Depth study two Flashcards
Define affordable housing
The New York City Housing Authority defines affordable housing as housing that costs roughly one-third or less of a household’s income and is regulated so that the rent cannot increase drastically over time.
Scope of housing challenge
As the population of New York City continues to grow, so does the demand for housing, making it increasingly unaffordable, particularly for more vulnerable residents.
Including the elderly, extremely low- to moderate-income households, some immigrants, and 17% in poverty.
Causes of housing challenge
Many factors cause this challenge, including income inequality and a mismatch in supply and demand.
Mismatch between the available housing and their affordability.
Gentrification in NYC
Causes of housing challenge - income inequality
Gentrification in New York City occurs when housing in older neighbourhoods, such as working-class neighbourhoods in East New York, is renovated by wealthier and mostly middle-income people.
Result of gentrification in NYC
Causes of housing challenge - income inequality
This results in increased property values and rental prices as landlords find new residents willing to pay more, which prices low-income people out of the area.
Super-gentrified and exclusionary neighbourhoods in NYC
Causes of housing challenge - income inequality
In 2016, The Urban Displacement Project found that there were 314 super-gentrified or exclusive neighbourhoods in the metropolitan region, creating a ring of very high-income communities around NYC.
HVS low-income renters
Causes of housing challenge - mismatch in supply and demand
The New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey (HVS) found that low-income renters struggle to find affordable apartments, with many spending over half of their income on rent.
HVS report on vacancy rate
Causes of housing challenge - mismatch in supply and demand
4.5% for all housing accommodations, skewed by high vacancy rates in expensive units. Units less than $1,500 a month (the median rent) below 1%, less than $900, 0.86%. Units over $2,300, 12.6%.
Impacts of housing challenge
There are significant social and economic impacts of the housing challenge in New York City, including rent-burdened households and homelessness.
Rent-burdened in 2021
Impacts of housing challenge
More than half of renters in the city were classified as rent-burdened, meaning they spent over 30% of their income towards rent, with one-third severely rent-burdened, spending more than half of their income.
What do rent-burdened and low-income residents do?
Impacts of housing challenge
Compromise on housing quality and location or overextend themselves to manage. Some residents are forced to live in areas with less access to services and infrastructure or leave the city completely, while others moving into the area are deterred.
Homelessness levels and economic impact
Impacts of housing challenge
Given this increasing burden of finding housing and paying rent, homelessness in New York City has reached the highest levels since the Great Depression, prompting the allocation of $2.4 billion to the Department of Homeless Services in 2022.
How many people in shelter system
Impacts of housing challenge
In August of that year, an average of 55,000 people were sleeping in the city’s main public shelter system each night, with thousands more in other shelter systems or public spaces.
Define transportation
Transportation is defined as the movement of people and goods from one place to another and the various means by which such movement is accomplished.
Transportation offered in NYC
New York City offers various modes of transportation, including rapid transit systems (rail), buses, taxis, private and for-hire vehicles, rideshare apps, ferries, and bicycles.
Scope of transportation challenge
The city’s transportation system is complex and extensive, covering the five boroughs, the tri-state area, and beyond. Each day, over 1 million people commute into the city, with approximately half of households relying on public transportation.
Causes of transportation challenge
A major cause of the transportation challenge is ageing infrastructure, which affects multiple forms of transportation and growth of housing on the periphery of the city.
NYC subway
Causes of transportation challenge - ageing infrastructure
Delivered 1.3 billion rides in 2021 compared to 150,000 the year it opened. Some sections over 100 years old, majority built before 1930, the system wasn’t designed to transport this many people.
Operational since 1904, has over 400 stations located throughout the boroughs (except Staten Island).
Disrupted service and delays on affected lines of NYC subway
Causes of transportation challenge - ageing infrastructure
Throughout most of its history, it has operated continuously, meaning there is no time for routine cleaning and maintenance.
Trains arriving on time in NYC subway
Causes of transportation challenge - ageing infrastructure
In 2021, only about 65% of weekday trains arrived on time.
Mainline signals in NYC subway
Causes of transportation challenge - ageing infrastructure
Of the subway system’s 728 miles of mainline signals, 269 have exceeded their 50-year life expectancy. They also slow the movement of trains and require maintenance workers to build replacement parts as manufacturers no longer make them.
As Manhattan’s housing becomes unaffordable?
Causes of transportation challenge - housing on periphery
Manhattan’s housing prices became increasingly unaffordable, many middle- to low-income residents had to move further away from the city where housing development had increased
Car dependency in areas further from the city
Causes of transportation challenge - housing on periphery
As these areas are further away from the city and have less access to public transport, there is a higher dependency on cars.
