About the Transportation and Land Use Coalition



TALC is a partnership of over 90 groups working for a sustainable and socially just Bay Area. We envision a region with healthy, vibrant, walkable communities that provide all residents with transportation choices and affordable housing. TALC analyzes county and regional policies, works with community groups to develop alternatives, and coordinates grassroots campaigns.



The Bay Area possesses outstanding natural beauty, a dynamic economy, and multicultural diversity. However, poorly planned, sprawling development in the Bay Area poses a threat to the very things that make our region so unique. The Members and Affiliates of the Transportation and Land Use Coalition believe that current development patterns and projections for the future do not have to be our destiny. The Bay Area can preserve our environment and quality of life and ensure that all residents have access to economic opportunities by: refocusing public investment to serve and revitalize existing developed areas; designing livable communities with housing near jobs, recreation, transit and services; providing real transportation choices; reforming pricing incentives which promote unsustainable development; and addressing important equity concerns. Members and Affiliates of TALC are working to promote these principles (outlined in our Platform) through a broad range of activities: policy analysis and recommendations, public education, research, grassroots action and more. We are campaigning together for smart growth, affordable housing, a better regional transportation plan, transportation justice, and bicycle and pedestrian access. Since 1997 we have won important campaigns and achieved recognition throughout California and the nation, grown to include over 90 organizations, and built an unprecedented level of trust among environmental, community and social justice advocates. TALC possesses a unique combination of strengths...

region

WE SPAN THE ENTIRE BAY AREA

With a network of 87 member organizations and thousands of individual supporters, including elected officials, the Coalition provides a unified and powerful voice for residents of the nine-county Bay Area. In addition to regional activities, the Coalition has active chapters in the East Bay and Silicon Valley, and an eye on state legislation affecting the Bay region.
The Coalition’s leadership team includes some of the region’s top advocates for transportation, land use and social justice, each representing a Coalition member organization.

diversity

WE REPRESENT DIVERSE CONSTITUENCIES

Transportation and land use decisions are of concern to transit users, environmentalists, the disabled, bicycle and pedestrian advocates, low-income families, labor unions, the elderly, children and youth, and the working poor.
The Coalition has been noted for our unprecedented success at bringing together environmental and social justice groups around common policy goals, and for giving voice to groups previously under-represented in transportation and land use decisions.

action

WE COMBINE POLICY AND PARTICIPATION

Our effectiveness draws equally on high-quality policy analysis and grassroots participation. Timely reports, fact sheets and well-crafted policy recommendations, combined with a strong grassroots presence, have led to substantial early victories and a strong public presence for the Coalition.
In all of our work, we address the links between transportation, land use and social justice. By bringing together experts and advocates in a range of related fields, the Coalition has emerged as a key player in regional politics and planning.

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results

The Coalition continues to be remarkably successful. A few highlights:

We won $375 million in the 1998 Regional Transportation Plan for transit instead of highway expansion.

In 1999 we convinced regional agencies to initiate a regional Smart Growth effort and we are now helping to guide its implementation

We received broad acclaim and extensive media coverage for our 120-page World Class Transit for the Bay Area report.

We secured an additional $186 million for transit alternatives and a record-breaking 81% yes vote for Alameda County’s transportation sales tax measure.

Our Smart Growth Aerial Campaign, a collaboration with Lighthawk pilots focusing on sprawl and congestion, received national airplay on PBS.

Due to tremendous public response to Coalition outreach and analysis, MTC included many elements of our Platform in the 2001 Regional Transportation Plan.

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noticed

. California Association of Nonprofits 2002 Public Policy Excellence Award for efforts to stop sprawl, improve transportation, increase urban housing density, and restore the Bay Area's quality of life.
. American Lung Association 2002 Clean Air Award for education and public awareness.
. MTC Award of Merit for success involving and "giving voice to" low-income communities in transportation issues.

Update: 03/01/2007