Environmental and Social Justice, EDI

Public Interest

in planning, is synonymous with the welfare or wellbeing of the general public

Luigi Tapparelli D’azeglio

italian scholar coined the term social justice, wrote of problems of working classes from the industrial revolution (civilta cattolica)

sociality and subsidiarity, wherein society is not monolithic group of individuals, but various levels of sub-societies in which individuals have rights and duties.

all levels of society should cooperate rationally and not resort ro competition and conflict

Jane Addams (1889)

founded Hull House, a settlement house, in chicago in 1889

settlements were a response to problems created by urbanization and industrialization

attracted educated middle-class to live in poor urban neighborhoods to provide social and educational services

Jacob Riis (1849-1914)

photojournalist exposing poor conditions, thus provided stimulus to housing reform

published How the Other Half Lives (1890)

Betty Friedan (1962)

the feminine mystique captured frustration/despair of a generation of college-educated housewives who felt trapped, unfulfilled

called women to seek fulfillment in work outside the home

sparked 2nd wave of the feminist movement

American Indian Movement

indian reorganization act, aka the Wheeler-Howard Act (1934)

enacted to conserve and develop indian lands and resourced

extend the right to form businesses and other organizations

certain rights of home rule

provided for vocational education

John Rawls (1970s)

american philosopher who authored A Theory of Justice aimed to resolve competing claims of freedom and equality

tried to demonstrate that freedom and equality could be integrated and unified into justice as fairness

Colonias

rural unincorporated communities within 150 miles of the US-mexico border lacking adequate water, sewer, or decent housing

planners should know how to apply social justice principles for this group and other disenfranchised groups

Environmental Justice

philosophy combining environmental awareness with racial and ethnic awareness so that industrial, governmental, and commercial practices do not unfairly burden poc and the economically disadvantaged

Civil Rights Act Title VI (1964)

outlaws discrimination against racial, ethnic, national/religious minorities, and women

ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, workplace, and public facilities

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (1969)

advocates for open and public decision-making processes in environmental decisions. examining consequences to more than the natural environment

may include environmental analysis, which include exclusion, EA, and EIS

Warren County North Carolina (1982-2004)

robert d. bullard is a planner, author, and professor, and the “father of environmental justice”

a waste hauler illegally dumped 30,000 gal of waste oil along NC roadways in 1978 >

USEPA designated roadsides as superfund site ot protect public health >

soil was recovered and deposited at a landfill in a predominantly black warren county >

following 20 year challenge, state and federal gov spent $$$ to detoxify/neutralize contaminated soil at landfill >

warren county became a symbol of env justice movement

Emergency Planning/Right-To-Know Federal Act (1986)

industries annually report amount/type of toxic substances and waste disclosed to local community citizens to “deal safely and effectively” with substances

there is an ongoing local forum governed by each state’s emergency response commission

facilitates cooperation among industry, citizens, environmental, and other public interest orgs and govs

Executive Order 12898 (1994)

attention to environmental and human health effects to federal actions on minority and low-income populations to achieve env protection

directs federal agencies to identify and address high and adverse human health or env effects of actions on minority and low-income pops

Diversity

an inclusive concept that goes beyond race and ethnicity to include class, gender, age, sexuality, ability, educational attainment, spiritual beliefs, creed, culture, tribal affiliation, nationality, immigration status, political beliefs, and veteran status.

Inclusion

An environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully; are valued for their distinctive skills, experiences, and perspectives; have equal access to resources and opportunities; and can contribute fully to the organization’s success.

Equity

applying an equity lens — for just and fair inclusion into a society in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential — to everything planners do

Equity Planning

requires that government institutions give priority attention to the goal of promoting a wider range of choices for cleveland residents who have few, if any, choices.

all groups have access to the same resources and opportunities to improve the quality of their lives

most commonly associated with Norm Krumholtz who in 1969 became the first black major of a major american city, cleveland

planners as advocates and brokers for the poor

strong emphasis on development of political support

stress on results and “doable” efforts

Advocacy Planning

concern for disadvantaged communities

planners as advocates on behalf of poor and minorities

Empowerment/Community-Based Planning

planners facilitate community action

importance of local knowledge to balance expertise

planning as iterative process