Congress recently passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, which has tremendous promise for improving roads and bridges ($110 billion allocation) and reconnecting communities divided by transportation infrastructure ($1 billion). Although these allocations are smaller than those in the proposed budget, state and local policymakers still have opportunities to creatively distribute the funding to improve neighborhoods and cities. When done thoughtfully, these infrastructure investments can activate space in ways that draw in and welcome community members and foster a sense of belonging and excitement.
Historically, access to public space across the US has been inequitable. Structural drivers, including redlining, racial segregation, discriminatory planning, and divestment in communities of color and immigrant communities, have created sharp divides in neighborhoods. Streets and roadways have cut off communities from services and opportunities.