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As the Cleveland City Planner during the 1960s, Professor Norman Krumholz confronted the problems of poverty, racism, widespread unemployment, neighborhood decline, and high crime rates. To address these problems, Krumholz introduced an innovative approach to city planning, coined \u201cequity planning\u201d.<\/p>\n
He moved away from traditional corporate-focused urban renewal projects to prioritizing the needs of residents, such as affordable housing, public transportation, and quality urban education. \u201cIt is not enough for cities to be beautiful and efficient,\u201d he wrote. \u201cThey could, and should, be just and fair as well, and planners should work toward human betterment.\u201d<\/p>\n
We can define the term equity planning<\/strong> as an approach to city planning that focuses on expanding choices and opportunities for residents who have the fewest choices. In practice, this means considering how development projects affect lower-income and disadvantaged residents and using planning tools, information, and advocacy to expand their opportunities. This approach can influence decisions about housing, transportation, economic development, and public investment.<\/p>\n For example, imagine a transit agency is deciding where to locate a new bus route. A traditional planning approach might focus primarily on where the route would attract the most riders or operate most efficiently. An equity planning approach would also ask which neighborhoods have the fewest transportation options and whether the new route could expand access to opportunities for those residents (e.g., jobs, schools, and health care).<\/p>\n Professor Krumholz\u2019s emphasis on equity planning resonated with city planners across the country. He influenced a generation of public service leaders. He went on to teach for 40 years at Levin College of Urban Affairs at CSU. His influence is particularly evident in his prot\u00e9g\u00e9, Chris Ronayne<\/a>, who currently serves as County Executive of Cuyahoga County. Ronayne recalls Krumholz\u2019s advice: \u201cGet out of the cube and apply yourself because a planner\u2019s place isn\u2019t at a desk. It\u2019s in the community.\u201d Krumholz\u2019s legacy continues through his students and the foundational principles he established in Cleveland.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to learn more about the planning professor, contact your professor or Dr. Beth Nagy. Also, check out the school\u2019s BA in community planning and Master of Urban Planning and Development program.<\/p>\n