Policy to Practice: Equity as a Verb

Transcription

1 ECODISTRICTS ADVISORY SERVICES Policy to Practice: Equity as a Verb #ecodistrics #sustainableneighborhoodsforall OCTOBER 2017

2 Basic Elements of Analysis What s the PROBLEM? Who s/what s RESPONSIBLE? What s the SOLUTION? What s the needed ACTION? Analyzing Equity It puts isms in the foreground of the debate or discussion. It addresses isms explicitly, but not necessarily exclusively. #ecodistrics #sustainableneighborhoodsforall What VALUES are at stake?

3 Choice Points Choice points are decision-making opportunities that influence outcomes. The cumulative impacts of many small choices can be as significant as the impacts of big decisions. When we re conscious of choice points and the related impacts, we re less likely to replicate implicit bias and the status quo, and we open new possibilities for equitable change. #ecodistrics #sustainableneighborhoodsforall

4 Choosing the Path and Taking Steps Towards Equity SAME OLD CHOICES & ACTIONS SAME OUTCOMES: INEQUITY, EXCLUSION, PERPETUATION OF ISMS CHOICE POINT EQUITY-DRIVEN CHOICES & ACTIONS DIFFERENT OUTCOMES: EQUITY, INCLUSION, PREVENTION OF ISMS #ecodistrics #sustainableneighborhoodsforall

5 Choice Points Our Work Decision points where discretion is exercised that may produce a disparate impact: Operations and Management Engagement + Outreach Program/Project Development + Implementation Staffing, Contracting, Consultants Research + Policy Development Design + Planning Process Timelines, Outcomes, Expectations Projected Outcomes #ecodistrics #sustainableneighborhoodsforall

6 Using Choice Points to Advance Equity & Inclusion 1. Where are the decision-making points that affect outcomes? 2. What decisions/actions may be reinforcing the status quo, implicit bias and current inequities? 3. What alternative action options could produce different outcomes? 4. Which action will best advance equity and inclusion? 5. What reminders, supports and accountability systems can be structured into routine practices to keep equity as a high priority? #ecodistrics #sustainableneighborhoodsforall

7 Areas of Consideration Community/ quality of life: this area includes accessibility, affordability, equality, and quality of life. It also includes community engagement in the project planning and follow-up. Individual health and well-being: this area includes consideration for the health of building occupants, inhabitants and users, neighbors and surrounding community members, and workers, both onsite construction and offsite and supply chain (manufacturing, extraction, and other trades). Economy: this area includes support for local jobs and businesses, job/ skills training, fairness in wages and benefits, and education. It also includes support for companies that provide green jobs and create green products and services through innovation. #ecodistrics #sustainableneighborhoodsforall

8 Exercise: Using Choice Points 1. Identify a choice point: For your area of work, what is a choice point where a current decision/course of action may be adversely affecting racial or economic outcomes. 2. Generate alternative actions: For that choice point, identify some alternative actions that could lead to different and more favorable outcomes for those affected most by inequity or bias. 3. Select an action: Decide which option could leverage the most equitable change. Ensure that it is an action. #ecodistrics #sustainableneighborhoodsforall

9 Awareness The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency introduced the concept of equitable development to describe strategies that combine smart growth with environmental justice in a recent report.1 The report notes: Without the appropriate and equitable engagement and planning, the implementation of smart growth strategies in low-income and minority communities can displace existing residents due to rising rents and other costs of living. This unintended consequence has caused some environmental justice and equity proponents to question smart growth s inclusivity, and has contributed to a divide between smart growth and environmental justice. Working to bridge that divide we have found that a wide range of tools and strategies can be used to engage community members in neighborhood planning and visioning, provide affordable homes and transportation choices, support local businesses, and minimize displacement in other ways. #ecodistrics #sustainableneighborhoodsforall 1. US Environmental Protection Agency, Creating Equitable, Healthy, and Sustainable Communities: Strategies for Advancing Smart Growth, Environmental Justice, and Equitable Development, EPA 231ZKZ10Z005, February 2013

10 Environmental justice, smart growth, sustainability, and equitable development goals and principles have fundamental areas of overlap. They all aim to create communities that are healthy, environmentally sustainable, and economically vibrant. They also seek to empower residents to shape development where they live... (p 2). #ecodistrics #sustainableneighborhoodsforall

11 Thank You Edward B. Hill Director Advisory Services #ecodistrics #sustainableneighborhoodsforall

12 1 Colorado s Resiliency Framework From Vision to Implementation Ecodistricts Summit 2017 Building Healthy, Equitable and Resilient Cities Molly Urbina October 11, 2017

13 Colorado Resiliency & Recovery Office 2

14 Why Prioritize Resiliency? Population Current and Projected Statewide and Select Counties Jurisdiction 2010 Census Estimated 2013 Estimated 2020 Estimated 2040 State of Colorado 5,029,196 5,264,890 5,924,692 7,752,887 City and County of Denver 604, , , ,545 Boulder County 294, , , ,163 Larimer County 299, , , ,612 El Paso County 622, , , ,871 Eagle County 52,057 52,360 57,226 94,085 San Miguel County 7,356 8,063 9,408 15,523 *Source: Colorado Department of Local Affairs Demography Office 3

15 Shocks, Stresses, Vulnerabilities and Risks Shocks Stresses Vulnerabilities Risks 4

16 The Colorado Resiliency Framework The ability of communities to rebound, positively adapt to, or thrive amidst changing conditions or challenges including disasters and changes in climate and maintain quality of life, healthy growth, durable systems and conservation of resources for present and future generations. Colorado Resiliency Working Group 5

17 Engagement 6

18 Interdisciplinary Collaboration 7

19 8

20 Resiliency ROI Resiliency considers benefits beyond risk reduction Economic National Institute of Building Sciences Study: For every $1 spent on risk reduction, $4 saved Environmental Social Triple Bottom Line Returns Investment in flood mitigation in Longmont prevented $22 million in damages. Estimated 3.9 ROI Wildfire mitigation saves Cedar Heights neighborhood and 187 homes during Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012 Innovative historic preservation design protects the Fort Collins Armstrong Hotel from flooding 9

21 Priorities for Action Build capacity and empower a culture of resilience Leverage data to manage risk Integrate resilience into capital investments 10

22 Building a Culture of Resilience 11

23 What Can Communities Do? Understand. Plan. Act. 12

24 Resiliency in Action 13

25 14 Molly Urbina Former Executive Director Colorado Resiliency and Recovery Office Thank you!