New Healthy Regions Planning Exchange Targets Health Inequities

A new Regional Plan Association initiative is assessing potential solutions to historic inequities in planning policy.

1 minute read

March 2, 2021, 6:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Piedmont Park Atlanta

ciapix / Shutterstock

The Regional Plan Association announced the second phase of its Healthy Regions Planning Exchange program in a press release on February 18. The initiative "creates larger opportunities for communities to live full and healthy lives" through a comprehensive analysis of how planning policies have shaped health inequities in U.S. cities and programs that support local organizations in deepening their equity work. The second phase will "elevate best practices for addressing racial and health equity" and support participants in sharing resources and developing programs that "address structural inequities in transportation, housing, land use, and the environment."

The RPA "convened this national network of planners, practitioners, advocates, and community-based representatives" over the last two years to "develop solutions for reversing the impacts and influence of racism on urban planning and on cities across the US." Member organizations can learn from the experiences of other cities and explore "the intersections between the planning realms of transportation, the environment, and housing with the social determinants of health, climate justice, economy, health, trauma in the built environment and so much more." The regional partnerships started in the first phase will "effective responses to COVID-19 while beginning to address the roots of racial inequities which affect community health."

Thursday, February 18, 2021 in Regional Plan Association

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

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today