The National Journal Transportation Experts Blog moderator Lisa Caruso asked this week, "Is Obama Spending the High-Speed Rail Money Wisely? Read America 2050 Director Petra Todorovich's response here, along with other responses from a panel of transportation policy analysts and professionals.
Petra Todorovich
Petra Todorovich is Director of America 2050,
a national urban planning initiative to develop an infrastructure and
growth strategy for the United States. Since its launch in 2005,
America 2050 has convened some of the brightest thinkers in the fields
of transportation, land use planning, social equity, and urban
development to create a compelling vision for America's future growth.
That vision includes an ambitious agenda for infrastructure investments
in sustainable transportation, the energy grid, and 'green' water
infrastructure to shape quality communities, create jobs, and make
America more competitive and livable in the 21st century. As director of America 2050, Ms. Todorovich regularly convenes and facilitates America 2050 workshops and seminars with partners such as the Rockefeller Foundation, the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, and the National Association of Regional Councils. She has written articles on transportation and infrastructure policy and is a frequent speaker on the topics of transportation policy, megaregions, and national planning.
Prior to the launch of America 2050, Ms. Todorovich directed Regional Plan Association's Region's Core program and coordinated the Civic Alliance to Rebuild Downtown New York, a network of organizations that came together shortly after 9/11 to promote the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site and Lower Manhattan. She planned numerous public forums and workshops of the Civic Alliance, including the 2002 "Listening to the City" meetings at the Javits Center that brought over 4,500 people together to consider plans for the World Trade Center site. She authored the 2004 Civic Assessment of the Lower Manhattan Planning Process and other pieces of analysis on the rebuilding process and New York City development.
Ms. Todorovich received a B.A. from Vassar College and a Master in City and Regional Planning from the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Recent Commentary
America 2050 hailed this week's high-speed rail announcement as the first step toward a sustained federal commitment to build a national high-speed rail network. But the skeptics at Fox Business had another take. Watch the clip.
Throughout history, our nation's leaders have made ambitious investments in America's infrastructure. The Eerie Canal, the Transcontinental Railroad, the Interstate Highway System are examples of ambitious, far-reaching visions that transformed America and fueled economic growth. These plans were implemented by the government and the private sector working together. Without them, our country would not have enjoyed the unrivaled prosperity, mobility, and opportunity that made us the envy of the world.
Continue reading It's time for a plan. .
America 2050 Director Petra Todorovich discusses how the New York region may fare in a jobs bill being considered by President Obama and Congress and the importance of fully funding the New York MTA's five-year capital plan.
America 2050 Director, Petra Todorovich discusses using stimulus dollars for high-speed rail with Stuart Varney on Fox Business News.
Read America 2050's recent report, Where High-Speed Rail Works Best and recent testimony on high-speed rail to the House of Representatives here.
A new article appearing in the September issue of The Urbanist by Petra Todorovich addresses the role of megaregions in a national infrastructure plan and stresses the importance of regional cooperation around issues such as high-speed rail, large scale water infrastructure, and reviving regional economies. The article argues that a national infrastructure strategy that emanates solely from Washington would be deeply unpopular. However, one that is built on collaboration between states and regions and identifies the needed investments for a more productive economy, healthy environment and inclusive society, is critical to address the country's current and future infrastructure needs. The article cites precedents, both historic and current, of megaregion-scale cooperation to address shared challenges and discusses how this national infrastructure strategy could take shape at the federal level. Click here to read the full article.
This week President Obama announced his Administration's plans for the most significant investment in intercity and high-speed rail in a generation. With the $8 billion down payment made in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and an additional $5 billion in his proposed budget, Obama has signaled the start of a new era of commitment to intercity passenger rail after decades of disinvestment and lack of federal support.
But as the President noted, these investments are just the beginning of building a smart transportation system equal to the needs of the 21st century. Infrastructure investment should, and can, play a central role in repairing America's economy and positioning the country for long-term, sustainable economic growth. But to do so requires investments on the scale of the nation's Interstate Highway System, which shaped America's landscape in the post-war era as the nation added 130 million residents from the years 1950-2000. This time around, as we project the growth of 140 million additional people by 2050, the investments should go far beyond building roads.
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Continue reading Why we Need a Trans-American Network.
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