The design of the built environment, land use and zoning decisions, and transportation policy can all have major impacts on the economic, physical, and mental health of communities and their access to resources and opportunities. A focus on equity in planning acknowledges the historical injustices that still pervade much public policy in the U.S. and seeks to build urban systems that enhance social equity and meaningful civic engagement.
All Equity Courses
Getting There
Getting There was produced by planners in New Hampshire to inform other planners of the concepts and benefits of universal design. The big idea illustrated by the film is that a built environment designed with the needs of the visually impaired in mind would be universally accessible for every single member of the community.
The Human Scale
The Human Scale juxtaposes the urban experiences of cities across the World to raise questions about the costs of modernity and to argue in favor of city planning that reclaims the public realm for social life. This new approach to planning is measured by walking distances, social interactions, and social inclusion, rather than vehicle speeds and parking spaces.