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Transportation Equity
Project
Archdiocese
of Detroit
Detroit, MI
With technical assistance from the Metropolitan
Area Research Corporation, the Archdiocese of
Detroit has developed a strategy for engaging
Catholics in a statewide education and action
initiative about the problems created by the absence
of mass transit. They have worked together to
release a report, "Michigan
Metropatterns" (PDF), that provides the background
information on social and environmental impacts
of sprawl in Michigan. The report offers policy
solutions to guide advocacy efforts of the Michigan
Catholic Conference, which has desired to develop
a unified platform for policy reform at state
and local levels.
In addition to releasing the report, the Archdiocese
of Detroit has developed and begun using a toolkit
for educating and engaging citizens across the
state. Furthermore, the Transportation Equity
project also assists in preparing testimony and
training leaders to attend public hearings around
the state as an important vehicle for action.
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As the movement has grown, it has expanded to
include additional academic and advocacy groups,
weaving the network between Catholic leaders and
policy experts to insure that the most current
information is available as Catholics become engaged
in the public debate on issues related to social
justice and metropolitan equity. The legislative
network continues to grow, and Catholics have
met with numerous members of the state legislature
who represent southeastern Michigan.
Though the effort has faced obstacles (such as
the outgoing Governor’s veto of a transportation
bill) signs of success continue to show. The mayor
of Detroit now talks about regional equity and
the need for a top-rate regional public transit
system. Further success can be seen in the establishment
of a task force on land use and equity by Governor
Jennifer Granholm soon after her election. Many
of the members of the Land Use Leadership
Council are key project allies, and have
some leverage in influencing the recommendations
of the Council.
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