DIVERSITY IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IS UNDER ATTACK — BUT THESE EXPERTS SAY IT’S MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER

MINORITY-OWNED PLANNING FIRMS ARE AS ESSENTIAL AS THEY EVER WERE, THESE FOUR TOP EXPERTS ARGUE — NO MATTER WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS

Minority industry leaders, though, emphasize that their community does bring unique value and results — no matter what Washington says. 

“It is not that large firms cannot do good work, because they often do,” said Charles Brown, who is the Founder & CEO of the urban planning, public policy and research firm, Horizon 54.

“It is that perspective matters. Diverse firms do not just bring different faces to the table.

We often bring different questions, experiences, and ways of understanding the people affected by the work.” 

“Why? Because we believe those closest to the problem are closest to the solution,” Brown continued.  

 

DIVERSITY IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IS UNDER ATTACK — BUT THESE EXPERTS SAY IT’S MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER

MINORITY-OWNED PLANNING FIRMS ARE AS ESSENTIAL AS THEY EVER WERE, THESE FOUR TOP EXPERTS ARGUE — NO MATTER WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS

“Diverse firms often bring lived experiences, deep community relationship, and unique ways of seeing a problem,” said Charles Brown, who is the Founder & CEO of the urban planning, public policy and research firm, Horizon 54, formerly called Equitable Cities. “Often, that leads us to ask questions or identify impacts that others may overlook.” 

Still, Brown and the other experts we interviewed for this story acknowledged that minority-owned firms face uniquely steep barriers today. 

Affirmative action programs were a required part of federal contracting for a half century, but President Trump signed an executive order revoking it as one of his first acts in office.

The Trump administration also has banned federal contractors, subcontractors, and grant recipients from operating diversity, equity and inclusion programs of their own. 

DIVERSITY IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IS UNDER ATTACK — BUT THESE EXPERTS SAY IT’S MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER

MINORITY-OWNED PLANNING FIRMS ARE AS ESSENTIAL AS THEY EVER WERE, THESE FOUR TOP EXPERTS ARGUE — NO MATTER WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS

Look at the worst, most barrier-choked places for wheelchair users in your community, and you’ll likely find that they have something in common: they were all planned by 100-percent able-bodied teams, who don’t understand the real needs of people with mobility challenges. 

It’s not just about the disability realm. 

Planning history is littered with top-down, failed projects, where the majority imposed what it thought was best for the minority. 

And even if that majority was well-meaning, they got it wrong. 

That’s why experts like Charles T. Brown argue that planning teams must be led by firms that understand the unique and nuanced requirements of placemaking for all — or at least include key sub-consultants on their teams. 

And in an era when the very concepts of “diversity,” “equity,” and “inclusion” are under fire in Washington and beyond, they say diverse hiring is even more important.

 

 

 

DIVERSITY IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IS UNDER ATTACK — BUT THESE EXPERTS SAY IT’S MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER

MINORITY-OWNED PLANNING FIRMS ARE AS ESSENTIAL AS THEY EVER WERE, THESE FOUR TOP EXPERTS ARGUE — NO MATTER WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS

“When you visit the street where Mike Brown was killed [in Ferguson, Missouri, or] when you visit the intersection where George Floyd was killed [in Minneapolis] – the places where their blood spilled out — it is very clear there is no process, tool, or policy that deals with the need to heal the land,” said Dr. Destiny Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles-based Thrivance Group,

Despite the current political climate, Charles Brown, who is the Founder & CEO of the urban planning, public policy and research firm, Horizon 54, emphasizes that his minority-owned firm is growing — and others can too. 

Because even if the rules change, his clients recognize the benefits of both his expertise and his lived experience. 

“There is a big difference between being on the team and having influence over the work,” said Brown, an award-winning transportation professional. “Too often, the minority firm is one of eight or nine subs, has a small scope, and has little say over the budget, methodology, or final recommendations. 

“Diversity at the bottom of the organizational chart is not the same as diversity in decision-making,” Brown continued.

 “Giving qualified, diverse firms opportunities to lead means they help shape the project from the beginning rather than simply being brought in to check a box.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIVERSITY IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IS UNDER ATTACK — BUT THESE EXPERTS SAY IT’S MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER

MINORITY-OWNED PLANNING FIRMS ARE AS ESSENTIAL AS THEY EVER WERE, THESE FOUR TOP EXPERTS ARGUE — NO MATTER WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS

As Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles-based Thrivance Group, Dr. Destiny Thomas says equitable planning is about actions — not just words.

