Policy options to mitigate the impacts of green gentrification when constructing new bike paths in the Madison area

Abstract

To address changing climate patterns, cities in the US are expanding sustainable transportation options and implementing green infrastructure. Sustainable infrastructure projects help communities adapt, decrease CO2 emissions, promote community health, and provide economic benefits. These projects can also have unintended consequences, increasing gentrification and displacement of vulnerable communities through increased property values (i.e., green gentrification). The City of Madison maintains an extensive system of bike trails and continues to expand community access, with three projects recently completed or in development. We recommend that the City of Madison alter policy to use tax-increment financing or community land trusts as a preventative measure to mitigate green gentrification of nearby areas for all current and future bike path construction projects.