Infrastructure and Influence: Realigning Real Estate, Regulation, and Public Mobility

CALSTART is a national nonprofit consortium that works with governments and the private sector to accelerate clean transportation solutions and promote sustainable mobility. As cities grow denser and mobility demands evolve, the relationship between real estate development, public infrastructure, and municipal planning has become increasingly intertwined. Developers are often expected to finance or construct mobility improvements—such as transit access, bike infrastructure, and road upgrades—but inconsistent regulations and financing mechanisms can lead to inefficiencies, inequities, and missed opportunities for sustainable outcomes.

This Capstone project will support CALSTART in examining how public-private collaboration can better align real estate development with transportation goals. The team will analyze financing and regulatory mechanisms—including value capture, inclusionary zoning, and public-private partnerships—and assess case studies where development has successfully advanced equitable and multimodal mobility. Through interviews with developers, planners, and municipal officials, the team will identify barriers and incentives that shape cooperation. The final deliverable will include a strategic framework and practical toolkit outlining partnership models, policy recommendations, and financial structures to help municipalities coordinate infrastructure growth while ensuring accessibility, climate resilience, and fiscal sustainability.