MAPC
Smart Growth & Regional Collaboration
MAPC and the City of Quincy are developing a Digital Equity Plan, as part of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute's Municipal Digital Equity Planning Program.
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The planning process involves four main phases:
Existing Conditions Assessment and Data Analysis: June - July, 2023
In this phase, MAPC's Data Analytics team will collect and analyze existing data relating to digital access from local, state, and federal sources. This phase also includes mapping of existing broadband infrastructure and of social infrastructure which exists to support digital literacy at community institutions like libraries, schools, community centers, and others.
Community Engagement and Qualitative Research: August - September, 2023
After completing initial data analysis, MAPC's Community Engagement team and municipal staff will conduct a comprehensive community engagement process. This process will consist of survey research (conducted in-person as well as online), interviews and focus groups, and public events to contextualize the results of our data analysis with the lived experience of Quincy residents.
Action Plan Development: October - November, 2023
Once qualitative and quantitative data have been collected and analyzed, the project team will work to produce specific, actionable recommendations to be shared with municipal leadership and community-based stakeholders. These include policy recommendations, infrastructure investments, and other interventions.
Documentation and Plan Communication: November, 2023 - January, 2024
Building on the digital equity action plan, MAPC's Digital Equity team will work to turn findings and recommendations into a comprehensive plan document, with a target publication date of early December, 2023. Following publication, the project team will share the findings with state and local elected leaders, municipal decision makers, community-based organizations, and the public in a series events and other outreach activities.
To learn more or get involved in the Digital Equity plan, please email Will Pfeffer ([email protected]), the project manager for this planning process.
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GET INVOLVED
Check back soon for ways to get involved, including signing up for our email list, testing your internet speed, and completing a Digital Equity survey.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR DIGITAL EQUITY WORK
Current Digital Equity Planning Projects
Completed Digital Equity Plans
Contact Us
Contact MAPC Civic Technologist Will Pfeffer at [email protected] for more information.
Other Resources
MBI Municipal Digital Equity Planning program application
Digital Equity at MAPC
Why Digital Equity planning?
MAPC is, at its core, a planning agency. We work with cities and towns across Greater Boston to produce Digital Equity plans which guide municipalities, public housing agencies, and other public entities in their efforts to increase digital equity.
A digital equity plan is distinct from a broadband master plan, which might detail the specific logistical and financial steps necessary to improve municipally-owned broadband infrastructure. A digital equity plan has a much broader focus: it addresses in-home access, affordability, digital literacy, device access, language access, and other factors which impact communities' experience using the internet far beyond the presence of fiber broadband infrastructure.
MAPC has been prequalified by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (the Commonwealth's broadband office) as a digital equity planning consultant. As part of MBI's Municipal Digital Equity Planning program, municipalities (or groups of municipalities) can apply to receive a digital equity plan or planning charrette at no cost to the municipality. The details of each of these two options are listed below, using language borrowed from MBI's application page. Municipalities may apply directly on the MBI's website here, and should feel free to contact our team with any questions about the application process or the digital equity planning process in general.
Previous Digital Equity Plans
In 2022, MAPC produced a Digital Equity Plan for the cities of Everett, Chelsea, and Revere. The full plan and the standalone Executive Summary can be accessed here:
Questions?
If you have questions or comments about MAPC's digital equity work, contact Civic Technologist, Will Pfeffer at [email protected].