Equity

Queens Park

An Interview With New York Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, FAICP

Mitchell Silver, commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, former planning director of Raleigh, and former president of the APA, discusses the aspirations and realities of a long, successful career in planning.

September 4, 2019 - James Brasuell

Memphis Riverfront

Ensuring Equity in Memphis Riverfront Development

One of the city’s biggest assets is its riverfront, but equity and inclusion need to be an important part of what development brings to residents and communities.

September 1, 2019 - The Avenue (Brookings)

San Francisco Bike Lane

Scooter 'Redlining' Raises Questions in San Francisco

San Francisco hoped a competitive permitting process would ensure considerations of equity in the operations of scooters in the city. The results haven't lived up to expectations.

August 19, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Minneapolis Park

A Comprehensive Plan for Every Neighborhood Park

Minneapolis wants more equity in its parks spending—and new plans are a key step in the process of delivering more equitable results.

August 15, 2019 - MinnPost

Metra Commuter Rail

Editorial: Cheaper Metra on the South Side Would Ease Chicago's Transit Inequities

The Red Line extension to 130th is still unfunded and a universal Chicago fare card hasn’t materialized, but in the immediate term, the Metra can run more trains and charge lower fares to help get the South Side moving.

August 12, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Suburb

A Frank Discussion About Struggling Suburbs

Many suburban areas outside thriving urban cores are struggling to deliver vital services and maintain property values as job and population growth stagnates. It's time to confront the realities of those communities, according to this article.

August 5, 2019 - Governing

Alaskan Way Viaduct

Congestion Pricing Gains Traction in Seattle

Congestion pricing is a popular subject of conversation in Seattle, even if the idea hasn't yet proven popular with voters. The city is looking for ways to lead on climate change by reducing emissions from transportation.

July 31, 2019 - Crosscut

Congresswoman

How the Green New Deal Could Transform the Built Environment

If it emulated and adapted the scope of its predecessor, the Green New Deal could transform the country in fundamental ways, with builders, planners, and architects playing central roles.

July 27, 2019 - Fast Company

Fancy House

The Argument Against Home Ownership

If you pay a 20% down payment for a home, you’re making a leveraged bet that the home will maintain or grow its value.

July 18, 2019 - City Observatory

TriMet Portland

Portland's TriMet Might Close Stations to Increase Train Speed

Beyond station closures, the Regional Transportation Agency of Oregon is looking to create new bus-only lanes, and possibly a new stretch of subway under Portland’s downtown to increase transit speed.

July 15, 2019 - Portland Tribune

Biketown

Searching for Equitable Road Pricing in Portland

A new task force is being assembled in Portland to implement new road pricing mechanisms that convinces people to ditch their cars for more efficient modes of travel, while also ensuring low-income communities don't bear too much of the burden.

July 11, 2019 - The Oregonian

Job Work

APA Releases its First Guide to Equity

The American Planning Association (APA) makes a clear statement that planners are especially suited to address matters of social equity.

June 7, 2019 - American Planning Association

Pittsburgh Transit

New Ways to Purchase Transit Tickets Hailed as a Win for Equity

Adding cashless and mobile options for purchasing transit tickets shouldn't necessitate the removal of cash payments.

June 3, 2019 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bryant Park

Reimagining the Social Value of Public Spaces

While they're often treated as mere assets to be maintained or abandoned for other uses, public spaces can be an active part of cities' plans for equitable revitalization.

June 2, 2019 - Governing

Oakland Hills California

Potholes Don’t Discriminate, but a Plan to Fix Oakland Streets Reveals Stark Divides in the City

The city has a plan to tackle its pothole problem that it says is equitable. But, some residents say it isn’t fair.

April 8, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Greater Richmond Transit Company

Richmond Bus Redesign Faces Equity Complaints

Residents charge the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) with making service worse for low income residents.

April 2, 2019 - WVTF

Twin Cities

Mapping the Wealth Accumulation of Homeowners

Exclusionary zoning really pays off for people that already had enough money to buy a home. A new mapping project shows exactly where that's true int he area around Minneapolis.

February 9, 2019 - Nick Magrino

Ciclavia

Study: Bike Infrastructure Short Changes Lower-Income Residents, People of Color

A new study by researchers from Harvard University addresses bike equity, which is a powerful tool for increasing access to transportation and reducing inequality in U.S. cities

February 8, 2019 - The Conversation

Los Angeles Harbor Freeway

If Road Pricing Is Inherently Unfair and Regressive...

Road pricing has its faults as a revenue measure, but it needs to be compared to ten elements of the current system of paying for transportation, including hidden subsidies, says Joe Cortright, an urban economist with Portland-based City Observatory.

February 4, 2019 - City Observatory

Expo Line

Equity Considerations Delay Congestion Pricing in Los Angeles

After discussing a staff report on road pricing at their Jan. 24 meeting, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority directors paused to weigh the equity implications of charging motorists to drive on roads.

January 31, 2019 - Curbed Los Angeles

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.