At Mpact, we see the potential for transit and mobility, land use and development — taken together — to create better lives and brighter futures.
We connect and support a network of leaders, practitioners and advocates dedicated to engaging with communities to define what’s possible and sharing practical, proven ways to get there.
Mission
We serve as a catalyst for the movement to build livable communities with transit by inspiring people in communities and regions to make better transit and land use decisions. We do this by partnering, equipping and connecting people and institutions at all levels.
Values
We believe communities should work for all people.
Everyone should be able to connect and reach the places that help them thrive.
Achieving that reality is easier said than done.
It takes being intentional.
It takes being willing to confront barriers.
It takes as much heart and soul as it takes innovation and technology.
It takes diverse expertise and experience.
The work is worth it because the benefits are profound.
Our History
Founding
Founded as Rail~Volution, arising from efforts in Portland, Oregon, to engage community in shaping outcomes from a new light rail line (hence: rail~volution).
Bold ideas about linking transportation and land use, part of the resurgence of downtowns around new transit projects, especially rail.
We helped make the case for transit-oriented development: that it could be popular and successful to build along high capacity transit.
Success! But also a growing recognition of displacement – that new projects, intentionally or not, often continued a history of exclusionary transportation & development practices.
Redouble focus on transit & TOD but with greater commitment to community vision and engagement. Aligning and shifting power and resources. Sharing case studies of working with communities to shape outcomes.
Evolving new best practices and innovative tools even as mobility changes and we face the challenges of making sure the benefits of transportation and development reach all communities, including those previously left out or excluded, and of building places that are sustainable and climate resilient. Â
Today
We are Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility. Our mission has not changed. We support and equip a network dedicated to building better places for people, by taking a community-first approach to transit, mobility and development.