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

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

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.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

Rendering of autonomous cargo train moving across bridge across river in wooded area between Texas and Mexico.

Trump Approves Futuristic Automated Texas-Mexico Cargo Corridor

The project could remove tens of thousands of commercial trucks from roadways.

5 hours ago - FreightWaves

Rendering of white three-story single-stair building in Austin, Texas with staircase in the middle.

Austin's First Single Stair Apartment Building is Officially Underway

Eliminating the requirement for two staircases in multi-story residential buildings lets developers use smaller lots and more flexible designs to create denser housing.

6 hours ago - Building Design & Construction

MARTA bus with Atlanta skyline in background

Atlanta Bus System Redesign Will Nearly Triple Access

MARTA's Next Gen Bus Network will retool over 100 bus routes, expand frequent service.

7 hours ago - Mass Transit