The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated a historic $1.2 trillion in federal funding for projects ranging from transportation and energy to water and broadband. In accordance with the Biden administration's executive orders on advancing racial equity and tackling the climate crisis, federal agencies are requiring applicants to provide more evidence on how proposed projects will affect "disadvantaged" communities, including communities with low incomes and communities of color. Yet localities often face numerous challenges in accessing and using the data necessary to quantify the equity impacts of potential projects.

Join the Urban Institute for a discussion of our findings on the obstacles local agencies encounter when applying for federal funding for transportation projects, strategies for using data to center racial equity in project decisions, and best practices for putting together data-driven funding proposals.

SPEAKERS

• Judah Axelrod, Senior Data Scientist, Office of Race and Equity Research, Urban Institute
• Samantha Fu, Policy Associate, Research to Action Lab, Urban Institute
• Vineet Gupta, Director, Policy and Planning, Boston Transportation Department
• Kirsten Mote, AVP and Director of Smart Mobility Planning, Modern Mobility Partners
• Karolina Ramos, Policy Associate, Research to Action Lab, Urban Institute
• Maria Schaper, Associate Director, Transportation Planning, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

Funding and research for this event was provided by grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Kresge Foundation. For more on Urban’s funding policies, go to urban.org/fundingprinciples.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. Please email [email protected] if you require any accommodations or have any questions about this event.