Unlike other measures of value, writes Jeanne Gang, pay is a number. And that should make it easy for architecture firms to address any existing wage gaps.

Citing the architectural profession's lack of diversity as well as its record of gender discrimination, Jeanne Gang asks: "What can we do, immediately, to promote gender equality?"
"It's obvious," she goes on. "We can start by looking to the fundamental issue of respect in the workplace—pay. Unlike other measures of value, pay is a number. It's tangible and objective."
Gang argues that tackling the gender pay gap is a simple matter of arithmetic, and tools already exist to help firms determine if they have a problem and how to address it. In her own firm, she says, "What we discovered was that, despite our ideological commitment to equality [...], a small pay gap nevertheless existed between the women and men in my office. We fixed that with this year's raises and now have no wage gap as an organization."
Although it often takes ideological commitment to address the pay gap in concrete ways, Gang also points to a pragmatic rationale. "In fields dedicated to creative problem-solving, it is critical to bring diverse people and ideas to the table and create a supportive environment in which varied skills and voices can develop."
FULL STORY: Architecture’s great injustice, according to Jeanne Gang

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

LA County Creating Action Plan to Tackle Extreme Heat
Los Angeles County is creating a Heat Action Plan to help communities stay safe during extreme heat, with steps like adding more shade, improving buildings, and supporting the neighborhoods most at risk.

Maryland Plans Quick-Build Complete Streets Projects
The state will use low-cost interventions to improve road safety in five Maryland counties.

Downtown Los Angeles Gears Up for Growth
A new report highlights Downtown L.A.’s ongoing revival through major housing projects, adaptive reuse, hospitality growth, and preparations for global events in the years ahead.
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.
City of Charlotte
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)