2020 has brought an increase in activism as the public reached its final tipping point from the racial and social injustices happening across the nation. With the inexcusable deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, and others caused by police brutality, individuals across industries have taken note and voiced their concerns. With forms of allyship sweeping the nation, architects, academics, and urban planners have expressed their opinions and action plans. Although dismantling racial inequalities and systemic racism within the profession will not happen overnight, groups put their experience and training into action to respond to these injustices.
In early August, Brentin Mock of CityLab in Pittsburgh reported on the responses of "several hundred" urban planners as they call for the American Planning Association to support defunding the police. Housing/food planner Sara Draper-Zievet, who is one of the eight co-authors of the letter, spoke with Mock on their steps to address the APA. "The planning organization's failure to substantially address systemic racism is one reason why neither she nor the other seven abolition planners who co-authored the letter are actual APA members," explained Mock.
Below is an excerpt from the letter written to the APA dated July 24th. 650 urban planners and counting have signed the letter.
Historically, planners have been responsible for manifestations of institutional racism including redlining and the construction of freeways and toxic industrial development in poor and Black and Brown neighborhoods, among many others.
These actions have had reverberating effects, including creating the preconditions for over-policing of communities of color and disinvestment in community health and safety (just as they created the conditions for safety, wellness, prosperity, and limited policing in predominantly white suburbs).
Opportunities for movements and initiatives to end racial inequality and provide progressive solutions within architecture and urban planning have increased. It appears that larger institutions like the APA may be listening, but its members and community want action. Draper-Zievet expressed to Mock, "we perceived this moment as an opportunity to pursue a conversation we've been needing to have for a long time."
3 Comments
The AIA and APA have failed to reflect underlying social demographics. They should first put their house in order before engaging in larger social issues. Even simple things like expanding their reach into all social groups and income levels when it comes to college admissions and licensing; they have been unable to achieve.Making statements is cheap.
The entire system is a mess. APA issues weak statements while urban planners pressure them (and each other?) to get in line and peddle some socialist propaganda. As if the APA's opinion about policing matters. How about come up with some concrete proposals to solve homelessness? We need to get away from these exploitative activists trying to advance themselves within worthless organizations.
Seems like throwing a tantrum has become the preferred method for advancement in universities, bureaucracies, and even corporations. This will completely destroy these institutions as nobody will trust or care for their supposed expertise.
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