State Plaza complex.
The
The Community Connectors’ work is focused on three neighborhoods that were divided by I-787 (South End, Port of Albany, and Pastures) and six neighborhoods that are adjacent to I-787 (Arbor Hill, Downtown, Mansion District, North Albany, Warehouse District, West Hill). According to the 2020 Census, the seven corresponding census tracts have a total population of 24,352 [1]. About 71% of residents identify as persons of color, with the majority (59%) identifying as Black [2]. The Median Household Income of every census tract area in the target area, is considerably less than the NYS Median Housing Income of $75,157, ranging from a low of $24,792 to a high of $59,325 [3].
These neighborhoods are considered urban and the land use is primarily zoned as commercial, mixed-use, or residential [4]. Numerous schools, churches, mission/homeless centers, and youth development agencies operate within these neighborhoods, including an active Albany Public Library System [5]. Limited parks and green spaces contribute to poor air quality, high asthma rates, and other health-related burdens, as well as the potential for urban heat island effects [6].
The
The construction of Interstate 787 resulted in nine miles of highway along the edge of the Hudson River that divided most of the city from the waterfront, which was particularly detrimental to the surrounding overburdened and disadvantaged communities. The I-787 has had lasting negative economic, environmental, social, and public health impacts that divided communities and exacerbated pre-existing hardships created by red-lining practices and other efforts to displace the majority Black communities [7].
The
The Albany Community Connectors team aims to advocate throughout the redesign process of Interstate-787 in Albany, NY, to ensure that community-led co-creation leads to healthy, inclusive, resilient, and safe development for the community harmed by I-787. The top priority is to reconnect residents who have been divided from neighbors and the river to improve their overall quality of life and work.
The
Each City Snapshot offers local historical context related to mobility justice. The MOBILITY LEGACIES are organized according to five themes.
These MOBILITY LEGACIES do not provide exhaustive histories of the cities. Rather, they point to harmful policies and decisions and, subsequently, opportunities for repair and reconnection.
