Planners' Equity Resources

Urban planners shape the plans and decisions that affect every aspect of the built environment and the people that live there.

On June 5, 2020 the APA-IL published a statement in regards to the inequities in our society and how planners have a responsibility to work towards correcting that. You probably saw lots of emails about this topic from companies and organizations, but APA-IL wants to and is doing more than that. We understand the real progress is made after a statement is made or a Plan is adopted. Statements and Plans are good and necessary but meaningful action must be made in our daily work and lives in order to make progress. That is why we want to support our members by providing the following resources and opportunities.

We want to hear from you! Please help us provide meaningful resources and tools to you by emailing us, connecting with us on social media, and through our various events to make sure that we are supporting you in your work and daily lives.

Planners’ Anti-Racism & Equity Toolbox

Urban planners shape the plans and decisions that affect every aspect of the built environment and the people that live there. While we are generally not the decision makers; we serve as advocates and experts in the built environment and land use policy, which can have a profound impact on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Many times we are expected to remain neutral, but there are ways we can shape the narrative to guide decision makers to adopt equitable plans and policies. The APA-IL Chapter has compiled a comprehensive list of resources that address two things: 1) strategies for planners to enact change from the ground up, and 2) how a planner can be more educated in racial justice to be better allies in the community.

This is a dynamic document. APA-IL volunteers are continuously updating this document as new tools and resources are available. We welcome additions and comments.

What you can do as a Planner

Project Equity Checklist

For every project and policy recommendation, be able to provide answers to the questions below. Responses can be included in a staff report or project summary, to provide guidance to local decision makers.

  1. How does this project address equity? Consider the following:
    a. Access to goods/services
    b. Housing opportunities
    c. Safety
    d. Environmental justice
  1. Who does this project benefit? Who does it harm?
  2. How does this project impact the Black community?
  3. How does this project impact People of Color in the community?
  4. How does this project impact low-income members of the community?

Be an APA-IL speaker

APA-IL is dedicated to creating events that are diverse and inclusive both in subject matter and participation. Now, more than ever, it is important that we highlight and uplift unique perspectives in urban planning from those who may not usually have the opportunity.

APA-IL is collecting the information on diverse urban professionals interested in being speakers/panelists at future events. Our desire is to make space for those who are often overlooked. In order for our chapter to truly embody Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles, we humbly ask for your help in identifying yourself or others so that we can take action towards becoming a more inclusive organization that speaks to the needs of our profession. Our focus is specifically related to identifying urban professionals from underrepresented populations that include, but are not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, religious background, ability, etc., throughout the state of Illinois.

If you are interested, please emailing us.

Training for Public Officials & Staff

Ensure your community requires equity and inclusion training for staff and all elected and appointed officials (boards, commissions, advisory groups). While planners provide information and can help guide discussion, policies are ultimately determined by a selected group of decision makers. The training should include how to recognize and combat unconscious bias, which includes “in-person bias” or the tendency of elected officials to favor input from people that have the ability to show up at meetings. For many communities, the people most impacted by city policies are generally low-income and people of color who are least likely to show up at public meetings due to work and family obligations, transportation and communication barriers, and unfamiliarity with the system of traditional local government public meetings.

Resources:

Transportation: Complete Streets

The divide between mode split and safety highlights a pattern that is too common and disheartening: traffic violence affects people of color at levels higher than their white contemporaries, and is a function of which transportation modes are used. While there are exceptions for affluence, choice, and transit-rich central business districts, walking and bicycling rates are higher in communities of color, as is the traffic violence that affects them. Promoting complete streets isn't just a trendy, healthy, sustainable thing to do, it is our duty as planners to ensure transportation investments serve the needs of all users, and that we correct the wrongs of previous decisions that disproportionately harm vulnerable populations.

Resources:

Development: Transit Oriented Development

New Transit Oriented Developments (TOD) bring with them the promise of access: getting to the store, work, and parks in walking distance or by hopping on transit. While this promise may hold true, studies show many new (and old) TOD neighborhoods are subject to rising property values and displacement of people of color. Equity is needed in all TOD planning.

Resources:

Housing

Resources:

Municipal Budgeting

Every municipality spends a significant amount of staff, elected, and appointed official time to develop its annual budget. Ensure that funds are distributed equitably, so more funds are committed to areas and neighborhoods with the greatest needs. Explain to decision makers how good planning is a cost-effective  way to improve public health and safety.

Resources:

General Policy

Make diversity, inclusion, and equity an adopted city/village policy. Welcome the lived expertise of the diverse members of your community rather than relying solely on those with credentials.

Resources:

  • Policy Link. A national research and action institute advancing racial and economic equity. Great tools and case studies.
  • SPARCC (Strong, Prosperous, and Resilient Communities Challenge)- The initiative’s long-term goal is to change the way metropolitan regions grow, invest, and build through integrated, cross-sector approaches that benefit low-income people and communities of color. This includes a good summary of the initiatives happening in their 6 selected metro areas across the country and links to lots of other resources.

Self-Education: What you need to know about racial justice, race relations, and how to be an ally to Black and minority communities

Planning, Equity, and Social Justice

Anti-Racism Resource Guides

The Planner’s Equity Toolbox should not be your only guide to racial justice. Other similar resources have been compiled by other individuals and groups. These anti-racism resource guides include more articles, videos, podcasts, books, and organization recommendations to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen anti-racism work across a variety of topic areas.

Book Recommendations

Talking To Kids About Race

More Reading