Chicago DOT Strategic Plan Update Centers Mobility Justice

The city, which has been slow to implement complete streets initiatives during the pandemic, promises closer collaboration with community groups to advance equity in transportation.

2 minute read

January 18, 2021, 6:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Chicago Bike 2015 Plan

City of Chicago / Bike 2015 Plan

In a year when many cities used the pandemic as an opportunity to rethink public space and implement ambitious initiatives to improve walking and biking infrastructure, writes Courtney Courtney Cobbs, Chicago's progress on similar projects has been disappointingly slow. However, Cobbs hopes that a renewed focus on mobility justice and equity in the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT)'s Complete Streets division shows promise for the future of transportation equity in the city.

Although the agency suspended their quarterly bicycle and pedestrian advisory council meetings last year, a notice sent out in September announced CDOT's plans for a Transportation Equity Network to "develop closer relationships with communities and long-term strategies for mobility justice." To make walking and biking safe and accessible for Chicago's most vulnerable communities, Cobbs argues, the agency has to "make a concerted effort to increase the representation of women, gender-nonconforming individuals, Black and Brown folks, people with disabilities, and other marginalized people whose mobility needs have not been centered in previous transportation decisions" as well as decrease the power that car owners and individual aldermen have over the city's land use and transportation decisions. "Part of ensuring [transportation equity] means making sure the community engagement process centers those who have been missing from the decision-making process."

The Transportation Equity Network is one of two significant equity plans to focus on transportation in recent months. The city also released an Equitable Transit-Oriented Development policy plan in September 2020.

Wednesday, January 6, 2021 in Streetsblog Chicago

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

5 hours ago - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

6 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

7 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA