Thinking Through Solutions

Aug 30

Written By Cityfi

2,394 words in this newsletter - about 10 minutes and 4 seconds to read.

By Ryan Parzick

Labor Day is this weekend, meaning the unofficial end of summer is upon us (at least for some of us). This also can signal the winding down of many of our road improvement projects that start earnestly when the weather improves in the Spring and aim to wrap up before the weather turns in the Fall. What better way to celebrate the long weekend than a writeup about a very underappreciated part of this process - right-of-way permitting! Principal Erin Clark breaks down how cities can wield this mighty tool to keep streets safe, organized, and just plain better for everyone. Plus, she explains how the right permit policies can turn urban chaos into a well-orchestrated symphony of construction, convenience, and community.

Then, as you are fully enriched in your knowledge of the right-of-way, enjoy the extra time off by thinking even bigger. Austinite, and Cityfi Associate, Ryan Parzick details a highway expansion project less than two miles from his home and the alternative actions being taken by the City to steer drivers away from using the soon-to-be widened I-35.

When your long weekend is over and you are pining for some more interesting education and discussion around city solutions, we have just the treat for you (in fact, we have two!). We are officially announcing our Climate Migration webinar series kicking off in mid-October and Senior Associate Sarah Saltz announces the launch of Project MOVER in Ossining, NY! Read on for more details!

So buckle up - or better yet, strap on your helmet - as we explore just some of the many interesting and exciting parts of city living. We’re here to be your partners in making our urban environments better for everybody!

The Power of Permitting

By Erin Clark

Our team has recently been thinking about the “power of permitting,” specifically as it relates to right-of-way (ROW) permits. The authority to permit the use of the right-of-way (streets, curb lanes, and sidewalks) is an often under-utilized municipal power that can do a lot to keep our cities safer (Vision Zero!), more organized, and well-maintained. And there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with this authority – cities are generally tasked with assigning priorities for the use of the right-of-way according to the “highest and best use” – in other words, maximizing the public benefit.

If you live in a city, just walk down the street to see the positive (or negative) impacts of ROW permitting.

Scenario 1: Consider you’re out pushing your toddler in her stroller headed to the daycare during the morning commute and you run into a mid-block sidewalk closure due to a construction project with no prior notification signs or designated detour. Due to lax permitting or enforcement, you’re now forced to push the stroller out around a parked car into heavy traffic to maneuver around the closed sidewalk. Fortunately, you’re able to navigate it safely, but not without stress and a real risk to you and your little one.

Scenario 2: There are multiple construction projects utilizing large segments of sidewalks to store equipment in a 5 block radius. However, the city has graduated permit fees, so fees escalate and use of the sidewalk becomes very expensive if projects aren’t completed in a timely manner. Further, the city strictly enforces requirements for safe, convenient, accessible pedestrian detours into the parking lane. As a resident, you barely notice the impact to your commute (and are able to keep hitting your 10,000 steps safely). As a nearby business owner, adequate parking and access to your storefront is maintained, ensuring the construction doesn’t impact your sales.

In cities with the staff capacity, resources, a good permit management system, clear policies, and meaningful collaboration with developers and utility companies, you’ll find that work in the ROW doesn’t create chaos and unsafe conditions and enables important utility work and positive construction and development in our cities. Make no mistake, the cities that “do it right” have invested a lot of time and resources into their permitting processes, policies, and fee schedules.

Cityfi works with cities to rethink their policies around ROW permitting, and we often spend significant time with clients advising on permit fees, which can be used both as a carrot and stick to encourage behavior that leads to safer, more organized, and well-maintained city streets. Historically, many cities are limited in what costs can be recovered and how fees can be used to incentivize behavior, so we’ve had to get innovative and make compelling policy arguments at times.

There are generally three areas to consider when determining appropriate permit fees that both capture the true costs of ROW work for the city and the public and help to encourage safe, efficient, necessary work.

Administrative Costs – these are the costs to the City to review, issue, inspect, and manage permitted projects. These are often fairly easy to quantify.
True Public Costs – these are the costs to the City and the public when a street, curb lane, or sidewalk are closed. These are often harder to quantify (but it can be done!) and relate to impacts on safety, traffic congestion, detour time, emissions, and business.
Public Benefits – these are positive impacts of ROW work, such as improvements to pedestrian infrastructure, even though the improvements will cause a short-term closure of the sidewalk segment. These benefits should be rewarded with fee discounts or waivers to incentivize projects with a large public benefit.

While these sound like three simple categories, ROW permitting is complex, often with a lot of nuance, unique scenarios to consider, and political implications. However, permitting remains a powerful tool for cities in a time when cities are seeing significant increases in demand for use of their limited street, curb, and sidewalk space. Interested in revisiting your city’s permitting policies and fee structure? Reach out!

Bigger is Not Always Better

By Ryan Parzick

Living in Austin, TX, I have been hearing about the inevitable widening of I-35 for almost a decade. The time has finally come, as construction is set to begin later this year, but that doesn’t mean the discussions and planning are over. Before I get into the specifics of Austin, let’s zoom out to the broader issue of highway widening itself. State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) often resort to widening highways as a primary strategy to alleviate traffic congestion. This approach is based on the belief that increasing road capacity will ease traffic flow. However, the concept of induced demand has proven otherwise. Induced demand posits that expanding roadways leads to increased traffic volumes, as the additional capacity encourages more people to drive - sometimes eschewing alternative means of mobility or even taking trips they otherwise would not have embarked upon, ultimately restoring congestion to previous levels. This phenomenon has been observed in various cities, where road expansions have failed to deliver long-term congestion relief and have instead led to higher traffic volumes. Despite this evidence, highway widening remains a popular but ineffective solution to congestion.

Now, back to Austin. For those of you who are not familiar with the interstate that runs through the heart of the city, it’s literally a very divisive topic. The planned widening of I-35 has only amplified this contention. The history of I-35 is intertwined with racial injustice, as its original construction in the 1960s reinforced segregation by dividing the predominantly White areas of Central and West Austin from the Black and Hispanic communities in East Austin. The current expansion plans have been criticized for potentially exacerbating these historical injustices. In response, the City of Austin has explored alternative solutions, such as the cap-and-stitch initiative. This approach involves creating deck plazas over the sunken highway, reconnecting divided neighborhoods, and providing green spaces and community amenities. The cap-and-stitch plan aims to mitigate the highway's divisive impact and promote urban cohesion. Discussions on how much area will be covered and exactly how to use the new “land” the caps will create are still in progress, but even these conversations are contentious.

TxDOT has estimated the widening process will cost $4.5 billion through 2032 for 8 miles of highway. This money does not include the cap-and-stitch plan, which is to be funded by the City. That is a lot of money which could be spent on other means of mobility - ones that have proven track records of improving congestion, lowering the environmental toll, promoting equity, and not creating physical dividers between neighborhoods. In 2020, City voters approved a bond package increasing property taxes by 8.25 cents per $100 of valuation for Project Connect, which will expand and enhance the public transit network across the Central Texas region. The City was recently awarded roughly $47.9 million from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program from the EPA to help fund projects such as mobility hubs to help mitigate traffic disruptions caused by the construction on I-35 while concurrently building the foundation for long-term strategies for improving mobility in the region - such as encouraging the use of micromobility options like bikes and scooters. Currently Austin lacks the density necessary for micromobility options to be realistic for many of the city’s residents who do not live downtown or immediately adjacent neighborhoods, which is where land use and urban planning come into play. Recently, Austin City Council eliminated minimum parking requirements, reduced the minimum lot size for single-family housing, and allowed more units to be built on lots zoned for single-family housing. This approach aims to create walkable neighborhoods that reduce the need for long car commutes, aligning with the city's goals to decrease car dependency and enhance urban livability. Strategies such as congestion pricing (we are still holding out hope for New York!) are not on the table, but let’s check back in when the I-35 expansion is completed and we are back to gridlock.

As you can see, something as “simple” as reducing congestion, is not simple at all. At Cityfi, that’s what we pride ourselves in - taking complex problems and coming up with human-centric solutions. Bringing together invested parties who may not organically work with each other on these issues, helping them build creative and effective solutions for the people they serve.

Climate Migration Webinar!

By Chrissy Anecito, Nicole Davessar, and Sahar Shirazi

Last year, more than 300,000 Americans moved into flood- or fire-prone counties, with an expected tens of millions more being displaced over the next three decades. Between rising insurance and home rates, and extreme weather events, migration shifts have been unpredictable, leaving local governments unprepared for population changes in their communities.

With these unpredictable changes in population, cities and local governments must begin to consider the effects that these shifts will have in their communities, especially those most impacted. Our upcoming Preventing and Preparing for Climate Related Displacement webinar series will launch the conversation to help local governments highlight programs, policies and pilots that can address the specific needs and challenges of communities facing population change. Conversations in this webinar series will highlight some lessons learned from cities experiencing this population change while simultaneously dealing with extreme weather, and discuss specific actions to take to mitigate the impacts of climate migration.

Our first conversation, Climate Displacement & How to Prepare for Population Change will be in mid-October, where we will meet with local leaders who have dealt with both extreme weather events and population fluctuations. The conversation will focus on methods for cities to employ to prepare for these changes, and will focus on actionable steps for local governments to employ to prepare for what comes next. Be sure to check future newsletters for more details of our upcoming webinars (you can also read more about climate migration in our April 21st, 2023, February 16th, 2024, and June 7th, 2024 newsletters)!

Project MOVER Launches E-Bikeshare Pilot in the Village of Ossining, NY

*Village of Ossining Mayor Rika Levin tries out a new e-bike this week! Photo Credit: The Village of Ossining, NY*

By Sarah Saltz

We are excited to announce the launch of an e-bikeshare pilot in the Hudson Valley this week. The pilot, operated by Drop Mobility in partnership with Shared Mobility, Inc., is first-of-its-kind in many ways and we're excited to continue supporting the dream team that includes EIT InnoEnergy, Nelson/Nygaard, and many more, as we work to bring clean, equitable and affordable transportation to everyone.

