8.1 Environmental justice and equitable development

Environmental justice aims to ensure fair treatment and involvement of all people in environmental policies, regardless of race or income. It addresses the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by disadvantaged communities, particularly low-income areas and communities of color.

Equitable development strategies seek to share the benefits of urban growth fairly among all community members. These approaches prioritize community empowerment, affordable housing, transportation access, and environmental justice. Planners play a key role in promoting these goals through community engagement and policy advocacy.

Definition of environmental justice

• Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies
• It aims to ensure that no group of people bears a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental, and commercial operations or policies
• Environmental justice principles recognize that historically disadvantaged communities, particularly low-income and communities of color, have been disproportionately burdened by environmental hazards (toxic waste sites, polluting industries) and have had limited access to environmental benefits (green spaces, clean air and water)

Principles of environmental justice

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• The right to a safe, healthy, and sustainable environment for all
• The right to participate in decision-making processes that affect one's environment
• The equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens across all communities
• The recognition of the unique cultural, historical, and economic contexts of different communities
• The need for inclusive and collaborative problem-solving approaches that engage affected communities as equal partners

History of environmental justice movement

• The environmental justice movement emerged in the United States in the 1980s, as communities of color and low-income communities began to organize against the disproportionate siting of hazardous waste facilities and polluting industries in their neighborhoods
• Key moments in the movement's history include the 1982 protests against a PCB landfill in Warren County, North Carolina, and the 1991 First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, which developed the 17 Principles of Environmental Justice
• The movement has since grown to encompass a broad range of issues, from air and water pollution to access to green space and healthy food, and has influenced environmental policy at the local, state, and federal levels

Environmental injustices in urban areas

• Urban areas, particularly low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, often face disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards and limited access to environmental benefits
• These injustices are rooted in historical patterns of racial segregation, discriminatory zoning and land use policies, and unequal political power and representation
• Addressing environmental injustices in urban areas requires a multi-faceted approach that includes community empowerment, policy reforms, and targeted investments in disadvantaged communities

Disproportionate exposure to pollution

• Low-income communities and communities of color are often located near industrial facilities, highways, and other sources of air, water, and soil pollution
• Exposure to pollutants such as particulate matter, lead, and toxic chemicals can lead to a range of health problems, including asthma, cancer, and developmental delays
• Studies have shown that race is often a stronger predictor of exposure to environmental hazards than income, highlighting the role of systemic racism in shaping environmental inequities

Lack of access to green spaces

• Access to parks, gardens, and other green spaces is often limited in low-income urban neighborhoods, contributing to health disparities and reduced quality of life
• Green spaces provide a range of benefits, including opportunities for physical activity, stress reduction, and social interaction
• Efforts to expand access to green space in underserved communities can help promote health equity and environmental justice

Health disparities in low-income communities

• Environmental injustices contribute to significant health disparities between low-income communities and more affluent areas
• Residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods often have higher rates of chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as reduced life expectancy
• Addressing environmental injustices through targeted interventions and policy reforms can help reduce health disparities and promote health equity

Equitable development strategies

• Equitable development seeks to ensure that the benefits of urban development are shared fairly among all community members, particularly those who have been historically disadvantaged
• It involves a range of strategies that prioritize community empowerment, affordable housing, access to transportation, and environmental justice
• Planners can play a key role in promoting equitable development by engaging communities in decision-making processes, advocating for policy reforms, and directing resources to underserved areas

Community-driven planning processes

• Meaningful community engagement is essential for ensuring that development projects reflect the needs and priorities of local residents
• Community-driven planning processes involve residents, community organizations, and other stakeholders in all stages of project planning and implementation
• Strategies such as participatory budgeting, community visioning exercises, and community benefits agreements can help ensure that development projects are responsive to community needs

