EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 37

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

“Planners are the guardians of the future and we have an ethical obligation to go out of our way to make sure voices traditionally not heard have a voice,’ Homewood said. 

“We are the ones who are professionally trained and emotionally prepared to imagine our communities in 5, 10, 20, 100 years. 

In terms of climate change, civil unrest, wild fires, pandemics — we are most capable of addressing social and environmental issues and we must ensure we do it in a way that maximizes the health, safety and economic wellbeing of the entire community.”

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 36

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Homewood said planners must get past the paternalism of the Great Society and Model Cities movements that whether well-intended or not, added to inequity rather than resolving it. 

He urged planners to get past the “lunacy” of zoning processes that are not inclusive and stand in the way of building communities that are diverse, walkable, bikeable, livable and mixed (incomes and uses).

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 35

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

“Cities planning for highways said (African American communities) were blight, so they were not given anything close to replacement value. 

Their ownership was taken from them and they became renters,” he continued. 

“The one thing we know the greatest source of integrational wealth transfer is homeownership. 

Even in gentrification, if the businesses and houses are owner occupied, everyone reaps the benefits. 

When bad policies took away ownership and made people renters, now a gentrifying neighborhood displaces renters and (deepens the wounds from property takings done generations ago).”

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 34

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

George Homewood

George Homewood is the planning director for Norfolk, Va., and served on the task force that created the APA equity policy guide.

“Unfortunately, a legacy that planners have to face up to — one of the key components to the equity policy guide — is the tools of our profession got co-opted and used to divide rather than bring together,” Homewood said. 

“When properties were acquired for highways, African American businesses and houses were taken. 

These were properties folks owned. 

Not only were properties taken, to further compound the crime, they were given a discounted, unfair market value. 

They were not paid what would allow them to replace their business or living conditions."

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 33

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Andy Mills

“Serving all areas, communities and people to ensure equal access to a healthier, safer and environmentally friendly transportation options are a few of our top priorities. 

Central Ohio is known for the “Columbus Way,” public private partnerships serving the greater good of our communities and providing equal access to all.

We are proud of our work and look forward to the implementation phases of building additional trails. 

It goes without saying, we affirm our commitment to Fair Housing but we are also committed to equality and serving all neighborhoods,” said Andy Mills, 2020 Columbus REALTORS® president. 

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 32

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

The Columbus Association of REALTORS® (CAR) secured a smart growth grant to match other funding to support a $50,000 study to equitably build out the Central Ohio Greenways Regional Trail Vision. 

The planning effort acknowledges that many Central Ohio low-income and minority neighborhoods have traditionally been underserved and lack access to safe transportation and recreation options. 

With equity for all, benefits would include cleaner environment, health cost savings and support of a transportation mode-shift away from car dependency.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 31

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Thompson said NAREB continues to encourage pathways to homeownership while combating the horrendous impact of historic redlining.

“Redlining still takes place today, as African Americans are in lending deserts. 

In some communities, they are twice as likely to be turned down for a mortgage as a non-African American,” he said.

We promote democracy in housing. 

Lawmakers need to pay attention to lending patterns and trends. 

Most have no idea what lending rates are, broken down by racial demographics.”

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 30

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Another remedy is making sure stakeholders drive the planning process, not just developers.

Thompson said too many cities dedicate most of their millions in infrastructure to mega developments or new neighborhoods, instead of investing in maintaining core neighborhoods.

“Look at the demolition budget vs. housing rehab dollars. Many cities spend 10 to 1 on knocking down houses instead of spending a little to help people on upkeep,” he said. 

“People get written up for code violations. 

It’s hard to get a mortgage or rehab loan, so it drives people to walk away from their homes. 

That makes it a market for speculators who don’t have the same commitment to the neighborhood. 

In minority neighborhoods, we need comprehensive, sustainable community strategies that rehab houses; stabilize mortgages; fix curbs and sidewalks; provide convenient transit; upgrade water and sewer lines; maintain parks and streetscapes; and build arts and cultural facilities.”

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 29

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Antoine M. Thompson

Antoine M. Thompson is executive director of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), the largest organization of African American real estate professionals in the United States. 

He said planning for equity can be as simple as placing caps over expressways or removing them — to reconnect communities separated by such major transportation projects that almost always were built through African American neighborhoods.

Thompson, who severed as a state legislator in Buffalo, said the planning and zoning departments of most American cities could benefit from having more diverse staffers, noting a staff that lacks diversity may have good intentions, but it’s likely to make paternal, detrimental decisions.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 28

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

“New growth practices need to consider who they are accountable to — rather than focus on financial return to investment and highest and best use of land. 

There is an opportunity to assess the broader impacts to the community — environmental, social, economic, etc.,” she said.

“If we look at the impacts of existing growth policy — often favoring big box, chains, national retailers/hotels/services, and other similar types of development — the costs of supporting infrastructure and long-term sustainability far outweigh the benefits to community.

