Harvard Case - Confronting the Unequal Toll of Highway Expansion: Oni Blair, LINK Houston, & the Texas I-45 Debate (A)
"Confronting the Unequal Toll of Highway Expansion: Oni Blair, LINK Houston, & the Texas I-45 Debate (A)" Harvard business case study is written by Eric Rosenbach, Pamela Varley. It deals with the challenges in the field of General Management. The case study is 11 page(s) long and it was first published on : Apr 5, 2023
At Fern Fort University, we recommend that LINK Houston adopt a multifaceted approach to address the concerns surrounding the I-45 expansion project. This strategy should prioritize community engagement, data-driven analysis, and advocacy for equitable development, while also considering the broader context of transportation infrastructure and its impact on social equity in Houston.
2. Background
This case study focuses on the I-45 expansion project in Houston, Texas, and the concerns raised by LINK Houston, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting equitable and sustainable transportation solutions. The project, proposed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), aims to widen the freeway, but critics argue it will disproportionately harm low-income communities and communities of color, exacerbating existing inequalities.
The main protagonists are Oni Blair, the Executive Director of LINK Houston, and the organization itself, representing the voice of concerned citizens and advocating for a more equitable approach to transportation infrastructure development.
3. Analysis of the Case Study
Using a Stakeholder Analysis Framework:
- Stakeholders: This case involves a wide range of stakeholders with varying interests and perspectives. These include:
- TxDOT: Focused on improving traffic flow and safety through infrastructure expansion.
- LINK Houston: Advocating for equitable development and minimizing negative impacts on vulnerable communities.
- Residents: Directly impacted by the project, with concerns about displacement, environmental degradation, and increased traffic.
- Businesses: Potentially benefiting from improved infrastructure but also concerned about potential disruptions.
- Local Government: Balancing economic development with social equity and environmental concerns.
- Environmental Groups: Focused on minimizing the project's environmental impact.
- Interests: Each stakeholder group has distinct interests:
- TxDOT: Efficient transportation, safety, and economic growth.
- LINK Houston: Equitable development, community well-being, and environmental sustainability.
- Residents: Affordable housing, access to services, environmental quality, and community cohesion.
- Businesses: Profitability, access to markets, and a stable business environment.
- Local Government: Economic growth, job creation, and public safety.
- Environmental Groups: Protection of natural resources, biodiversity, and air quality.
- Power: Stakeholders have varying levels of power to influence the project:
- TxDOT: Significant power due to its role in planning and executing the project.
- LINK Houston: Limited formal power but significant influence through public advocacy and community mobilization.
- Residents: Collectively hold significant power through their votes and participation in public hearings.
- Businesses: Influence through lobbying and economic contributions.
- Local Government: Significant power in approving or rejecting the project.
- Environmental Groups: Influence through legal challenges and public awareness campaigns.
Analyzing the Project's Potential Impacts:
- Social Equity: The project's potential to displace residents, particularly low-income families and communities of color, raises serious concerns about social equity.
- Environmental Sustainability: The project's impact on air quality, noise pollution, and habitat fragmentation needs careful consideration.
- Economic Development: While the project could boost economic growth, it's crucial to ensure that benefits are shared equitably and do not exacerbate existing disparities.
Using a SWOT Analysis:
- Strengths:
- LINK Houston's expertise: LINK Houston possesses deep knowledge of transportation planning and its social impacts.
- Community support: LINK Houston enjoys strong support from local residents and advocacy groups.
- Data-driven approach: LINK Houston utilizes data and research to support its arguments.
- Weaknesses:
- Limited resources: LINK Houston is a non-profit with limited financial resources.
- Lack of formal power: LINK Houston lacks the authority to directly influence TxDOT's decisions.
- Limited political influence: LINK Houston may face challenges in influencing policy decisions.
- Opportunities:
- Growing public awareness: Increased public awareness of transportation equity issues creates opportunities for advocacy.
- Collaboration with other organizations: LINK Houston can leverage partnerships with other advocacy groups to amplify its impact.
- Emerging technologies: LINK Houston can explore innovative solutions using technology to address transportation challenges.
- Threats:
- TxDOT's commitment to the project: TxDOT may be resistant to changes in the project's scope.
- Political pressure: Political pressure from developers and business interests could undermine efforts to prioritize equity.
- Limited public engagement: Low public engagement could weaken LINK Houston's ability to mobilize support.
4. Recommendations
Prioritize Community Engagement: LINK Houston should actively engage with affected communities, building trust and understanding their concerns. This can be achieved through:
- Community meetings and workshops: Provide platforms for residents to voice their concerns and share their perspectives.
- Data collection and analysis: Conduct surveys and focus groups to understand the specific impacts of the project on different communities.
- Building coalitions: Partner with local organizations and community leaders to amplify community voices.
Advocate for Equitable Development: LINK Houston should advocate for a project that prioritizes social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunity for all communities. This can be achieved through:
- Public advocacy campaigns: Raise awareness about the project's potential negative impacts and advocate for alternative solutions.
- Legal challenges: Explore legal options to challenge the project's environmental impact or its potential to violate civil rights.
- Lobbying efforts: Engage with policymakers and elected officials to advocate for equitable development policies.
