Friday, March 29

Michelle Wu, mayor of Boston: “Free public transport works”


Nine months ago, Boston voters elected a mayor who made history. Michelle Wu, the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, became the first woman, first racial minority, first mother, and first millennial to be elected to lead the city of Boston.

The 1977 memorandum that warned Jimmy Carter of the climate crisis and was ignored

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Now, Wu has made headlines for another reason: his advocacy of free public transportation as part of a larger plan focused on affordability and fighting carbon emissions. In March, the city abolished the $1.70 fare on three bus lines serving low-income areas with majority minority populations.

Before the budget concerns, the city will use a COVID-19 response fund to compensate for the eight million dollars (7.65 million euros) of lost revenue. The number of users of the first free bus line has skyrocketed 48%going from 47,000 to 70,000 weekly passengers.

Since entering municipal politics as a councilor in 2013, Wu has stood out as a person who focuses on the details of public policy. The Harvard Law graduate was at the forefront of measures such as six weeks of paid paternity leave for city employees, a ban on plastic bags and a restriction on short-term rentals, which converted on the Airbnb target.

Wu’s personal experiences have made her aware of the shortcomings of municipal services. At 22, she put her consulting job in Boston on hold and moved to Illinois to care for her mother, diagnosed with schizophrenia, and her two little sisters. Fresh out of college, she became the head of the family. She moved her loved ones to Boston and enrolled her sister in the public school system.

During an interview at the Boston City Hall, Wu, 37, unfolds his vision of the city focused on the fight against the climate crisis.

What pushed you to defend free public transport?

I take very seriously the responsibility of being the first mother chosen for this position, which has also allowed me to see first-hand the extent to which transport can be a barrier, whether it is due to costs, reliability or accessibility of services. .

For several years, before my children were old enough to start school, they both came with me to the City Hall nursery. We would get on the bus, and after the bus on the orange subway line, with a big double stroller with two babies inside. And all the decisions I had to make—between waiting for the bus and not knowing when it might arrive, and then having it be too crowded, or taking the commuter train, which was much more reliable but three times more expensive—influenced my decision. way in which I make decisions about public services today.



What is the long term goal?

Our plan is to continue to demonstrate that this works and that it is an investment that pays off quickly. I have spoken with many families who have told me that not having to worry about having enough change in their pocket to get to class that day has changed their lives, as well as knowing that it is a service that is truly available to everyone.

Therefore, we have chosen three routes that serve minority communities in our lowest-income neighborhoods, but also connect to planned or completed infrastructure improvements. To show that we can offer a faster and really affordable service for everyone.

What leads her to govern the city focusing on the climate emergency?

My eldest son, Blaise, was born during my first year as a councilwoman and there were all sorts of headlines about how it was the hottest year on record. It was quite a burden to think about what that meant as he brought new life into the world.

So when I think about what this time we have left means to give our children and their children the opportunity to inherit a city and a world that they deserve, it all comes down to the small details. Because what we know in the city government is that great things can be done if small things are done well.



Planning for extreme cold in northern cities like Boston is a given, and Boston has a heating standard: buildings are required to be heated in the winter. But, as the climate is getting hotter, is the possibility of also imposing a refrigeration standard being considered?

Of Boston’s approximately 120 school buildings, the vast majority are pre-World War II structures. Barely thirty of them have modern heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, so temperature control, not only in winter, but also as the city warms up and the school year comes forward, has meant a tremendous challenge.

We are seeing that the traditional ways in which city government used to provide relief in times of heat waves have to change. Before, during a heat emergency, we focused a lot on open cooling centers at community centers or basketball halls and having air conditioning there. We saw that people did not go to those places and I am sure that the pandemic had something to do with it.

But even before that, the numbers were declining. We are watching the temperatures very carefully and are in constant communication with our community leaders to understand what the needs are, to provide immediate help but also to incorporate it into the structural changes that the city is going through.

Some neighborhoods—such as Chinatown, Dorchester, East Boston, Mattapan and Roxbury—are affected more than others by issues like extreme heat.

Yes, the temperature difference between some of our wealthiest neighborhoods and some of our least tree-lined neighborhoods has been documented. The tree canopy is really important in creating livable neighborhoods. There is a generational environmental racism regarding which areas had direct access to transportation and which were bypassed, and the effects continue to be felt.

We often talk about the Green New Deal, but the Blue New Deal, which aims to promote ocean prosperity, has not had the same level of publicity. It’s part of your climate agenda, what does it mean for Boston?

We’re a coastal city and a lot of it is talked about in a negative way these days: that we have to worry about flooding, or that sea level rise is a threat and we have to find ways to get away from the ocean.

But what a treasure and what a source of resources it is for us to have a direct connection to the possible jobs there. We are seeing Boston and Massachusetts move toward wind power and regenerative ocean agriculture. Massachusetts has a history to be proud of and a vibrant and sustained fishing industry, which is why there are many cities along our shores that feel much more connected to the ocean, water and shoreline. Much can be accomplished by taking advantage of the benefits of being a coastal city rather than just trying to mitigate the damage.

Where will all these changes take Boston in the future?

It is my hope and belief that Boston will be the greenest city in America, a city for everyone.

What does it mean to you to be the first non-white female mayor of Boston?

I spend some time in our schools each week. It’s something I do regardless of what happens in the city: we revisit at least one, or several, schools. [Cuando tenía la edad de los estudiantes] I didn’t even think I could hold this position, let alone aspire to it, so I hope that me playing this role opens up the possibilities for anything they dream of being.

Will you be able to rest this summer?

What do you mean by “rest”?

Translation of Julian Cnochaert.





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