livable communities through sustainable Transportation
The Graham Institute recently concluded the first phase of our "Advancing Livable Communities through Sustainable Transportation" Integrated Assessment (IA) and selected two participating projects* for additional funding.
Each research project (completed and continuing) asks the question: What policies, interventions, innovations, and partnerships best enable urban areas to create more livable communities?
To answer this question, the IAs bring together researchers, stakeholders, and decision-makers to develop common analytical approaches, data sets, tools, and policies for relevant sustainable transportation and livable community interventions. This holistic view incorporates a wide range of policies and strategies including sustainable transportation initiatives, land-use planning, economic development, communications and telecommunications, technology, environmental protection, health promotion, and more.
Integrated Assessment Planning Grant Projects
An effective IA in this context first requires identifying innovative efforts and partners willing to collaborate. To support this work, the Graham Institute funded the following five planning grants at $20,000 each. These planning grants lasted for six months and ran concurrently between November 30, 2011 and May 31, 2012. The five projects involved 13 University of Michigan faculty from six academic units and nine different communities (Los Angeles, Pasadena, San Francisco, Portland, Tacoma, Olympia, Kalamazoo, Ypsilanti, and Detroit). The principal investigators and their projects were/are as follows:
- Richard Gonzalez, Institute for Social Research: Consumer Uptake of Seamless, Multi-Modal Mobility (the New Mobility Grid): Policies and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Affecting Behavior of Users and Decision Makers*
- Steve Underwood, University of Michigan-Dearborn: An Integrated Assessment of the Potential for Innovative, Disruptive Applications of Technology for Transportation to Advance Livability and Sustainability*
- Jarod Kelly, School of Natural Resources & Environment: Integrated Assessment of Infrastructure Greening within Detroit for Improved Sustainable Transportation, Water Quality, and Health
- Larissa Larsen/Joe Grengs, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning: Providing Healthy Food and Transportation Access for Lower Income Populations in Eastern Washtenaw County
- Richard K. Norton, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning: Realigning Public Services for Sustainability & Social Equity in Kalamazoo County
This fall, the first two projects listed above were selected to receive approximately $150,000 each in additional research funding (for IAs to be completed within a 15-month time period). For more information, please contact: John Callewaert, Graham Institute Integrated Assessment Program Director, (734) 615-3752 or jcallew@umich.edu.