Equity Planning for the 21st Century

The 20th century roots of equity planning, born in Cleveland, are evolving to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Portland provides a case study of that evolution.

1 minute read

October 24, 2019, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Cleveland

Tim Hutchison / Shutterstock

Benjamin Schneider writes to further the legacy of Norman Krumholz in centering considerations of equity in urban planning decisions.

A many Planetizen readers know, Krumholz brought an equity agenda to Cleveland while serving as director of planning for Cleveland, starting in 1969. "This philosophy, which came to be known as 'equity planning,' represented a major shift in a profession that had long been focused on technical problems like zoning and road design, as well as finding new ways to stimulate economic growth," writes Schneider.

Today's urban planning milieu requires a re-evaluation of the tools and outcomes of equity planning, according to Schneider. An evaluation of the successes and shortcomings of Krumholz's tenure follows, as well as an introduction to the idea of Portland, Oregon as a contemporary case study of equity planning, as laid out by Lisa K. Bates, a professor of urban planning at Portland State University.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019 in Shareable

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

Get top-rated, practical training

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.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Hot air balloons rise over Downtown Boise with the State Capitol building visible amidst the high rises.

The Five Most-Changed American Cities

A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

April 23, 2025 - GoodMigrations

People biking along beach path with moored ship in San Diego, California.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan

The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

52 seconds ago - SD News

Sleeping in Public

Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts

Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.

1 hour ago - KSL

Conductor walks down platform next to Amtrak train at station in San Jose, California.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement

An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.

2 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.