If We Want Everything To Be A 15-Minute Walk From Home, State Needs To Get Involved

[M II A II R II K]

If We Want Everything To Be A 15-Minute Walk From Home, Report Says State Needs To Get Involved


September 29, 2021

By Chris Lisinski

Read More: https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/09/29...nkId=134418509

Report: https://www.bostonindicators.org/-/m...6E239F8DDE89B6

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In a new report, authors with Boston Indicators and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership concluded that a long history of policy choices and hyperlocal decision-making have rendered many neighborhoods segregated, unaffordable and car-centric. Achieving a solution, they said, will require a greater state government focus on zoning, housing development and other fabric-of-life issues.

- In a new report, authors with Boston Indicators and the Massachusetts Housing Partnership concluded that a long history of policy choices and hyperlocal decision-making have rendered many neighborhoods segregated, unaffordable and car-centric. Achieving a solution, they said, will require a greater state government focus on zoning, housing development and other fabric-of-life issues. --- The 82-page report's proposals include authorizing multi-family housing by right, particularly near transit options, supporting mixed-use zoning to encourage linking residential and business development, and investing in businesses and workforce development in communities of color. Housing and transit will play a key role in achieving more walkable, interconnected cityscapes and townscapes, authors said. They called for substantial action from Beacon Hill aimed at increasing the state's limited housing supply, particularly for income-restricted units.

- Authors noted that an economic development bill Gov. Charlie Baker signed in January requires every city and town served by the MBTA to develop at least one multi-family zoning district, calling it "an important step" to make housing more accessible to low- and moderate-income families. On the transportation front, Boston Indicators and MHP voiced support for several reforms that have sputtered in the Legislature, including a statewide gas tax hike, higher per-ride fees on transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft, and implementation of a congestion pricing system that alters roadway toll levels based on traffic conditions. --- Implementing those state-level changes will require significant action from lawmakers, who so far have not signaled that transportation revenue or zoning reform are policy priorities for the current session. "Where I think we are falling short is really on political will," said Tracy Corley, director of research and partnerships at the Conservation Law Foundation.

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Large swaths of the greater Boston area remain zoned for single-family residences only, a trend that researchers say in a new report leaves the concept of "15-minute neighborhoods" out of reach for many Massachusetts residents. (Courtesy Boston Indicators)

[llamaorama]

If simply not having zoning was all it took to create a 15-minute city where everything is walkable, then why aren't unincorporated sprawlburbs in Raleigh turning into Barcelona?

Also I while I strongly support walkable urbanism, transit, density, etc, etc to be honest I really dislike the 15-minute city concept. Lots and lots of things that people need or which enrich their lives can't really be supported by a tiny urban village alone unless a place is really affluent. I think cities thrive on connectedness and scale and the ability to trade niche goods and services. Especially in the present day and going into the future where most jobs are in the service industry and the internet and remote work is a factor.