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

“Our approach is, ‘how do you help people take back their power?’” said Cecilia V. Estolano, who leads the Los Angeles-based Estolano Advisors. 

“How do you help communities to become places where they can actualize all their abilities? Diversity as a perspective makes our profession better.” 

When it comes to sustainability, Estolano emphasized that firms owned by people of color can frame issues of climate justice, pollution, the clean energy transition, and water quality in terms that reflect the direct experience of the communities that have been most impacted.

“We had our neighborhoods bulldozed to build freeways that caused more air pollution that seared our lungs,” she added. 

“We understand what it means to live within the evacuation zone of an oil refinery and can appreciate what clean cars and renewable energy can mean for our kids and their kids.”

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

To generate incremental, sustainable development, Cecilia V. Estolano, who leads the Los Angeles-based Estolano Advisors, said cities often have to overcome cynicism and mistrust in working class communities of color — because those communities have been misled, disappointed and underestimated in past failed planning processes.

“We work closely with communities on changing the things that result from poor planning and poor policy,” she added. 

Estolano’s firm is currently leading the planning process for the future of a state-owned site in LA’s Crenshaw district that’s been shuttered for more than a decade. 

Served by light rail, it could be redeveloped with housing, job training and other community services.

 

 

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

Cecilia V. Estolano has been working on redevelopment and economic development issues for over three decades. 

Her experience leading the Los Angeles-based Estolano Advisors has made her skeptical of strategies that call for luring large firms into a community with big subsidies and tax breaks without asking much in return.

Estolano said most consistent growth comes from home-grown small businesses. 

“This is how we build wealth in this country, particularly when so many folks are locked out of home ownership in high cost cities,” she added.

“We need to invest in infrastructure because it is the foundation for our quality of life and for business growth. 

And we have to work directly with businesses to design workforce training programs tailored to their needs, but only if they can deliver jobs and careers that pay enough to support a family.”

 

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

The resulting COTA plan didn’t simply look at sourcing environmentally friendly materials as part of the transit authority’s resilience effort.

It also charted ways of sustaining economic justice by ensuring small, diverse businesses could become contractors for the transit agency, balancing social impact with economic growth. 

“Our only shareholders are the community,” said Charnelle Hicks, who serves as principal at Philadelphia-based CHPlanning.

“[If the plan lacks an element of diversity, we need] to ask the question:

‘So you’re good with not including this consideration for the community?’” 

 

 

 

 

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

“Whether the community is Amish or Muslim, unique perspectives exist,” said Charnelle Hicks, who serves as principal at Philadelphia-based CHPlanning.

“You must think about [questions like,] ‘What are the things they care about?,’ and ask, ‘What are their priorities?’

At some point, we all will have disabilities. So we must design for accessibility.”

Hicks cited a plan for the Central Ohio Transit Authority that looked at sustainability not just in terms of the environment, but also in terms of how the transit system of greater Columbus, Ohio could be more inclusive.

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

Experts such as Charnelle Hicks note that minority communities help foot the bill for public projects — even though hiring minority-led firms is the exception to rule. And that imbalance leads to unfair outcomes for travelers on the ground.

“In the public sector, taxes are paid by everyone – so you would think the plan would be for everyone, but we all know it doesn’t always turn out that way,” said Hicks, who serves as principal at Philadelphia-based CHPlanning.

If different people with different backgrounds are not considered from the beginning of the planning process, Hicks argues that projects will fail. 

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.

 

 

 

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

The Ending Discrimination in Government Contracting Act introduced this April would enshrine that order into law, among other provisions to “stop federal agencies from violating the Constitution by awarding contracts based on recipients’ race or sex,” co-sponsor Sen. Glen Grothman (R – Wisc.) 

And several states are already undoing longstanding race- and gender-based set asides and requirements, even though the bill has yet to pass.

HAPPY NEW (BLOGGING) YEAR

CHARGING INTO 2026 WITH MORE THAN 1.7 MILLION READERS

My blog started humbly nearly 15 years ago.

I wanted to post about saving William Jennngs Bryan Park – the historic green space that I live on in Miami’s Shenandoah neighborhood – from being paved 100% with concrete for an out of scale regional tennis center.

I went on to post about my global travels.

Then shared my lifetime work on Universal Design.

Stories about urban policy, sustainability, mobility, town planning, architecture and transportation followed.

From being lucky to get 100 readers per week, I have grown to receiving more than 1.7 million unique visitors over the life of this blog.

I have posted nearly 5,000 stories – four out of five illustrated with my own fine art photography.

Here’s to passing the two million readers mark sometime in early 2026.

ARRESTED MOBILITY:

OVERCOMING THE THREAT TO BLACK MOVEMENT

I cannot think of a better way to continue the positive energy of Juneteenth than reading my friend/colleague Charles Brown's book -- Arrested Mobility: Overcoming the Threat to Black Movement. 

It is pithy, well researched, on point, moving, profound, hopeful and filled with practical methods for making mobility more inclusive and cities more productive and livable for all of us.

The Island Press book is less than 125 pages.

Every word skillfully documents structural racism.

The book provides a path to better planning for all.

I am honored to have appeared in Charles' podcast and collaborated with him.

I'm proudly quoted as a disability advocate expert in his book.

I AM HONORED TO BE QUOTED AS A UNIVERSAL DESIGN EXPERT IN MY FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE CHARLES T. BROWN’S ISLAND PRESS BOOK:

ARRESTED MOBILITY – 

OVERCOMING THE THREAT TO BLACK MOVEMENT

Steve Wright, disability rights advocate and professor of Universal Design at the University of Miami School of Architecture, believe that there can be a middle-ground solution (to the issue of conflicts of sidewalk use and safety between those who uses wheelchairs for mobility and cyclists/scooter riders.)