In order to support mom and pops/local/diverse businesses, it’s imperative that local planning decisions not only prioritize these types of developments, but also support their success.”

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 27

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Guerra said addressing planning flaws requires that planners understand:

The many ripple effects of racist and inequitable planning practices;

That planning expertise offers important technical knowledge, but it should not outweigh the local, lived expertise of community members; and

Planners must look beyond the built environment as the outcome of design. That it requires engaging in meaningful conversations across disciplines to understand the deep social impacts of inequality and a path forward that centers on both place and community.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 26

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Monica Guerra

Monica Guerra, PhD, a senior planer at Raimi + Associates in Riverside Calif., contributed to the APA’s planning equity guide.

“I’d start by acknowledging that the most egregious impacts, such as that of redlining, have not been done away,” she said, outlining her best practices for equity. 

“The reason such inequalities exist in parks, transit systems, and playgrounds in many communities is because of these impacts.

It’s a mistake to separate the built environment from the social issues present in a community.”

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 25

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Barrie said an enormous number of houses are in HOAs, which results in private zoning that denies affordable or even attainable housing.

“HOAs are able to overlay regressive and restrictive rules, creating privileged enclaves that live by their own rules,” Barrie said. 

“We have a strong storyline in our country, that it is the country of opportunity — then we create all kinds of pre-emptive state laws, zoning codes and HOAs that make it not an equitable nation.” 

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 24

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Barrie said some states and cities — Oregon, Minneapolis, Denver and Grand Rapids — have eliminated exclusive single-family zoning or are moving toward that. 

He supports efforts to allow more diverse and dense housing.

He is not a fan of Home Owner Associations, noting they can impose deed restrictions and covenants that would be unconstitutional if they were in city zoning and building codes.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 23

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Thomas Barrie

Thomas Barrie, professor of architecture at NC State University and director of the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Initiative, published a powerful op-ed in the Charlotte Observer in June titled: 

“To fight racism, throw out neighborhood zoning laws that lead to segregated housing.” 

He is interested in cracking the code that gives the reason behind why places look like they do and why disparity is built into the system.

“North Carolina has all sorts of laws, put in for dubious reasons, that inhibit or greatly limit affordable housing,” he said.

“We can’t have inclusionary zoning or rent control.

There are limits on cities creating their own housing laws, state law that limits the ability to create form-based codes. 

I’m an educator. It is my role to write op-eds and inform people about laws that limit justice, inclusion and equity.”

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 22

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

“I would add an element of planning focused on creating places that people care about,” Brown said.

“Look at how well it’s maintained by stakeholders, local government, or volunteers.  

The care of a space represents its respect, its success and its dignity. Are we creating spaces with respect for humanity and environment—- regardless of people’s social identities?”

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 21

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Representational justice. 

The key question is: do people feel like their experience and history is represented in the space?

In many planning activities in hot real estate markets, there is a growing concern around gentrification and displacement. 

One of the ways to mitigate these concerns about cultural erasure is representational justice. 

Make sure people’s history is represented in the new space, through development or redevelopment. 

Many public spaces have monuments and plaques detailing the achievements of white people. 

We need to have more inclusive plaques and markers that talk about the history of the place made by all people.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 20

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Procedural justice. 

This is about ensuring the full and fair participation. 

We must ask questions (such as) who has influence over the design, the programming — of these networks? What’s the power dynamic? — not only historically but presently.

Interactional justice. 

This gets at concerns around what makes people feel welcome or unwanted at a space. 

If we are to pursue interactional justice, we must make sure all people feel welcome. 

This touches on every aspect of identity (including but not limited to) sexual orientation, race, religion, and disability.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 19

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Brown urges planning professionals to evaluate projects and plans through the lens of equity. 

He said defined equity as the presence of justice and fairness within the procedures and processes by an institution. 

Adapting forms of justice developed by Setha Low, director of the Public Space Research Group at the City University of New York.

Brown has detailed how the pursuit of justice should impact planning:

Distributive Justice. 

We must ask who has physical access to that street, that park, that trail, that building?

That applies to pedestrians, persons with disabilities, the modes in which a person can access a street or trail. 

It examines public transit vs. driving disparities.

It evaluates the impact of an auto-centric environment. We must ensure that transportation includes (space and safety) for bikes, people with disabilities, micro mobility, and pedestrians.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION -- Part 18

Planning, Zoning and other Land Use Policy Best Practices to Erase Errors of the Past that Perpetuated Bias and Deepened Inequality

Charles T. Brown

Charles T. Brown, MPA, senior Researcher at the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University, is committed to creating equitable cities. 

“It’s important that all parties be more knowledgeable of the historic land-use and transportation issues that have disproportionately impacted racial and ethnic minorities and low-economic communities,” he said. 

“The environmental justice movement demands that we ensure the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in our decision-making process.