The 2050 Regional Transportation Plan The object of study was how Social Equity was framed in the 2050 RTP

Are You being represented?How Social Equity is being framed in the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan

Jonathan Yang, University of San Diego, Urban Studies and Planning Program

Social Equity is relativity a new term that has become embedded into regional transportation plans. The term was created within sustainable planning and used to emphasize the improvement of the lives of people through sustainable and equitable development. The social equity story helps us understand why it is important for new plans. This research asks how equity has been framed in the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan created by SANDAG. The definitions of equity show that the RTP defines equity, as having access within the city; so is it about access or improvement? Does access create employment opportunities, higher standard of living or a sense of community engagement? This social and economic issue is important in addressing in dealing with future plans for development

Timing

Meaning Involveme

nt

RTP’s frame of

Social Equity

Finding 1

The purpose of this study was toilluminate and understand how equity was framed in the RTP Understand the story and general consensus of social equityExplore the importance of equity in regional planning and how transportation systems should address social and transportation equity.Explore how regional governments view social equity

Purpose of Study

Score

Examples

1 “Social equity in relation to land use is discussed in Chapter 3, Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS)” (Ch. 4 RTP pg. 4).

2 “The objectives of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), outlined in the Jobs/Housing “Fit” section of this chapter, complement the 2050 RTP Social Equity goal and policy objectives” (Ch. 4 RTP pg. 4).

3 “Additional social equity performance measures for Low Mobility and Low Community Engagement populations also are included” (Ch. 4 RTP pg. 17).

4 In 1994, Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice was issue, and it expanded social equity principles to cover low income as well as minority groups” (Ch. 4 RTP pg. 2).

5 “Promoting social equity and environmental justice in transportation requires involvement from a wide variety of communities and stakeholders” (Ch. 4 RTP pg. 2).

Score Example1 “Achieving social equity and environmental justice in the

development of a comprehensive transportation is a major regional goal” (Ch. 4 RTP pg. 2)

2 “Achieving social equity and environmental justice in the development of a comprehensive transportation is a major regional goal” (Ch. 4 RTP pg. 2)

3 “SANDAG worked with members of the public who were interested in social equity and environmental issues” (Ch. 4 RTP pg. 11)

4 “The Board Policy also states that social equity means ensuring that all people are treated fairly and are given equal opportunity to participate in the planning and decision-making process, with an emphasis on ensuring that traditionally disadvantaged groups are not left behind” (Ch. 4 RTP pg. 4)

5 “The Policy states that social equity and environmental justice are meant to ensure the meaningful involvement of low income, minority, disabled, senior, and other traditionally underrepresented communities and it is a key component of SANDAG public participation activities” (Ch. 4 RTP pg. 4)

Finding 2

I approached the research with an analytical approach and decided that the text and my interview with Jane Clough-Riquelme would be my best way of answering the question.My approach consisted of…Content AnalysisInterview with the Author of the chapterScholarly Research about Social Equity

My interview with the author provided the answer to my question of how social equity is framed. Using the frame of timing and meaning involvement, I conducted a content analysis by gauging how “timing” and “meaningful involvement” were portrayed every time the word equity was used in the chapter. The small universe of the chapter helped me flesh out all the subtleties and ultimately help me understand how equity is framed. The findings are presented below to be understood quickly and easily.

Methods and Approach

Abstract

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan defines equity as timing and meaningful involvement. The frame suggests that regional governments like the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) have put emphasis on the inclusion of traditionally underrepresented groups (minority/ low income groups). Their emphasis of this inclusion makes asks the question why the traditionally underrepresented group are in fact “traditional”. The RTP has also put a number value (minutes) on equity. The success of the RTP will depend on the decreased travel times to amenities that all will enjoy with the fruition of the 2050 RTP.

March 15, 2011

Acknowledgements

Sources: 2050 Regional Transportation Planhttp://www.sandag.org/uploads/2050RTP/F2050rtp1.pdfhttp://www.sandag.org/uploads/2050RTP/F2050rtp4.pdfBerkeley Planning JournalAmerican Planners Association

The RTP uses Communities of Concerns in order to gauge where the equity is needed.They used 4 communities of concerns:Low-incomeMinorityLow civic engagementLow- mobilityMany maps were constructed to show the improvements that the 2050 RTP will make for the communities of concerns. The map below shows the improvements of low income areas with the added transits (bus, commuter rail) in 2050.

Communities of Conerns