Even when reports are couched in diverse language, she questions whether conventional planning is truly addressing the desires and needs of diverse people and communities.

“When I think about what sets so-called minority [firms] apart from others, I think about the process,” she added. “I think about opening the process, so diverse opinions are not just gathered but are a part of the plan and policy.” 

Thomas has developed what she calls “The Geography of Memory” framework, which examines how collective trauma becomes embedded in physical places and continues to shape mobility, public trust, redevelopment outcomes, and community interaction with the built environment. 

The framework encourages agencies to map the location of police violence, highways that displaced neighborhoods, forced housing relocation, and neglected public infrastructure, among other public sites of trauma.

She said when those areas are plotted and acknowledged, cities avoid “making investments that unintentionally reinforce harm.” 

Moreover, recognizing sites with negative history in a marginalized neighborhoods can help communities to move forward while shaping local trust in mobility, redevelopment and infrastructure projects.

 

 

 

CITY OF MIAMI COMMITS TO KEEPING SIDEWALKS PROTECTED AND OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION

NO MORE CLOSED SIDEWALKS FORCING WHEELCHAIR USERS AND ALL PEDESTRIANS TO UNNECESSARILY CROSS DANGEROUS TRAFFIC

“…the City Commission approved our legislation requiring overhead pedestrian protection instead of simply closing sidewalks during construction.

Thank you to my colleagues who co-sponsored this important safety and quality-of-life initiative.” -- Miami City Commissioner Damian Pardo.

Kudos to Commissioner Damián Pardo and fellow Miami City Commissioners for approving this.

It is a crucial element of mobility for people with disabilities. 

I was proud to discuss this with Commissioner Pardo during a Miami DDA downtown block walk, to offer Universal Design insights to Alexandra Alexieva and to speak about the economic benefits of a walkable city in front of Mayor Eileen Higgins and the Commission at the first reading of this legislation.

I stand with this leadership to convince Miami-Dade County to adopt similar legislation to prevent the dangers of closed sidewalks on County streets.

 

GLOBAL DISABILITY INCLUSION HONORED ME ON ITS LIST OF THE TOP 3 DOZEN

DISABILITY ADVOCATES, ACTIVISTS, LEADERS & CHANGE MAKERS

It is the honor of a lifetime to make Global Disability Inclusion's "list of 36 people to know who are advancing accessibility and disability inclusion."

I have used my urban design and storytelling skills to create a better built environment for all.

"Steve Wright - a universal design expert helping cities and organizations understand that accessible design benefits everyone. A world traveler who is seeking out some of the world's most accessible and innovative designs."

--Bio by Meg O'Connell, CEO, Global Disability Inclusion.

Being recognized as one of the top 3 dozen disability-forward leaders/influencers is special, coming from a great inclusion expert such as Meg O'Connell, PHR.

Award winning Global Disability Inclusion is the premier firm for organizations creating more inclusive, accessible and engaged workplaces for people with disabilities.

I am the only town planner/storyteller on the Global Disability Inclusion list.

Humbled to be in the company of: John D. Kemp, James LeBrecht, Maria Town, Jack McElaney, Tiffany A. Yu, the Hon. Mike Lake, M.P.,  and the late Judy Heumann.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7487479566723198976/

DISABILITY IS NOT AN OUTLIER

INCLUSION IS A MUST!

When I post about the need for barrier free sidewalks in Miami’s Shenandoah, many people act like I am serving one person.

Well, this is one of 3 wheelchair ramped houses on the short side street of SW 18 Ave between SW 14-16 Aves.

That much need for access is proof positive that:

Disability is NOT an outlier.

Inclusion is a MUST!

WHEN THE WHEELCHAIR ACCESS IS STEERED AWAY FROM THE MAIN ENTRANCE

BAD THINGS HAPPEN BECAUSE PEOPLE BLOCK RAMPS WITH EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN

Wheelchair access ramps are NOT:

Places to park scooters or bikes.

Storage for extra chairs & tables.

This is what happens when ignorant cities let lazy architects design segregated entrances for people with disabilities.

It also is the fault of cities that are not proactive in regulating micromobility.

