We’re welcoming the latest group of mayors working to make streets safer for everyone, exploring what makes a truly walkable city, and reflecting on how child care investments can support working women and local economies.
Last month, the Mayors Innovation Project announced their third cohort of the Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety (MIPS)!
In partnership with AARP Livable Communities and Smart Growth America, MIPS is designed to equip local leaders with the tools and best practices to make meaningful safety improvements on dangerous roadways and create long-term, systemic change. Over the next six months, these 12 dedicated mayors will engage in expert-led workshops, peer exchanges, and coaching to address urgent pedestrian safety challenges in their communities.
New research from Japan finds that proximity to amenities alone does not significantly reduce car use. Without supportive density and safe, appealing infrastructure, most residents still drive—even in walkable “15-minute neighborhoods." The study also highlights that lower-income residents are more likely to walk, underscoring the importance of equitable access in urban design.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day this May, it’s a timely moment to reflect on the challenges facing working women in Wisconsin. Our latest 2024 State of Working Wisconsin
report highlights persistent gender and racial wage disparities and the critical role affordable, high-quality child care plays in women’s economic security.
Despite steady workforce participation rates, Wisconsin women still face a significant pay gap, with disparities even greater for women of color. The report underscores how sustained public investment in child care and raising the minimum wage can help close these gaps and strengthen the state’s economy.
Based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the High Road Strategy Center is a national think-and-do tank that promotes “high road” solutions to social problems. Learn more here, or click below to learn about our projects housed at the High Road Strategy Center:
High Road Strategy Center
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON
7122 Social Science Building, 1180 Observatory Drive | Madison, WI 53706 [email protected] | highroad.wisc.edu
