Transportation is more than infrastructure—it’s a foundation for economic vitality and community well-being. In cities and towns across the globe, the quality and accessibility of transportation systems shape not only how people get from point A to point B, but also how they access opportunities for employment, education, and recreation. Strategic investments in transportation not only reduce commute times and ease congestion; they also serve as powerful engines for economic growth and community development.
Archive for June, 2025
Building Mobility, Building Prosperity
Monday, June 30th, 2025Building the Future: Actions to Achieve Great Homes and Neighborhoods in New Jersey and Beyond
Monday, June 30th, 2025New Jersey is amidst a deepening housing crisis—particularly an affordability crisis. In all corners of the state, longtime residents are being priced out of their homes as housing costs soar. In fact, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, New Jersey has a shortage of over 200,000 housing units for low-income residents. Newark now ranks as the most difficult city in the United States to find a rental property. More than one-third of New Jersey residents are cost-burdened, meaning that they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. These statistics make one thing clear: New Jersey’s housing crisis cannot be ignored.
“A Historically High Level of Compliance:” New Jersey Towns Are Making Progress in Meeting Their Affordable Housing Targets
Monday, June 30th, 2025New Jersey’s high housing costs make life difficult for everyone, especially individuals and households at the lower end of the income spectrum. New Jersey’s Mount Laurel doctrine addresses the need for housing for lower-income households. The process by which towns satisfy their affordable housing obligations was recently updated with the passage of new legislation (now colloquially referred to as A4/S50), which established a formal methodology for determining municipal obligations and laid out a timeline of compliance for municipalities to follow.
The Road Ahead: Why Housing Trends Will Shape New Jersey’s Future
Thursday, June 26th, 2025On Day 1 of the New Jersey Planning and Redevelopment Conference, the keynote session “The Road Ahead: Economic, Housing, and Real Estate Trends” painted a clear picture of the challenges and opportunities shaping New Jersey’s housing future—and why the stakes are higher than ever.
Clawbacks of Transportation and Green Infrastructure Funding
Thursday, June 19th, 2025Despite New Jersey facing growing flood risks, the federal government is now targeting low-cost solutions like green infrastructure for funding cuts to reduce spending. Green Infrastructure absorbs and slows stormwater runoff, curbs flooding in communities, and reduces the pollution that reaches waterways; however, green infrastructure needs broad implementation to make a difference. The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) previously provided federal funding for projects that incorporated green infrastructure, but staff with the Urban Institute shared a leaked memo revealing new priorities.
From Liberation to Livability: The Deep Connection Between Juneteenth and Urban Development
Thursday, June 19th, 2025As we reflect on the powerful conversations and momentum sparked during the New Jersey Planning and Redevelopment Conference held just days ago, we also find ourselves reflecting on another moment of significance—Juneteenth. Though these two events may appear unrelated in nature, they are bound by a common thread: the enduring pursuit of freedom, equity, and opportunity for communities of color and other historically marginalized populations.
Walking Together: Honoring Our History, Healing Through Nature, Reimagining What’s Possible
Monday, June 16th, 2025As we approach this year’s Juneteenth, many of us will gather to commemorate a day of delayed freedom—an emancipation long overdue, and one still too often compromised. We will remember the ongoing struggle for Black liberation. But we must also reflect on where that liberation happens: in places where we can breathe freely, move freely, and simply be.