The pilot is part of Project MOVER, which is funded by the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) under the New York Clean Transportation Prizes program.

Check out projectmoverbikeshare.com for details and future expansion plans.

MetroLab Summit

Cityfi would like to announce MetroLab Network’s Annual Summit this Fall in Washington, DC! MetroLab Network and Cityfi share the ethos of improving local governments through innovation and transformative change. We wholeheartedly believe that civic innovation can improve the lives of citizens and that research is paramount to practical applications of new policies and programs. In fact, Partner Story Bellows will be part of a conversation around the new and exciting work libraries are doing to benefit our communities beyond their perceived traditional roles.

MetroLab Network is a collaborative of cities, counties, and universities driving positive impact in communities by putting science and research into city halls. Their annual summit brings together 150+ local government leaders, innovators, and academic researchers from across the civic ecosystem that aim to intentionally bring two vital public institutions together in partnership: our local governments and universities.

On the heels of generational investment from the federal government, innovation and economic growth is a priority in regions across the country. As this moves forward, communities are also grappling with complex problems that require capacity, research, and partnership. This year, the summit will focus on “An R&D Agenda in Service of Cities” – or how local governments consider research as an asset, and how this can move forward step by step with the university community during this time of innovation and economic investment.

Don’t miss the chance to connect with peers, share insights, and contribute to the future of civic innovation. If you are a civic innovation nerd, you don’t want to miss this event!

When: October 1st - 2nd, 2024
Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC

More information about the event, including the agenda, speakers, and registration details can be found here.

Where in the World is Cityfi?

Check out where Cityfi will be in the upcoming weeks. We may be speaking at conferences, leading workshops, hosting events, and/or actively engaging in collaborative learning within the community. We would love to see you.

ITS World Congress - Dubai, UAE - September 16 - 20

SIS 24 Sustainable and Safe Urban Mobility for All: Reality or Illusion? - Tuesday, September 17th (11:00 AM - 12:30 PM)

According to the European Commission, globally, urban areas consume over 65% of the world's energy, accounting for more than 70% of CO2 emissions. It is therefore crucial that cities act as experimentation and innovation ecosystems to help all others in their transition to become climate-neutral by 2050. New urban mobility solutions and space interventions will contribute to this transition and help the citizens not only live but thrive within their cities. Therefore, the acceptance of novel mobility solutions and space interventions by the citizens themselves is an element of strong interest for all stakeholders involved in the related sectors. During this session, the present situation of urban mobility will be discussed and several suggestions will be presented on how to introduce safe, sustainable, and inclusive urban mobility in our lives.

Join Senior Principal Evan Costagliola as he speaks on this panel with experts across Europe. Register here!

MetroLab Summit 2024 - Washington, DC - October 1 - 2

The State of Libraries - Tuesday, October 2nd (11:45 AM - 12:30 PM)

Libraries are a pillar of our communities. And more than ever, libraries are fostering innovation and bringing digital access. This panel will explore the important role that libraries play to both our cities and to our academic institutions. Join Partner Story Bellows as she moderates this discussion about how libraries are evolving and how they continue to benefit our cities and communities. Register here!

Urbanism Next Europe Conference - Amsterdam, NL - October 9 - 11

CCAM For Society: How Can Cities Unlock The Potential Of Connected, Cooperative & Automated Mobility (CCAM)? - Thursday, October 10th (3:50 - 5:20 PM)

Come see Senior Principal Evan Costagliola speak on this panel, which is sure to be quite informative. Connected, Cooperative & Automated Mobility (CCAM) is emerging around the globe, but what benefits can it really bring to society in general and urban areas in particular? This session will bring US and EU experts together to share experiences and lessons learned from various international Connected & Automated Vehicle operations. After setting the scene with international findings and multi-stakeholder perspectives, discussions will focus on what role CCAM can have in urban areas taking into account societal perspectives such as safety, environmental impact, liveability and inclusion. Moreover, how can authorities and road operators safeguard societal standards while facilitating CCAM to unlock its potential? Register here before September 1 for the Early Bird discount.

Other Conferences/Events

Cityfiers will also be at the following conferences, so please let us know if you will be there!

ITS America Policy Summit - Washington, DC - September 11 - 12 - say hello to Partner Karina Ricks
ICMA Annual Conference - Pittsburgh, PA - September 21 - 25 - Partner Karina Ricks and Principal Erin Clark will be there
Next City Vanguard Conference - Lexington, KY - September 23 - 26 - Senior Associate Monique Ho will be representing Cityfi
CoMotion LA - Los Angeles, CA - November 13 - 14 - Our crew of Partner Karina Ricks, Principal Erin Clark, and Senior Associate Karla Peralta will be in attendance

What We’re Reading

Curated by Ryan Parzick

🎉Cityfi was mentioned in Mass Transit for our work with Louisville Metro Government in helping them create and implement a new Department of Transportation. You can read more about our work with Louisville in our July 26th newsletter article.

Articles handpicked by the Cityfi team we have found interesting: