Low Supply of Workforce Housing Persists in Employment Hubs Throughout Boston

Housing that is close to major employment centers remains unaffordable to a large portion of workers in the Boston metropolitan area, despite the decline in home prices that occurred in many parts of the region during the recession. This is the conclusion of new research published by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Terwilliger Center for Workforce Housing. In Priced Out: Persistence of the Workforce Housing Gap in the Boston Metro Area, researchers examine the availability of for-sale and rental housing near six major employment hubs in the Boston area, specifically in terms of housing that is affordable to workforce households. The study found that there is currently a shortage of about 25,000 housing units affordable to workforce households near each of the six employment centers, with the number expected to increase.
www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=7808

Article courtesy of Smart Growth Online

Demolition of Baltimore's 'Highway to Nowhere' Underway

Demolition is officially underway of a segment of Baltimore's infamous "Highway to Nowhere." The demolition will make way for an expansion of parking at the West Baltimore MARC Station. The project will reunite the communities of West Baltimore that have been physically separated since the highway's construction in the early 1970s. The full improvement project is scheduled for completion in fall of 2010 and will support 35 jobs.
www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=7801

 

Article courtesy of Smart Growth Online

Tri-State Transportation Planning Agencies Seek Input

To better understand the tri-state area's transportation needs now and into the future, the region's transportation planning agencies are launching a Regional Travel Survey that will look at how – and why – people move around 28 targeted counties in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Beginning in September and continuing over the next year, travel data will be collected from more than 18,000 randomly selected households in this area. The results will allow planners and transportation providers to develop plans to improve transit systems, reduce traffic congestion, address air quality issues, and ensure the safety of the region's transportation network.
www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=7802

Article courtesy of Smart Growth online

California Takes the First Step toward More Livable, Sustainable Communities

California has adopted goals for more healthy and sustainable communities that improve the way communities are planned and promote more transportation choices. On September 23, the Air Resources Board adopted targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 and 2035 associated with passenger vehicle travel in the state's 18 Metropolitan Planning Organizations. The proposed targets, required under SB 375 (2008, Steinberg), are designed to help coordinate land use and transportation planning.
www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=7798

Article courtesy of Smart Growth Online

California Leads the Green Movement

There's nothing like a major boost in gasoline prices to motivate the American consumer. Automakers are hard at work producing green friendly, fuel-saving vehicles. This push for all things green is more than a trendy cause...it's politically savvy, environmentally conscious and increasingly profitable.


Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/california-leads-the-green-movement-1314270.html#ixzz10qIY2gux
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

 

Storefront environmental museum opening Oct. 1

“e” inc., a Boston-based non profit that promotes environmental science literacy, is opening a storefront museum early next month.

The Learning Room will be a warehouse space to teach students – and the general public – about the science of sustainability with the goal of sparking community action in urban communities.

The group already works with more than 800 students in after school and summer programs.

The storefront museum is designed to teach environmental science to children, youth and families, inspire civic leadership, and train teachers and adults to create and carry out projects to help the environment.

The free opening is on Friday, October 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. at “e” inc.’s headquarters at 337 Summer Street. Afterward, a visit will cost $5 per child for the public and schools will pay a fee for field trips.

“Our aim is to reach every child, teen and family in the Greater Boston area and help them learn about how the Earth works and what they can do to protect it,’’ said “e” inc. director Ricky Stern. “The room is really such a wonderful opportunity for kids to really try things and ideas on and see how they are made or related -- we have them go outside and unroll a 100 foot rope just to see how huge a blue whale is.’’

Article courtesy of Boston.Com The Green Blog Posted by Beth Daley

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"America's cities can be the engines of green innovation, leading the way in new technologies, energy efficiency and sustainable development." –Lisa P. Jackson, U.S. EPA

www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=7788

 

Article courtesy of Smart Growth (www.smartgrowth.org)