Urban Edge Staff Meeting

09/13/2021

Agenda

Welcome and Meeting Goals

About MAPC and Project Process

Digital Access in Columbus Ave Corridor

Discussion-Breakout rooms

Please post questions and comments in the chat!

Next Steps

Meeting Goals

Understand Urban Edge programs and how they interface with technology

Identify Digital Equity and Access strategies for Urban Edge constituents

Discuss Community Engagement strategy

Introduce MAPC and Columbus Corridor Project

  • Housing

  • Transportation

  • Climate Resilience and Clean Energy

  • Economic Development

  • Land Use

  • Municipal Government

  • Policy

  • Digital Access

Metropolitan Area Planning Council

  • School / Education
  • Work
  • Healthcare
  • Workforce Training
  • Access to Social Assistance and Resources
  • Economic Development

Pandemic & Beyond

Everett, Chelsea,Revere

The Development of an Municipal Digital Access and Equity Plan will: ​

Advise Capital Investment​​

Inform Policy Decisions​​

Identify Program Needs

Phases of Work

  • Evaluation of Current Internet Providers and Levels of Service
  • Analysis of Community Access to Device and Internet

Phase 1A: Existing Conditions 

Phase 1B: Community Needs Assessment

  • Identification of Population Specific Challenges and Needs via Survey
  • Focus Group(s) and Key Stakeholder Interviews with Community Members

  • Review of Existing Infrastructure and Assets Along Columbus Ave

  • Assessment of Potential Technology Interventions and Programs

Phase 2: Infrastructure and Technology Evaluation

  • Development of an Operational Framework that Urban Edge  can use to Implement a Tech Solution, PLUS Programs for Skills Development and Community Ownership

Phase 3: Digital Operation Framework

In June the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a map that  displays key indicators of broadband needs across the country.

 

Columbus Ave Corridor stood out

NTIA Map

Source

According to this Census data 39% of “Columbus Ave Corridor” households do not have access to the internet.

Households Without Internet

Households Without a Computer

According to this Census data 27.1% of “Columbus Ave Corridor” households do not have a computer.

Devices

According to this Census data 15.5% of “Columbus Ave Corridor” households are soley reliant on a smartphone for internet access.

Households With Only a Smart Phone

Devices

Three Determining Factors of Digital Access

Devices

Connection

Adequate Device

Literacy

Fast​

Affordable​

Router​

Personal Computer /Laptop

Use of Technology​

Ensuring functioning equipment​

Evaluating quality of information and privacy risks​

Digital Justice Principles

Digital justice provides multiple layers of communications infrastructure in order to ensure that every member of the community has access to lifesaving emergency information.

Digital justice ensures that all members of our community have equal access to media and technology, as producers as well as consumers.

Digital justice values all different languages, dialects and forms of communication.

Source: Allied Media, Teaching Community Technology Handbook

Breakout Groups

Current state of Urban Edge technology use and

Digital Access in the community

Brainstorm ways to improve Digital Access and opportunity

Discuss Community Engagement strategy

Next Steps

Develop Outreach Strategy with Urban Edge Community Engagement Team

Facilitate meetings with Stakeholder Groups

Begin Community Needs Assessment

Community 

  • Pam Walker Dimock Bragdon resident and community leader 

  • Denise Thompson, Jackson Commons resident and community leader 

  • Carol Miranda, Tree of Life, Executive Director  

  • Marchelle Jacques-Yarde, Union Capital Boston (UCB), Director of Operations & Partnerships. 

  • Durrell Harris, Urban Edge, Associate Director of Community Engagement 

  • Alia Pacombe, Urban Edge, Director of Community Engagement 

Stakeholder Groups

Workforce Development

  • Salvatore Pina, Roxbury Community College (RCC), Director of Workforce Development 

  • Leslie Wood, Roxbury Community College 

  • Justin Petty Director, RCC Broadcast Media Technology 

  • Amy Nishman, Jewish Vocational Services (JVS), Senior Vice President of Strategy 

  • Tech Goes Home 

  • Timothy Smith 

  • Youth Services of Boston 

Affordable Housing

  • Anne Vinick,  The Community Builders, Director of Community Life New England 

  • Laura Martin The Community Builders (TCB) Project Manager 

  • Domenic Butler WinnCompanies, Divisional Vice President 

  • Dimmock Health Center  

  • Warren Williams, E.D,. Three Squares Main Streets 

  • Denise Delgado Egleston Square Main Streets, Executive Director 

  • Susan O’Connor BNN 

  • Glen Williams BNN

  • John Fitterer MA Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC), Dir. of Operations 

  • Library 

  • JPNDC

Neighborhood Allies

Stakeholder Groups

  • Mike Lynch City of Boston, Director of Broadband and Cable 

  • Lydia Argo Boston Housing Authority

  • Boston Public Schools

Municipal

Stakeholder Groups

Thank you!