I WILL NOT LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO SEE CITIES

PRIORITIZE HUMAN BEINGS OVER VEHICLES

Amazing that a car can break down on a sleepy side street — and it’s towed away in a half hour to keep auto traffic flowing.

But shoddy utility vault work that destroys pedestrian safety in a dense, walkable area festers for months

We obsess on clearing the way for speeding traffic.

We block wheelchair/all safe pedestrian mobility for months.

This is in the heart of Miami Beach.

DOUGLAS ROAD IS A MAJOR CORRIDOR

NARROW SIDEWALKS AND PINCH POINTS DESTROY WHEELCHAIR ACCESS FOR MANY SW 37 AVENUE SEGMENTS BETWEEN CORAL GABLES-MIAMI

After walking 7 blocks on Douglas Road today:

I can confidently say if I am given the choice between 2 days in jail or walking 12 blocks of Douglas & crossing its dangerous traffic 4 times—I’m picking time in the lock up.

Narrow sidewalks.

No shade.

Power polls and other barriers that destroy wheelchair access.

More than 1/3 of people in Miami-Dade County cannot or do not drive.

They deserve a multi mobile experience on this major artery also known as 37th Ave.

Let’s fix this.

The people of Miami and Coral Gables deserve better.

IT’S AN EMBARRASSMENT TO WALK AN URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD – WHEN THE SIDEWALK SHRINKS TO 2 FEED WIDE – CRUSHING ACCESS FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS

MIAMI'S NORTHEAST SECOND AVENUE IS SUPER WIDE AND DANGEROUS – WHILE PEDSTRIAN MOBILTY IS IMPOSSIBLE:                 THIS IS UPSIDE DOWN 

Miami’s Upper Buena Vista is exploding with great restaurants & shops.

But a sidewalk less than 2 feet wide means wheelchair users must go out into incredibly dangerous NE 2nd Ave.

The City of Miami and Miami-Dade County MUST fix this on east side of NE 2nd Ave. at NE 49 St.

This is a screaming violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

It defies every planning goal of having walkable, pedestrian friendly urban neighborhoods.

Many sidewalk sections -- why destroy independence for and rob dignity of people with disabilities -- exist in this redeveloping urban enclave.

THIS PHOTO SUMS UP THE PATHETIC STATE OF DISABILITY INCLUSION

A THIRD OF A CENTURY AFTER THE PASSAGE OF

THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

The alleged accessible entrance is barred/locked.

There is no call button.

The Ocean Drive vacation rentals building could be a perfect location for wheelchair users to roll to many Miami Beach Attractions.

But the entrance is locked.

This is what happens when ADA is viewed as onerous instead of inclusive.

PERIL FOR PEDESTRIANS

HUGE BUS SHELTER ADD BLOCKS VISION 

RIGHT AT A SIDEWALK PINCH POINT

This may be the world’s worst giant opaque advertising sign placement in history.

It creates a blind spot right at a narrow pinch point of sidewalk.

A cyclist who couldn’t see me crashed into me here on Alton Road just south of Lincoln Road.

This advertising revenue generator, masquerading as a bus shelter, provides no vision — for northbound cyclist — of what is coming southbound.

Miami Beach must fix this even if it’s a state road.

A wheelchair user could get killed.

VIRTUALLY EVERY MAJOR CITY FACILITATES LARGE SCALE CONSTRUCTION WHILE MAINTAINING SIDEWALK SAFETY DURING DEVELOPMENT

MIAMI CLOSE SIDEWALKS FOR YEARS WHILE PEDESTRIANS, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, RISK THEIR LIVES CROSSING THE STREET TO CONTINUE THERE JOURNEY

Is there something Miami’s water in that turns big developers & major construction firms into incompetent fools?

Because every city I have lived in + every city I have visited — does not close sidewalks for 3 years of work.

How is it that gigantic, 50-story buildings can be built everywhere else while maintaining sidewalks – but in Miami our development community is incapable of this simple task?

In Miami, we kill pedestrian safety for no reason.

There are 100s of American cities that require developers to maintain sidewalks during construction.

Simple scaffolding preserves safe mobility for pedestrians and independence for people with disabilities.

PHOTO OPS AT WORLD CUP PARTIES ARE FUN

SAVING LIVES IS ESSENTIAL

I am begging Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins to take swift action to collaborate with Miami-Dade County to reduce unsafe conditions for pedestrians.

