Can Cities "Remix" America?

Carl Anthony suggests that emerging land use policies (such as high speed rail) could threaten to exacerbate trends towards racial segregation, unless there is broader participation from people of color in planning processes.

1 minute read

March 10, 2010, 8:00 AM PST

By Michael Dudley


As a part of a special issue of Yes! Magazine on the racial and ethnic transformation of the United States (called "America: The Remix"), Carl Anthony of Breakthrough Communities explains how planning for climate change can improve opportunities for racial integration:

"[C]limate change presents an opportunity to make over our communities in terms of land use, transportation, and racial and social justice...There is a risk, however, that such policies may resegregate our metropolitan regions in new ways...Land-use changes already underway threaten to transform American metropolitan regions into a pattern typical of developing countries: The rich live in the core cities, while the poor live on the periphery.

But if African Americans and other communities of color participate in the planning process, society could overcome the legacy of racism, and healthy, socially just, multiracial communities could flourish."

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 in Yes! Magazine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Concrete Brutalism building with slanted walls and light visible through an atrium.

What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities

How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.

February 28, 2025 - Justin Hollander

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9, 2025 - Axios

Green electric Volkswagen van against a beach backdrop.

The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan

Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.

March 3, 2025 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

Older man and woman walking down sidewalk landscaped with bougainvillas next to a brick wall on a sunny day.

Study: Walkability Can Help Reduce Dementia Risk

Walkable neighborhoods offer natural opportunities to stay active and engaged with friends and neighbors, increasing residents’ chances of remaining mentally and physically healthy longer.

March 11 - CNU Public Square

Downtown Los Angeles, California skyline at sunset.

Empower LA: The LA2050 Grants Challenge

The 2025 LA2050 Grants Challenge invites organizations to become outreach partners and help mobilize Angelenos to vote on how $1 million in grants will be allocated to address key local issues like homelessness, income inequality, and park access.

March 11 - LA2050

Close-up of wrist with smart watch and other hand reaching for display.

Take a Walk: Why Step Count Is the Most Valuable Fitness Metric

Step count remains the most valuable fitness metric for longevity and well-being, offering a simple yet powerful way to track daily movement, reduce health risks, and promote active lifestyles without reliance on complex data or technology.

March 11 - WebMD