“It’s an interim and if we…make a strong case for infrastructure that’s humane…we can have a very wide sidewalk and we can have a bike land and we can have some sort of marked lane for scooters,” he says.

“The idea that this is weaponized…the idea that a Brown or Black person has maybe had a 50/50 chance of getting a ticket or being called over and read the riot act…that’s not a world that I want to live in.”

I have spent my life as a writer, planner, educator and advocate – working the create a better built environment for marginalized people.

I was proud to be on one of Brown’s first Arrested Mobility podcasts, sharing my expertise in hurdles to mobility experienced by people with disabilities, especially wheelchair users.

I have been gratified to work as a Universal Design subconsultant to Brown’s Equitable Cities -- an urban planning, public policy, and research firm
working at the intersection of transportation, health, and equity.

                                                    Charles Brown

UNIVERSAL DESIGN MYTH BUSTING

HOSTED BY STARKLOFF DISABILITY INSTITUTE'S

NEWLY EXPANDED UNIVESAL DESIGN PROGRAM

Honored to cover two of five myths discussed during the April 10 Universal Design Myths Busted virtual panel presentation hosted by Starkloff Disability Institute's newly expanded UD program.

I was gratified to be part of an expert panel also featuring Tiffany Dill, Meaghan Walls and Gretchen Kingma.Speaking to a large online audience, we broke down common misconceptions about Universal Design and its impact on everyone.

Thanks to the incomparable Rachel Goldmeier and the entire Starkloff team for facilitating a dynamite, 75-slide program.

https://starkloff.org/services/universal-design/

ALL URBAN DESIGN SHOULD BE HUMAN-CENTERED

UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS THE PATH TO ACHIEVING IT

I recount the conversation where the urban designers says, “I rarely see people with disabilities in my town, so I don’t prioritize their inclusion when I’m designing a new town or upgrading an old neighborhood.”

And I counter “with 85 million people with disabilities in the U.S., it’s not because there aren’t many folks with disabilities in your city – it’s because you are designing everything so poorly, so ableist, that they don’t have the equity and inclusion they deserve.

They want to be immersed in your city, adding to its vibrancy, but you keeping planning and building things that exclude them.

You better address that, or the city will replace you with somebody who can design for all.”

Remember, anything public that is not equally accessible to all is a failure of the basic tenants of civil rights and equal treatment for all.

One of my Universal Design students said it best when he reviewed a town plan that isolated people with disabilities and stripped them of the basic dignity of inclusive mobility.

He observed: “If you city doesn’t work for everyone, it works for no one.”

 

ALL URBAN DESIGN SHOULD BE HUMAN-CENTERED

UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS THE PATH TO ACHIEVING IT

Government – be it a town, city, county, regional, state or federal agency – MUST take the lead on hiring people with disabilities as planners, architects, engineers and designers that create an inclusive built environment. 

Government often was a leader in hiring people of color and women and giving them the tools to take on leadership roles.

It needs to do the same with people with disabilities. 

Beyond that, every city advisory board should be required to a person with a disability on it.

How can the 13 person board that oversees the spending of a $250 million capital improvements bond ensure that main entrances will be accessible, pools will have lifts, sidewalks will be built extra wide and libraries will have access to all floors – if there is not one person with a disability among the other dozen?

How can an 11 member parks advisory board design for inclusion if no person with a disability serves on it?

How can a 9-person planning board create a better built environment for all if it doesn’t have a person who has lived with a disability and is intensely aware of barriers? 

When I speak to standing room only audiences at major conferences for urban designers, planners and others – I talk about the chicken and egg effect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALL URBAN DESIGN SHOULD BE HUMAN-CENTERED

UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS THE PATH TO ACHIEVING IT

The template for hiring people with disabilities for urban design jobs is there.

We just need to get guidance counselors, design school deans and recruiters for firms in the profession – to take the extra step to welcome and ramp up the hiring of this element of diversity. 

We have seen how a diverse workforce has greatly contributed to innovative and lasting design.

It’s time for people with disabilities to have those opportunities.

While on the subject, while they are rare – because of structural ableism – there are some urban designers, architects and engineers with physical disabilities.

Do not ask them to review something for accessibility without paying their going rate. That is out of bounds.

Do you think the largest Hispanic-owned Madison Avenue advertising firm helps Fortune 500 companies reach the Spanish speaking market “just for the cause” of raising Hispanic awareness, or do you think they charge a fabulous rate for their top of class experience, expertise and insight?

They charge a small fortune, as well they should.

Don’t ask people with disabilities to do expert work “just for the cause” of more inclusion.

 

 

 

ALL URBAN DESIGN SHOULD BE HUMAN-CENTERED

UNIVERSAL DESIGN IS THE PATH TO ACHIEVING IT

The key to people with disabilities working at planning and architecture firms is aggressive recruiting. 

Universities that teach urban design, architecture and engineering must be reaching out to high schools to recruit students with disabilities. 

Many may think you have to climb a telephone pole or ease down to a sewer line to perform the work.

Truth is, the vast majority of work is done on a computer.

And all but the most remote of field visits can be done by wheelchair.

Graduate design programs should aggressively recruiting nontraditional students and midcareer professionals with disabilities.

Firms should very aggressively recruit, train, promote and retain people with physical and other disabilities.

I’m tired of hearing “we can’t find anybody than can do the job.”

Or “if we hired them, their role would be very limited and they could not be a project manager.”

I’m old enough to have heard that about both women and people of color in the urban design/architecture/engineering fields.

There still is not full parity, but aggressive recruiting and retention at every level has boosted numbers tremendously.

Some of those folks who couldn’t get an internship are now the owners of award-winning, influential firms owned by women and people of color.