Metro Magazine, November 2020

12 METRO MAGAZINE COM NOVEMBER 2020 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE A HOLISTIC INTEGRATED APPROACH TO ADVANCE EQUITY IN TRANSPORTATION Today advancing new transportation infrastructure requires that everyone involved understand our collective history and work to avoid mistakes of the past By Janet Gonzalez Tudor Cathy LaFata and Kim Pallari SPECIAL REPORT INCLUSION As communities across the U S developed in the post World World II era transportation infrastructure created divides in many communities that remain today Major transit systems built prior to the National Environmental Policy Act becoming law in 1970 and particularly prior to the advent of environmental justice in 1994 often separated communities or displaced lower income residents and businesses In many cases underserved and underrepresented communities those who needed public transportation most were impacted significantly And it was often due to the fact that they did not have a seat at the table or were not represented in the decision making process Today advancing new transportation infrastructure requires that everyone involved understand our collective history and work to avoid mistakes of the past With many communities in the U S in the middle of a reckoning on equity issues people are asking civic leaders to view their infrastructure and funding priorities through an equity lens This is most critical for public transportation which is at the heart of leveling a communitys playing field and ensuring equity through access to economic opportunities essential needs and services An equitable public transportation system ensures that communities will evolve grow successfully and continue to sustain their quality of life for generations to come This requires understanding the needs of the communities for whom a system is being built All photos courtesy HDR A holistic environmental justice approach involves a partnership between project sponsors and communities and their leaders to better comprehend the issues of the past their impact on current perceptions and how best to collaborate on solutions that do not repeat wrongdoings AVOIDING PAST MISTAKES A new or updated transit infrastructure project can improve community well being by providing equity through access to education healthcare essential employment food and other critical human needs Or it can leave behind a community that is already underserved or underrepresented reinforcing historical inequities The environmental justice process is intended to ensure fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race ethnicity origin or income in project development and implementation It is much more than just a part of the NEPA process It should be at the core of a projects framework to make sure public leaders owners developers designers and all those engaged in the development and implementation process understand who the project burdens and benefits ELEVATING VOICES Those engaged in advancing projects have an opportunity and a responsibility to improve the quality of life for broad swaths of people It is not enough to conclude that a project burdens