Diverse, or Not Diverse? That Is the Question…for the Planning Profession (CM | 1.5)

In 2001, Leonardo Vazquez, Founder and Director of The National Consortium for Creative Placemaking, authored and researched the report “Lagging Behind: Ethnic Diversity in the Planning Profession in the APA New York Metro Chapter Area – Findings and Recommendations” to better understand issues related to ethnic diversity and to gather suggestions for increasing diversity in the planning profession. Supplemented with insight and editing from Mitchell Silver, APA President, the report found that the planning profession is diversifying but at a much slower rate than the general population. This webinar will take a look back at this study and discuss to what extent the planning profession truly reflects the ethnic makeup of the communities that we serve.

One of the strategies for repairing this disparity is to actively expose and engage underrepresented populations in planning through various outreach techniques. Charles Brown, Senior Researcher at the Voorhees Transportation Center will lead a discussion on the need to write more people of color into the world of cycling and providing underserved communities with active transportation choices. Karyn Williams, co-founder of Velo City, and Tiffany Robinson, Chair of the APA-NJ’s Ethnic & Cultural Diversity Committee, will discuss their experiences in teaching minority youth in underserved communities about the community planning process and empowering them with the skills needed to discuss urban issues.

Click here to register.