NYC DOT car ownership in outer boroughs
Causes of transportation challenge - housing on periphery
In 2019, the New York City Department of Transportation reported that car ownership in the outer boroughs increased by nearly 11% over the past decade, which coincides with the significant housing development in these areas.
Impacts of transportation challenge
There are significant social and economic impacts of the transportation challenge in New York City, including traffic congestion and the resulting accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists, as well as increasing expenses and associated costs.
Motor vehicle accidents in 2021
Impacts of transportation challenge
In 2021, there were over 220,000 motor vehicle accidents in the city. In the same year, there were almost twice as many pedestrian accidents in December as in July, likely due to the heightened traffic during the holiday season.
Economic impact on people commuting regularly
Impacts of transportation challenge
For people commuting regularly into the city, sitting in traffic leads to higher running costs, placing financial pressure on individuals and families, especially as fuel prices continue to rise.
Fuel price in 2022
Impacts of transportation challenge
During 2022, the average cost of fuel in New York City was $1.95 per litre, compared to Australia at $1.62 per litre.
Environmental impacts of transportation challenge
Impacts of transportation challenge
Slow-moving traffic and idling cars contributed to air pollution example
Slow-moving traffic and idling cars have contributed to a 9% increase in traffic-related air pollution from 1990 to 2019, even when adjusted for population growth.
Define sustainability
Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of current and future generations through simultaneous environmental, social, and economic adaptation and improvement.
Strategy that aims to address this challenge of transportation
NYC Department of Transportation’s Carshare Program
NYC DOT Carshare Program aim
Reduce the number of private cars on the road and provide cost-effective shared mobility options across the city.
What is car sharing?
Car sharing allows people to rent vehicles for short periods, from a few minutes to multiple days, with fuel costs and insurance included in the price.
No responsibility of private car ownership - car sharing
Therefore, individuals have access to a range of cars without the costs and responsibilities of private car ownership, helping to reduce congestion, traffic, and their impacts in New York City.
Socially, car share program
Social evaluation of NYC DOT Carshare Program
Socially, the program has provided improved and accessible transportation for many in New York City, particularly in areas lacking access to other forms of transport, known as transit deserts.
Car sharing on transit deserts
Social evaluation of NYC DOT Carshare Program
These areas, predominantly low-income neighbourhoods and communities of colour, now have a more accessible, affordable, sustainable, and greener travel option.
Car sharing on connectedness to the city
Social evaluation of NYC DOT Carshare Program
The DOT has ensured equitable distribution of carshare services in these underserved areas across all boroughs, which helps to increase their connectedness to the rest of the city.
Socially, people selling their cars example
Social evaluation of NYC DOT Carshare Program
Since the program began, 7% of participants have opted to sell their cars or delayed purchasing one due to the availability of car sharing options.
Drawback of socially
Social evaluation of NYC DOT Carshare Program
However, despite these benefits, approximately 45% of those living in New York still prefer private car ownership due to convenience, privacy, and safety.
Economically, car share
Economic evaluation of NYC DOT Carshare Program
Economically, the program has significantly reduced transportation-related costs, making it a financially sustainable option for individuals and families.
What has the availability of car sharing reduced economically?
Economic evaluation of NYC DOT Carshare Program
The availability of car sharing has reduced costs associated with car ownership such as registration, insurance, maintenance, and fuel.
2019 study by International Transport Forum
Economic evaluation of NYC DOT Carshare Program
A 2019 study by the International Transport Forum found that car sharing can reduce household transportation costs by up to 50% when compared to owning a car.
Economically, municipalities
Economic evaluation of NYC DOT Carshare Program
Municipalities also save on road maintenance and parking infrastructure as less traffic and congestion is contributing to wear on roads.
Economic opportunities car sharing
Economic evaluation of NYC DOT Carshare Program
Car sharing creates new income opportunities for vehicle owners through platforms like Turo and HyreCar, allowing them to rent out their vehicles.
Economic concerns about car sharing
Economic evaluation of NYC DOT Carshare Program
However, there are concerns that a reduction in private vehicle numbers could lead to decreased revenue and potentially impact the city’s budget for maintaining and improving transportation infrastructure
Environmentally, car share
Environmentally, the program has effectively reduced the number of private vehicles in New York City, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
What did NYC DOT report about neighbourhoods with carsharing
The NYC DOT reported that in neighbourhoods with carshare services, there was a 7% reduction in vehicle miles travelled per capita, which contributed to a decrease in local traffic congestion and emissions.
How do fewer cars on the road positively impact environment
Fewer cars on the road have also positively impacted local environments by minimising the risk of land and soil pollution from leaked fluids from vehicles.
How could environmental benefits be counteracted
If many people begin to substitute other forms of public transport for car sharing for convenience. Lead to more vehicles being provided and therefore increased emissions
It should be ensured that car sharing complements, rather than replaces, public transportation.
