Equity Planning Offers Historic Context, Current Perspective

Under the leadership of Norman Krumholz, the city of Cleveland was positioned as a nationwide leader in equity planning. Krumholz, along with John Forester, eventually wrote the book "Making Equity Planning Work."

1 minute read

October 26, 2015, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Jonathan Welle provides an in-depth interview with former Cleveland City Planner Norman Krumholz, who served the city in the late '60s to '70s. According to Welle's introduction of the interview, "[Krumholz] and his office rejected traditional efficiency-first models of city planning, and instead prioritized transportation, housing, and recreational solutions for the city’s poorest residents, an innovative approach known as equity planning."

The interview touches on the re-emergence of equity planning as a prominent issue in planning practice, Krumholz's role in creating the legal framework for Cleveland'sCommunity Development Corporations, where the traditional narratives about Cleveland's comeback fall short of the reality, and more.

Welle also provides this bit of information on Krumholz's work since leaving Cleveland City Hall in the late 1970s. "Krumholz, now 88 years old, has continued to promote equity planning as a faculty member at Cleveland State University and during a stint as President of the American Planning Association."

Thursday, October 8, 2015 in Cleveland Scene

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A group of officials stand in a patch of dirt holding golden shovels and white hardhats.

California city breaks ground on transit connector

The project includes three mobility hubs and a pedestrian bridge.

November 2 - Mass Transit

People walking by a brick school in Cambridge.

After public outcry, Massachusetts city releases housing development tracker

Cambridge’s tracker currently shows 250 housing projects in various stages of development.

November 2 - Smart Cities Dive

A rendering of the park, with green grass and a bass sculpture that looks like several tall arches in a row.

40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park

The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.

November 2 - Block Club Chicago