March 6, 2020 Summit, Austin, TX

The built environment — the human-made physical spaces where we live, work, and recreate on a daily basis — profoundly shapes the human experience and includes housing, green spaces, transportation systems, educational institutions, healthy food access, and public health. Current and past laws, policies, and land-use planning have influenced the built environment and its relationship to housing, socioeconomic opportunities, and quality of life. How can we re-imagine equitable access to quality education, healthy environments, and improved transportation opportunities?

Co-hosts HousingWorks Austin and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas held its educational Summit with yet another opportunity for dialogue, discussion, and action.

Housing + Access: Rethinking The Built Environment brought together audiences interested in better understanding the challenges, opportunities, and future solutions around housing and the built environment. This one-day summit took place on Friday, March 6, 2020 at the Austin Hyatt Regency Hotel, Austin, TX. 

The keynote speaker Richard Rothstein  discussed his critically acclaimed book, The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, which analyzes how local, state, and federal government policies intentionally promoted and enforced residential racial segregation that endures in our social fabric and consequently impact our communities today. Throughout the day, we built on this work and identify solutions to persisting problems. Other confirmed speakers included Calvin Gladney, President and CEO of Smart Growth America,  Claudio Sanchez, Former Education Correspondent, NPR; Megan Gallagher, Senior Research Associate, The Urban Institute; Robin Hacke, Executive Director, Center for Community Investment; Michael Hole M.D., MBA Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics & Courtesy Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health, Dell Medical School;  Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and Austin Mayor Steve Adler.