The names and faces occupying decision-making positions in the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization do not reflect the names and faces of the people they are meant to represent.
Angie Schmitt shares news of a recently released report [pdf] examining the gender, race, and geography of decision-making boards represented in the Austin region’s Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO).
Jay Crossley completed the study, with crowdfunding to support the project, and arrived at an unsurprising finding: "women, people of color, and urban residents are significantly underrepresented at CAMPO — with potentially profound consequences for transportation policy."
Schmitt shares several of the visualizations from the report, to illustrate the massive disconnect between CAMPO's boards and the populations they represent. Crossley promises to explore question of how much the skewed representation affects transportation policy in the second phase of the project.
FULL STORY: How Unrepresentative Is Your Regional Planning Agency?
Big Expansion Approved for Austin-Area Highway
The Transportation Policy Board of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization approved a big spending increase for a project to widen U.S. Highway 183.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
Tesla Protests Release of Documents About Austin Robotaxi Launch
The company seeks to block the release of emails with city officials on the grounds they could contain confidential information and trade secrets.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)