Affordable housing near transit

• Access to affordable housing near public transit is critical for promoting equitable access to economic opportunities and reducing transportation costs for low-income households
• Transit-oriented development (TOD) can help create mixed-income communities with a range of housing options and amenities
• Policies such as inclusionary zoning, density bonuses, and land banking can help incentivize the development of affordable housing near transit hubs

Green infrastructure investments in underserved areas

• Investing in green infrastructure, such as parks, community gardens, and green roofs, can help address environmental injustices and promote health equity in underserved communities
• Green infrastructure provides a range of benefits, including stormwater management, urban heat island mitigation, and improved air quality
• Prioritizing green infrastructure investments in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color can help reduce disparities in access to environmental benefits

Workforce development programs

• Workforce development programs can help connect residents of disadvantaged communities with job opportunities in growing industries, such as renewable energy and green construction
• These programs can provide training, job placement services, and support for small businesses and entrepreneurs
• Integrating workforce development into equitable development strategies can help ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared more broadly across communities

Policy tools for environmental justice

• Achieving environmental justice requires a range of policy tools that can help reduce disparities in exposure to environmental hazards and promote equitable access to environmental benefits
• These tools can be implemented at the local, state, and federal levels, and may involve a combination of regulatory approaches, incentives, and targeted investments
• Effective policy tools for environmental justice often involve collaboration between government agencies, community organizations, and private sector partners

Zoning regulations for environmental protection

• Zoning regulations can be used to restrict the siting of polluting industries and other environmental hazards in residential areas, particularly in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color
• Overlay zones, performance standards, and conditional use permits are examples of zoning tools that can help protect communities from disproportionate environmental burdens
• Inclusionary zoning policies can also help promote mixed-income communities and reduce residential segregation, which can contribute to environmental injustices

Cumulative impact assessments

• Cumulative impact assessments (CIAs) are tools for evaluating the combined effects of multiple environmental stressors on a particular community or population
• CIAs can help identify areas that are disproportionately burdened by environmental hazards and inform targeted interventions to reduce disparities
• Some states, such as California, have adopted CIAs as part of their environmental review processes to ensure that the impacts of proposed projects on disadvantaged communities are fully considered

Targeted funding for disadvantaged communities

• Targeted funding programs can help direct resources to communities that have been historically underserved and overburdened by environmental hazards
• Examples include the EPA's Environmental Justice Small Grants Program, which provides funding for community-based organizations to address local environmental and public health issues
• State and local governments can also establish targeted funding programs to support green infrastructure, affordable housing, and other equitable development initiatives in disadvantaged communities

Community benefits agreements

• Community benefits agreements (CBAs) are legally binding contracts between developers and community organizations that specify the benefits that a development project will provide to the local community
• CBAs can include provisions related to affordable housing, local hiring, environmental mitigation, and community amenities (parks, community centers)
• CBAs can help ensure that development projects in low-income communities and communities of color provide tangible benefits to local residents and address long-standing inequities

Case studies of successful initiatives

• Examining case studies of successful environmental justice and equitable development initiatives can provide valuable insights into effective strategies and best practices
• Successful initiatives often involve a combination of community empowerment, multi-sector partnerships, and innovative policy tools
• Planners can learn from these examples and adapt relevant strategies to their own local contexts

Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative in Boston

• The Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI) is a community-based organization that has led a comprehensive revitalization effort in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston since the 1980s
• DSNI's efforts have included community land trusts to preserve affordable housing, youth leadership development programs, and the transformation of vacant lots into community gardens and parks
• The initiative has been successful in preventing displacement, improving environmental quality, and promoting equitable development in a historically disadvantaged neighborhood

Greening of South Los Angeles

• The Greening of South Los Angeles is a multi-faceted initiative led by the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust to create green spaces and promote environmental justice in underserved communities
• The initiative has involved the creation of community gardens, pocket parks, and green alleys in neighborhoods with limited access to green space
• The Greening of South Los Angeles has also included job training programs in green industries and partnerships with schools and community organizations to promote environmental education and stewardship

