An official website of the OBJECTIVE: Equity
This land use objective states:
Remedy past and present discriminatory land use practices.
About this objective
Our region has a history of discriminatory planning and policy decisions that have contributed to persistent racial inequities and disparities.
Discriminatory practices such as redlining, racially restrictive covenants, and disproportionate investment have left deep and lasting impacts on Black, American Indian, and other communities of color throughout the region. These systemic barriers have led to significant disparities in income and homeownership rates, hindering opportunities for generational wealth-building and exacerbating the wealth gap between white residents and communities of color. Prejudicial practices have restricted job access and educational opportunities, and constrained transportation options, further entrenching inequities across the region.
These practices have resulted in disproportionate exposure to environmental injustices, contributing to health disparities and limiting access to green spaces, which are essential for community well-being. A lack of investment in public space and amenities for gathering and the introduction of physical barriers, such as freeways that divide neighborhoods, has undermined opportunities for cultural and community connections.
Although the government has legally prohibited overtly discriminatory planning and regulatory practices, these have been replaced by seemingly race-neutral land use policies that reinforce barriers between white people and Black, American Indian, and people of color. As we move forward, it is imperative to not only acknowledge the historical faults embedded in our land use policies but also to actively engage in collaboration with communities that have borne the brunt of discriminatory decisions to work towards an equitable region.
