09/26/2024
Tonight, Justice and Sustainability Associate Alexis Robinson spoke on a panel discussing the topic of "Whose City Is This?" a continuation of the NCPC’s 100th-anniversary celebrating a century of national planning.
Urban planning continues to play a vital role in shaping our cities, influencing both their physical and social landscapes. As such, it is essential to acknowledge that urban planning has historically contributed to environmental racism and social inequalities.
Policies such as the FHA’s 1930s redlining labeled Black neighborhoods as “hazardous,” limiting residents’ access to mortgages and credit. Additionally, mid-20th century urban renewal projects often displaced Black communities to make way for commercial developments. Environmental racism persists today as zoning laws and land-use policies disproportionately expose Black communities to pollution and other hazards. (Rothstein, 2017)
To address the historical injustices and ongoing disparities faced by black communities, urban planners must adopt a more nuanced and inclusive approach that prioritizes consensus building, community engagement, equity, and social justice.
Source: Rothstein, R. (2017). The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America. Liveright Publishing.
