News & Events
July 2023
Urban Mayors Policy Center Supporting NJ Clean Communities Initiatives
New Jersey Clean Communities (NJCC), New Jersey’s only statewide, comprehensive, litter-abatement program has partnered with the Urban Mayors Policy Center (UMPC) to advance community cleanup efforts and support to urban centers awarded NJCC grants to address clean, healthy, and safe communities.
On July 22 nd , the UMPC kicked off a clean community’s initiative in the Township of Hillside addressing litter on four business corridors. The kickoff engaged residents, youth and business and raised awareness to clean up efforts regularly. While the launch was held in Hillside, efforts will expand to other New Jersey Urban Mayor Association cities including Elizabeth, Roselle, Plainfield, & Linden.
To learn more about New Jersey Clean Communities visit, https://www.njclean.org.
For support in designing a clean community’s campaign in your community, contact njuma@kean.edu.
Brownfields Redevelopment Workshop
A collaboration between the Urban Mayors Policy Center, the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Region 2, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Technical Assistance Brownfield Program, led a Brownfields redevelopment workshop for members of the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA) from Atlantic City, Bridgeton, Camden, Millville, Pleasantville, Willingboro and neighboring cities.
The workshop provided attendees with foundational information about brownfields, available resources to establish brownfield redevelopment, and case studies of successful brownfield projects implemented in other communities. Additionally, the workshop provided compelling evidence of the significant benefits associated with the remediation and removal of contaminants from sites, including air and water quality improvements, and position communities to be more climate resilient.
The resources made available by all partners leading the workshop presented a wealth of opportunities for cities to revitalize vacant spaces and foster the sustainable redevelopment of their communities.
To learn more about NJUMA, contact, njuma@kean.edu.
The Watson Institute’s Health Policy Center recognizes Juneteenth at the Capital City Farms
For the second year, the Watson Institute’s Health Policy Center participated in a Juneteenth celebration at the Capital City Farm in Trenton.
The Healthy Policy Center, which is leading an initiative on maternal and infant child health in Trenton engaged with mothers and caregivers during the event to learn more about maternal/child health issues and needs.
The eventful day on the farm was filled with activity including live entertainment, opportunities to harvest fresh produce, sample African cuisines and connect with neighbors and other community members to share resources and other information.
The level of engagement, support, excitement and sense of Trenton pride of the community by talking to people was greatly felt. The team enjoyed having conversations with Trentonians as they shared information about the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center that is coming soon to the area.
To learn more about and visit Capital City Farm visit: www.mercercounty.org/parks.
On Monday, July 24, 2023, Governor Murphy signed into law NJ State Senate Bill 3864. The bill establishes the New Jersey Maternal Infant Health Innovation Authority, a new organ of state government whose headquarters will be located in Trenton.
April 2023
Governor Murphy Announces Nation's First Environmental Justice Rules to Reduce Pollution in Vulnerable Communities
Nicky Sheats, Ph.D., director of the Center for the Urban Environment, at the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean, said New Jersey’s landmark Environmental Justice Law and its community-first approach are “an important step in addressing the disproportionate and harmful pollution that plagues communities of color and communities with low-income in our state.” See also Gloucester City News.
October 2022
U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D) - NJ recently appeared on Think Tank with Steve Adubato to discuss the important work being done at the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research and the pressing issues urban communities are facing today, including environmental justice, climate change and affordable/quality child care.
The interview aired this past weekend on Think Tank with Steve Adubato and will re-air in the coming months. The program is now available on SteveAdubato.org, Steve's YouTube channel, MyNJPBS.org, Thirteen.org, the Thirteen Explore app and the NJ PBS app.
May 2022
Kean University experts in urban policy and architecture joined community leaders in Trenton recently to develop strategies for reversing the blight caused by redlining in the city’s Coalport neighborhood.
https://www.kean.edu/news/reversing-urban-distress-trentons-coalport-neighborhood
April 2022
Kean program is helping teachers acquire understanding, perspective, and evidence-based strategies so that they can teach more intentionally.
February 2022
Nicky Sheats, J.D., Ph.D., director of the Center for the Urban Environment at the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University, testified before the Congressional Natural Resources Committee today on legislation designed to protect urban and underserved neighborhoods from pollution.
Presentations
Consortium of Economic Development Administrators (CEDA), May 11, Virtual, Hosted by Kean US EDA University Center and Gateway Chamber of Commerce
Alex Rivera, Director, Kean US EDA University Center, moderated a panel discussion on Guiding Local Businesses and Communities through Gentrification
Conferences
NJ Future & American Planning Association (NJ) Redevelopment & Planning Conference, June 16th, 2022, New Brunswick, NJ
Tenisha Malcolm, Director of the Urban Mayors Policy Center, serves as a Board Member for New Jersey Future. Tenisha moderated a panel discussion titled "Democratizing Data: Data Tools for Building Trust and Sharing Power." The session described several tools that have made data more accessible and transparent so that it can be understood and used by more people.
2022 Waterfront Conference, May 24, New York, NY-Hosted by Waterfront Alliance
Barbara George Johnson, Vice President, participated as panelist at the conference session titled NJ National Leadership in Climate Resilience Planning. This panel explored the specific steps municipalities must take; challenges in compliance, resources, and funding needed; the role of local communities in shaping these plans; and opportunities for New Jersey's law to serve as a model for other states.
2022 Healthy Homes and Communities Summit, April 29, Virtual, Hosted by HCDDNJ
Barbara George Johnson, Vice President, moderated a panel titled Growing a True Garden State: Ending Food Deserts in NJ. This session will featured a variety of speakers from public and private institutions with extensive experience and proven strategies combating food insecurity. The speakers discussed new funding and opportunities that community leaders can use to improve health outcomes and secure food justice in our communities.