PI: Burcu Akinci
Co-PI(s): Corey Harper, Christine Mondor
University: Carnegie Mellon University
Industry partner: evolveEA
Investment in infrastructure has a multiplier effect in an economy and results in economic growth. At the same time, infrastructure systems have significant long-lasting social impacts, especially for communities surrounding it, which either improves the quality of life of the citizens in surrounding communities or creates barriers and accentuates inequalities and biases amongst different demographics. Hence, it is important to have an approach that would incorporate both economic and social benefits into investment decisions. In this research, we propose to develop foundational work towards the development of a platform to evaluate and prioritize mobility and building infrastructure investments to support equitable community development. Specifically, we will:
- develop equitable community development metrics to help communities of different socioeconomic backgrounds better prioritize their needs;
- perform case and ethnographic studies to understand how specific investment decisions have improved the prosperity and quality of life and reduced inequalities amongst different demographics;
- and develop an “equitable infrastructure investments” dashboard.
Developing such a tool is important and timely as the country and state prepares to invest heavily in the nation's infrastructure and, in particular, in communities that have been left behind. We will be teaming up with evolveEA, which is leading community-based developments targeting equity and sustainability.