Promote Data-Driven Decision Making: LINK Houston should leverage data and research to support its arguments and demonstrate the project's potential negative impacts. This can be achieved through:
- Conducting independent studies: Commission research to assess the project's social, environmental, and economic impacts.
- Analyzing existing data: Utilize existing data sources to identify potential disparities and inequities.
- Developing alternative scenarios: Model alternative transportation solutions that prioritize equity and sustainability.
Collaborate with Stakeholders: LINK Houston should actively seek partnerships with other organizations, including:
- Environmental groups: Collaborate to address the project's environmental impacts.
- Community development organizations: Work together to address the potential for displacement and housing insecurity.
- Business groups: Engage with businesses to explore ways to mitigate negative impacts and create shared benefits.
Embrace Innovation: LINK Houston should explore innovative solutions that address transportation challenges while promoting equity and sustainability. This can be achieved through:
- Exploring alternative transportation modes: Advocate for investments in public transit, bike lanes, and pedestrian infrastructure.
- Utilizing technology: Explore the use of technology to improve transportation access and reduce reliance on cars.
- Promoting green infrastructure: Advocate for projects that incorporate green spaces and reduce environmental impacts.
5. Basis of Recommendations
These recommendations are based on the following considerations:
- Core competencies and consistency with mission: LINK Houston's mission aligns with the need for equitable and sustainable transportation solutions. The recommendations leverage the organization's expertise in transportation planning and community engagement.
- External customers and internal clients: The recommendations address the concerns of residents, community organizations, and other stakeholders who are directly impacted by the project.
- Competitors: While there are other advocacy groups, LINK Houston's focus on transportation equity and its data-driven approach give it a unique position.
- Attractiveness ' quantitative measures if applicable (e.g., NPV, ROI, break-even, payback): While quantifying the benefits of social equity is challenging, the recommendations aim to minimize the negative impacts of the project, which can be measured in terms of reduced displacement, improved air quality, and increased access to services.
- Assumptions: The recommendations assume that community engagement is crucial for achieving equitable development, that data can be used to inform decision-making, and that collaboration with other stakeholders is essential for achieving broader impact.
6. Conclusion
The I-45 expansion project presents a critical opportunity for Houston to address its transportation challenges while promoting equity and sustainability. LINK Houston's role is crucial in ensuring that the project's benefits are shared equitably and that its negative impacts are minimized. By prioritizing community engagement, advocating for equitable development, and embracing innovation, LINK Houston can contribute to a more just and sustainable future for Houston.
7. Discussion
Alternative Options:
- Accepting the project as is: This option would prioritize TxDOT's goals of improving traffic flow and safety, but it would likely exacerbate existing inequalities and environmental problems.
- Opposing the project entirely: While this option would prevent the project's negative impacts, it could also hinder efforts to improve transportation infrastructure in Houston.
Risks and Key Assumptions:
- Limited resources: LINK Houston's success depends on its ability to secure funding and resources to support its initiatives.
- Political resistance: The project may face strong political support, making it difficult to influence decision-making.
- Community apathy: Low community engagement could weaken LINK Houston's ability to mobilize support.
8. Next Steps
- Immediate Action: LINK Houston should immediately convene community meetings and workshops to gather input and build support.
- Data Collection: LINK Houston should begin collecting data to assess the project's potential impacts on different communities.
- Advocacy Campaign: LINK Houston should launch a public advocacy campaign to raise awareness and build support for equitable development.
- Collaboration: LINK Houston should actively seek partnerships with other organizations to amplify its impact.
- Long-Term Strategy: LINK Houston should develop a long-term strategy for advocating for equitable transportation solutions in Houston.
This case study highlights the importance of considering social equity and environmental sustainability in transportation infrastructure development. By embracing a multifaceted approach, LINK Houston can play a vital role in shaping a more just and sustainable future for Houston.
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Case Description
In this political strategy case, Oni K. Blair, newly appointed executive director of a Houston nonprofit advocating for more equitable transportation resources, faces a challenge: how to persuade a Texas state agency to substantially redesign a highway expansion project, already decades in the planning, in and around Houston? When Blair was appointed head of LINK Houston, in August 2017, the project-to expand, modernize, and re-route a 25-mile stretch of Houston's north-south highway, I-45, from the downtown center to the outer beltway north of town-was entering its final planning stage. Supported by powerful state leaders and stakeholders, the project was intended to address I-45's safety and capacity problems, but critics questioned the plan on several grounds, especially given its adverse impacts on Black and Latinx neighborhoods-communities that had also borne the brunt of Houston's highway construction in the past, a common pattern in American cities in the mid to late 20th century. This case, centering the perspective of Blair, was written in two parts. In the A case, students learn about the design of the project, the benefits claimed by its proponents, the dangers flagged by its critics, the history of highway development in Texas, and the perspectives of residents in the Black and Latinx neighborhoods that would be most adversely affected. It ends with Blair's realization that TxDOT's public participation process will never lead to a serious reconsideration of the project's design and poses the question, what should she do now? The B case picks up as Blair and her colleagues assess the political landscape. Who are the real decision-makers? And who might be in a position to influence them? It traces their battle within Texas to persuade the state to re-imagine the project-a battle that will eventually include a lawsuit, federal intervention, and a controversial political deal. HKS Case 2252.0
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