“Livability Principles” will guide Federal housing, environmental and transportation policy

“We have a window of opportunity to think differently about transportation and propose bold, new approaches to improve the livability of our nation’s communities.”

That's the message I delivered to the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee today. In announcing our agencies’ Partnership for Sustainable Communities, I was joined by my counterparts at HUD, Sec. Shaun Donovan, and the EPA, Administrator Lisa Jackson.

In March I opened a discussion about Livable Communities here and in testimony before Congress. Today, we have a new set of 6 Livability Principles to help enact that Livable Communities Initiative.

These six principles will help us coordinate federal transportation, environmental protection, and housing investments at our respective agencies. As I told the Senate Committee, “These principles mean that we will all be working off the same playbook to formulate and implement policies and programs.”

1. Providing more transportation choices;

2. Expanding access to affordable housing, particularly housing located close to transit;

3. Enhancing economic competitiveness-–giving people access to jobs, education and services as well as giving businesses access to markets;

4. Targeting federal funds toward existing communities to spur revitalization and protect rural landscapes;

5. Increasing collaboration among federal, state, and local governments to better target investments and improve accountability;

6. Valuing the unique qualities of all communities--whether urban, suburban, or rural.

These six principles will help us coordinate federal transportation, environmental protection, and housing investments at our respective agencies. As I told the Senate Committee, “These principles mean that we will all be working off the same playbook to formulate and implement policies and programs.”

Earlier this year, HUD and DOT announced an unprecedented agreement to implement joint housing and transportation initiatives.  With EPA joining the partnership, all three agencies will work together to ensure that these housing and transportation goals are met while simultaneously protecting the environment, promoting equitable development, and helping to address the challenges of climate change.

I particularly want to thank Senator Dodd for his role in encouraging us to join forces and work together. And, we are grateful to President Obama and his senior advisors for supporting this important effort.

 
One of the first contributions Administrator Jackson made came in her statement to the Committee today. It beautifully summed up our goal this way: “We’re leading the way towards communities that are cleaner, healthier, more affordable, and great destinations for businesses and jobs.”

I thank EPA Administrator Jackson for signing on. And, I look forward to working with her and Secretary Donovan. Ours will be a productive partnership that eliminates waste and conflict and combines our agencies’ human and financial resources to meet shared goals.

Comments

[David Works]

This sounds promising, but also challenging. I hope that you are able to meet your goals set above. People are hurting and need these organizations to step in and assist in all areas mentioned, or in any way possible. Good luck and thank you for the hard work.

[Richard Campbell]

This is a huge step forward and if accompanied by greatly expanded investment in transit, will help transform the country and revive the economy in many communities. Keep up the great work.

[Christopher Yake]

Secretary LaHood,

I cannot congratulate you enough for your Livability Principles designed in concert with EPA and HUD. This is precisely the integrated transportation, housing, land use and environment approach we need to create livable, economically robust communities. Please continue to support transit/bicycle/pedestrian oriented development.

[David "Bud" Laumer, AICP, LCI 2210, AHTD]

It looks like the promise that was ISTEA is finally about to be realized. We need Education at the table to ensure that school siting and scale work to promote walking and bicycling to school. And, we need Health at the table to force the rest of us to measure health outcomes in mode choice. A DOT office of health and safety would go a long way in capturing the health benefits for measurement against safety costs associated with active transportation.

[Anthony Siracusa]

Thanks for this powerful vision of how transportation impacts and supports a number of key policy areas. It is both refreshing and and inspirational.

As a daily bicycle commuter, and as someone who enjoyed your remarks at the last bicycle summit this past March, I hope that improving bicycle infrastructure to encourage bicycle commuting continues to be a part of the Obama administration's new transportation "playbook." Keep up the good work!

Thanks again!

[Marasoiu Marian Puiu]

Hello!
I am agreeed with all yours position with building of news raiylways in all mode posibility .In this way will created hundreds of job workers and new lines principal for united more fast capacity to transportation peoples in safe,quiqly in time eficient in any direction way whop want the passenger.If you have and money inaf to implementation this project is great.Because remember with wat America have in the first pasrt of colonization of teritory first The railways.
Sincerly,
Mr.Marasoiu Marian
Freedomillenium Org.and International Group Action.

[Rob]

This is potentially a fresh and productive approach; however, care should be taken not to accept justification of urban highway expansion on the basis of improved access to "high quality" rubber tire transit solutions, especially those that are not barrier separated. In addition, MPO models need to be improved and standardized in order to realize the goals embraced by Livability Principles.

[Melanie Simmons]

Secretary LaHood,

I am in agreement with Richard Campbell's assessment (above). I also urge the Department of Transportation and Department of Energy to work together to include district energy strategies in transit oriented developments (TOD). This would mean a TOD association that would share energy facilities and benefits at reduced costs and greenhouse gas emissions. We can realize the connection between Smart Grids and Smart Growth.

[Rena]

This all sounds great! I only hope that within your goals and plan you are working to ensure racial disparities are not increased by the principles you are setting forth. So my questions are.......Will racial disparities be increased or decreased by these principles? and/or What will be the impact on communities of color as you set forth your principles?

[kazanganti]

This sounds promising, but also challenging. I hope that you are able to meet your goals set above. People are hurting and need these organizations to step in and assist in all areas mentioned, or in any way possible. Good luck and thank you for the hard work.

[Rebecca]

Sounds very promising!

[Michael]

Yes very promisnig.