Hunts Point Riverside Park in New York City

• Hunts Point Riverside Park is a 1.4-acre waterfront park in the South Bronx neighborhood of New York City, an area that has long been burdened by environmental injustices and limited access to green space
• The park was developed through a collaborative process that involved community members, government agencies, and non-profit organizations
• The park features a fishing pier, kayak launch, and other recreational amenities, and has become a model for community-driven green space development in underserved urban neighborhoods

Challenges and barriers to implementation

• Despite growing recognition of the importance of environmental justice and equitable development, significant challenges and barriers to implementation remain
• These challenges can include political opposition, limited funding and capacity, and deeply entrenched patterns of inequality and discrimination
• Overcoming these barriers requires sustained advocacy, coalition-building, and a commitment to long-term systems change

Political opposition to redistributive policies

• Policies that seek to redistribute resources and benefits to disadvantaged communities often face political opposition from entrenched interests and those who benefit from the status quo
• This opposition can take the form of lobbying efforts, legal challenges, and public campaigns to discredit or undermine environmental justice and equitable development initiatives
• Building broad-based coalitions and mobilizing grassroots support can help counter political opposition and build momentum for policy change

Limited funding for community-based organizations

• Community-based organizations play a critical role in advocating for environmental justice and equitable development, but often face significant resource constraints
• Limited funding can make it difficult for these organizations to sustain their efforts over time, build capacity, and effectively engage in policy advocacy and community organizing
• Strategies for overcoming this barrier can include diversifying funding sources, building partnerships with larger institutions, and advocating for increased public funding for community-based initiatives

Gentrification and displacement risks

• Efforts to improve environmental quality and promote equitable development in disadvantaged communities can sometimes have unintended consequences, such as gentrification and displacement of long-time residents
• As neighborhoods become more desirable, rising property values and rents can make it difficult for low-income households to remain in place
• Strategies for mitigating displacement risks can include community land trusts, rent stabilization policies, and programs to support homeownership and small business retention

Role of planners in promoting equity

• Urban planners have a critical role to play in promoting environmental justice and equitable development in cities and regions
• This role involves a range of strategies, from inclusive public engagement and collaborative partnerships to policy advocacy and the integration of equity goals into plans and projects
• By centering equity in their work, planners can help create more just and sustainable communities that benefit all residents

Inclusive public engagement strategies

• Meaningful public engagement is essential for ensuring that planning processes are responsive to the needs and priorities of diverse communities
• Planners can use a range of strategies to promote inclusive engagement, such as partnering with community-based organizations, holding meetings at accessible times and locations, and providing translation and childcare services
• Participatory planning methods, such as community mapping and visioning exercises, can help build trust and ensure that community voices are heard and valued

Collaboration with community partners

• Effective planning for environmental justice and equitable development requires collaboration with a range of community partners, including residents, community-based organizations, and advocacy groups
• Planners can help facilitate these partnerships by building relationships, sharing information and resources, and creating opportunities for joint problem-solving
• Collaborative partnerships can help ensure that planning initiatives are grounded in community knowledge and priorities, and can help build capacity for long-term community empowerment

Advocacy for policy reforms

• Planners can use their expertise and influence to advocate for policy reforms that promote environmental justice and equitable development
• This can involve working with elected officials and other decision-makers to develop and implement policies related to zoning, land use, transportation, and environmental protection
• Planners can also help build public support for policy reforms by communicating the benefits of equitable development and mobilizing grassroots advocacy efforts

Integration of equity goals in plans and projects

• Integrating equity goals and considerations into all aspects of planning practice is essential for promoting environmental justice and equitable development
• This can involve conducting equity impact assessments for proposed plans and projects, prioritizing investments in underserved communities, and developing metrics and indicators to track progress toward equity goals
• By making equity a central focus of their work, planners can help ensure that the benefits of urban development are shared more fairly and that historically disadvantaged communities are empowered to shape their own futures