toward a more equitable and inclusive agenda for active
TRANSCRIPT
Toward a More Equitable and Inclusive Agenda for Active Transportation
Striding Toward Healthy Communities:
Indiana Active Transportation Conference
14 November 2012
Anita M. Hairston, PolicyLink
What is Equity?
• Equity means just and fair inclusion.
• An equitable society is one in which all can participate and prosper. The goals of equity must be to create conditions that allow all to reach their full potential. In short, equity creates a path from hope to change.
• Achieving equity requires intentionality, focus, and a commitment to community engagement and participation.
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•Talking About Race and Inequality
•Strategy Development
•Community Engagement
Equity in
Process
•Policy & Advocacy
•Case Examples
•Tools/Resources
Equity in
Action
•Talking About Race and Inequality
•Strategy Development
•Community Engagement
Equity in
Process
•Policy & Advocacy
•Case Examples
•Tools/Resources
Equity in
Action
Talking about Race and Inequality
• Productive conversations about race and inequality are difficult to have
• Focus on building understanding of historic and systemic nature of racial disparities
• Acknowledge that increasing opportunity for all will help strengthen country overall
• Promote importance of connectivity and intentionality
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•Talking About Race and Inequality
•Strategy Development
•Community Engagement
Equity in
Process
•Policy & Advocacy
•Case Examples
•Tools/Resources
Equity in
Action
Demographic Change in the U.S.: 1980
Demographic Change in the U.S.: 1990
Demographic Change in the U.S.: 2000
Demographic Change in the U.S.: 2010
Demographic Change in the U.S.: 2020
Demographic Change in the U.S.: 2030
Demographic Change in the U.S.: 2040
A New Generation Gap?
Changing Demographics: State of Indiana
Changing Demographics: Marion County, IN
Transportation (In)Equity in America
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The percent of a region’s jobs that can be accessed via a one-way, 45-minute transit ride.
The percent of African Americans who live in a household where no one owns a car compared to 14 percent of Hispanics and 5 percent of non-Hispanic whites.
The percent of their total annual income that low- and moderate-income households spend on transportation.
The percent of older people in the United States staying home on a given day because they lack transportation options.
Transportation (In)Equity in Indiana
Pedestrian Fatalities disproportionately affect older Americans and people of color
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•Talking About Race
•Strategy Development
•Community Engagement
Equity in
Process
•Policy & Advocacy
•Case Examples
•Tools/Resources
Equity in
Action
Why is community engagement important?
• Processes have historically excluded and marginalized low-income communities and communities of color
• Knowledge and perspective of low-income communities and communities of color is vital to turning visions for revitalization into reality
• Lack of engagement in the process also sometimes resulted in opposition to results that didn’t reflect community needs
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Principles for Equitable Community Engagement
• Empower residents through meaningful inclusion and partnerships
• Prioritize community knowledge and concerns
• Target resources to support ongoing engagement
• Build capacity for high level engagement
• Facilitate mechanisms that encourage mutual learning and feedback mechanisms
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Community Engagement in Focus: Twin Cities
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Community Engagement in Focus: Building Capacity
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Community Engagement in Focus: Feedback Mechanisms
• http://dcentric.wamu.org/2011/12/how-to-get-low-income-people-bike-sharing/
• http://dcentric.wamu.org/2011/05/how-to-encourage-biking-east-of-the-river-first-dont-tell-everyone/
• http://assets.newamerica.net/node/61725
• http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2011/12/portlands_bike-sharing_proposa.html
• http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/9020/why-is-capital-bikeshare-usage-low-east-of-the-river/
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Towards More Equitable Community Engagement Processes
Inclusive: What communities and interests need to be represented and in what capacity?
Accessible: Will people and organizations from a diversity of backgrounds feel comfortable and engaged?
Transparent: How does public engagement interact and influence decision-making?
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•Talking About Race and Inequality
•Strategy Development
•Community Engagement
Equity in
Process
•Policy & Advocacy
•Case Examples
•Tools/Resources
Equity in
Action
Policy & Advocacy in Focus: Equity Caucus at T4America
• Transportation for America is the largest, most diverse coalition working for a bold new vision for transportation that guarantees our freedom to move however we choose and leads to a stronger economy, greater energy security, cleaner environment, and a healthier America for all of us.
• The Equity Caucus at Transportation for America — formed by the nation’s leading civil rights, community development, racial justice, economic justice, faith-based, health, housing, labor, environmental justice, tribal, public interest, women’s, and transportation organizations — drives transportation policies that advance economic and social equity in America. PolicyLink serves as Chair of the Equity Caucus at Transportation for America.
Policy & Advocacy in Focus: Equity Caucus at T4America
Policy & Advocacy in Focus: Equity Caucus at T4
1. Create affordable transportation options for all people.
2. Ensure fair access to quality jobs, workforce development, and contracting opportunities in the transportation industry.
3. Promote healthy, safe, and inclusive communities.
4. Invest equitably and focus on results.
Policy in Focus: New Starts and Safe Routes to School
• Federal: Guidance from USDOT on New Starts Grant Program
• State: California Safe Routes to School Program
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Changes ahead…Are we prepared?
Tools / Resources for Equity
– Why Place and Race Matter
– America’s Tomorrow
– Advocating for Change Toolkits
– The Transportation Prescription
– Community Engagement Checklist
– Healthy Corridor for All
– Guiding Principles for the Surface Transportation Bill
– EquityBlog
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Anita M. Hairston
PolicyLink
www.policylink.org
Thank you!