Equity Planning Offers Historic Context, Current Perspective

Jonathan Welle provides an in-depth interview with former Cleveland City Planner Norman Krumholz, who served the city in the late '60s to '70s. According to Welle's introduction of the interview, "[Krumholz] and his office rejected traditional efficiency-first models of city planning, and instead prioritized transportation, housing, and recreational solutions for the city’s poorest residents, an innovative approach known as equity planning."

The interview touches on the re-emergence of equity planning as a prominent issue in planning practice, Krumholz's role in creating the legal framework for Cleveland'sCommunity Development Corporations, where the traditional narratives about Cleveland's comeback fall short of the reality, and more.

Welle also provides this bit of information on Krumholz's work since leaving Cleveland City Hall in the late 1970s. "Krumholz, now 88 years old, has continued to promote equity planning as a faculty member at Cleveland State University and during a stint as President of the American Planning Association."