Equity

Volunteers

Advocates: Equity Lacking in the New Houston Climate Action Plan

Advocates and local residents are expressing concern about a lack of direct support in the Houston Climate Action Plan for underserved neighborhoods that have already experienced some of the worst effects of climate change.

July 1, 2020 - One Breath Partnership

Millennial Commerce

Report Assesses Equity Outcomes for the Opportunity Zone Program

Critics have raised doubts and concerns about the potential misuse of the federal Opportunity Zone program since it was approved in 2017, but a new report finds some evidence that the program is working toward its promoted intention.

June 22, 2020 - Urban Institute

Park Rendering

Community Park Addresses Open Space, Air Quality Disparities in L.A.

Lou Calanche and Esther Feldman discuss the Natural Park at Ramona Gardens, a green solution project to improve air quality and community health in one of the most polluted neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

June 17, 2020 - The Planning Report

Coronavirus Protest

Debating the Future of Cities After the Coronavirus, Volume 3

The third installment of an ongoing, curated list of a particularly contemporary genre of urbanism punditry.

June 10, 2020 - James Brasuell

Minneapolis Protests

Violence Against Black Americans a Moment of Reckoning for the Planning Profession

After a wave violence against Black men in the United States, it is the duty of the planning profession to consider its role in perpetuating institutional racism.

June 1, 2020 - James Brasuell

Coronavirus and Transportation

New York's Open Streets Program Leaves Out Neighborhoods That Need Open Space Most

New York City has opened an increasing number of street miles for pedestrians and people on bikes, but far fewer streets have been opened in the neighborhoods that need it most—low income neighborhoods lacking walkable access to parks and open space.

May 25, 2020 - New York Daily News

Miami

Centering Equity in Climate Adaptation

Avoiding the effects of climate change should not be a privilege for the wealthy.

May 12, 2020 - The New York Times

Seattle light rail

Op-Ed: The Importance of Equity in Transportation Planning

Transportation planners must address equity issues in their work and involve the people most affected by the planning and policymaking process.

March 26, 2020 - Next City

Minneapolis Minnesota

Minneapolis Riverfront Project Raises Issues of Equity

The Upper Harbor Terminal project is set to transform an area north of downtown, but residents are concerned about the long-term impacts and outcomes.

March 10, 2020 - Minnesota Public Radio

kent, Washington

Dispute Over Siting of Coronavirus Quarantine Facility in Washington State

The Seattle area is ground zero for the coronavirus in the U.S., where 10 of the 11 deaths as of March 5 have occurred. King County's decision to purchase a motel in Kent for use as a quarantine facility is being met with protests by city officials.

March 8, 2020 - The Seattle Times

Tropic, Utah

Utah Officials Want to Replace the State Gas Tax

The state auditor and the transportation chief argue that the gas tax is an unsustainable funding source caused by a projected increase in electric vehicle adoption and an increase in fuel efficiency of gas-powered vehicles.

March 3, 2020 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Indianapolis Bus Rapid Transit

The Ticket to Opportunity in Indianapolis

An organization successfully balanced the tension between expanding rail line service and improving bus service, and ensuring race was at the forefront of the conversation.

January 10, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

Pratt Street Baltimore

Bike Lanes Aren’t Just a White Thing

Neighborhoods of color are often more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists, but they are also often left behind when local officials redesign streets to make them safer. How can we change this?

December 15, 2019 - Shelterforce Magazine

Equity in Public Spaces

Earlier this year, the Project for Public Spaces published a "Playbook for Inclusive Placemaking."

December 13, 2019 - Project For Public Spaces

Cleveland

Equity Planning for the 21st Century

The 20th century roots of equity planning, born in Cleveland, are evolving to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Portland provides a case study of that evolution.

October 24, 2019 - Shareable

Pedestrians

The Vision Zero Commitment in Prince George's County

The Maryland county is launching a traffic safety program, but much work and many changes are needed to eliminate traffic fatalities.

October 12, 2019 - Greater Greater Washington

Queens Park

An Interview With New York Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, FAICP

Mitchell Silver, commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, former planning director of Raleigh, and former president of the APA, discusses the aspirations and realities of a long, successful career in planning.

September 4, 2019 - James Brasuell

Memphis Riverfront

Ensuring Equity in Memphis Riverfront Development

One of the city’s biggest assets is its riverfront, but equity and inclusion need to be an important part of what development brings to residents and communities.

September 1, 2019 - The Avenue (Brookings)

San Francisco Bike Lane

Scooter 'Redlining' Raises Questions in San Francisco

San Francisco hoped a competitive permitting process would ensure considerations of equity in the operations of scooters in the city. The results haven't lived up to expectations.

August 19, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Minneapolis Park

A Comprehensive Plan for Every Neighborhood Park

Minneapolis wants more equity in its parks spending—and new plans are a key step in the process of delivering more equitable results.

August 15, 2019 - MinnPost

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.