Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities

Transportation is a vital part of urban life, but its history in the United States is often one of division. In her book, Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities, transportation expert Veronica O. Davis argues that the transportation systems we have today were never designed to be equitable. We discusses her call for a new era of transportation planning that centers people, not cars, and actively works to heal communities that have been harmed by past projects.

Listen Now

Davis highlights how past transportation policies and projects, such as the construction of highways, have often physically and socially divided communities, particularly low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. These projects have resulted in a lack of access to jobs, education, and other opportunities. The book is a call for a paradigm shift, urging transportation professionals to move beyond the status quo and address these historical injustices.

Davis's manifesto is not just a critique; it's a practical guide for creating a more just and equitable transportation system. She emphasizes that achieving true equity requires a fundamental shift in how transportation planners and engineers are trained, how they communicate with the public, and the data they collect. She argues for a participatory planning process that actively involves a diverse range of residents, especially those most affected by transportation projects.

The book offers a vision for a future where transportation networks connect people to opportunities and to each other, rather than isolating them. Davis provides concrete advice and examples, from her own professional experiences, on how to approach community engagement and address power imbalances in the planning process. Her work is a reminder that transportation is personal, and that building a better future requires boldness, courage, and empathy.