A Miami Herald story this week documented that greater Miami is one of the most dangerous places for pedestrians in the entire U.S.

I have supported and voted for Higgins since she ran for elected office in the County.

I attended her kickoff meeting when she successfully ran for mayor.

She has given me a proclamation for my artistic work to support historic preservation.

I now call on my fellow believer in public service and colleague to take decisive action.

A Chief Mobility Officer could save lives and increase safe mobility for all.

A city executive focused on stopping pedestrian deaths and severe injuries would be especially valuable for vulnerable residents who are disabled, elderly or very young.

More than 1/3 of Miamians cannot or do not drive.

That makes for a large constituency that would benefit from wide, unobstructed sidewalks, stiff fines for cars that park on them, longer better protected crosswalks and street redesign that slows down our dangerous drivers and protects mobility by foot, wheelchair or bike.

I suggested the Chief Mobility Officer position (full disclosure: yes, I would be interested in being the humble public servant who takes on this noble role) at the outset of 2026.

But I have yet to hear from our city's progressive mayor. 

Sorry that the Miami Herald chooses to keep this life safety story behind a subscription pay wall -- but you can get the gist from the free video at this link:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/traffic/article316075848.html

 

 

FROM WOOD BLOCKS TO CITY BLOCKS

 A YOUNG PLANNER’S GUIDE TO BUILDING BETTER PLACES

From Wood Blocks to City Blocks by Juan Mullerat is one of the most inclusive community planning books I have read.

The young community activists/budding urban designers address the needs of a person who uses a wheelchair for mobility.

The richly illustrated publication emphasizes the need for wide, unobstructed, well-maintained sidewalks to support mobility and freedom for people of all ages and abilities.

I collaborated with Juan Mullerat at PlusUrbia Design for a half decade.

It’s where I felt like a graduated from writer/marketer of planning – to person who could give keynote addresses on Universal Design and Inclusive Mobility to planners, engineers and architects.

I will take tiny credit for planting the Universal Design seed in Juan’s brilliant mind.

Both of us are Type A people with a clear vision and sometimes a hint of stubbornness about approaches to the built environment.

Our debates on wheelchair access, retrofitting old buildings, reconciling healthy design issues and aspects of Aging In Place – improved both of our professional approaches to urban design as a way of making the world a better place.

Kudos to Juan and the PlusUrbia team for embracing Design for All.

 

AS DEMAND TO AGE IN PLACE SOARS, SENIOR CITIZENS ARE SEEKING MORE WALKABILITY AND DIVERSE HOUSING TYPES

A TREND THAT ALSO SERVES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL AGES

RESOURCES

8 80 Cities https://www.880cities.org

AARP Livability Index https://livabilityindex.aarp.org

AARP Future of Housing https://futureofhousing.aarp.org

American Planning Association https://www.planning.org/resources/equity

Wheel Pad https://www.wheelpad.com

Jeff Speck https://www.jeffspeck.com

New York Academy of Medicine/Age Friendly NYC http://imagenyc.nyam.org

Project for Public Spaces https://www.pps.org

LCM Architects https://www.lcmarchitects.com

AS DEMAND TO AGE IN PLACE SOARS, SENIOR CITIZENS ARE SEEKING MORE WALKABILITY AND DIVERSE HOUSING TYPES

A TREND THAT ALSO SERVES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL AGES

Steven Montgomery is an Accessibility Specialist at Chicago-based LCM Architects, noted while longevity puts pressure on assisted living and skilled care (because people entering these care settings are doing so at a much later age) it seems to suggest that it may provide new opportunities for independent senior housing.”

“As for the built environment, universal design is the best option to facilitate aging in place,” Montgomery said.

“Because it is intentional by design to permit the widest range of users, including accommodation of future functional impairments, often associated with the aging process.”

AS DEMAND TO AGE IN PLACE SOARS, SENIOR CITIZENS ARE SEEKING MORE WALKABILITY AND DIVERSE HOUSING TYPES

A TREND THAT ALSO SERVES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OF ALL AGES

Steven Montgomery is an Accessibility Specialist at Chicago-based LCM Architects, an ADA/accessibility and universal design consulting firm.

He said while there still is a market for active lifestyle retirement communities, the aging Baby Boomer population is “markedly more independent and increasingly more urban than the generation that preceded them.”

“The trend of delayed entry into senior settings is likely to continue as those in retirement hope to extend their independence even longer,” he said.