Dear
Utah planners,
As faculty in the City and Metropolitan Planning (CMP) Department at the University
of Utah, we stand alongside the American Planning Association (APA) and its published statement “Righting the Wrongs of
Racial Inequality.”
Racism has fractured our communities and its institutionalization has long disadvantaged Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. The pandemic has
only heightened these inequities with Black, Indigenous, and Latinx people being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The horrific murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery remind us that white supremacy is alive and well. The astounding
levels of police brutality we have recently witnessed serve to show that our governing institutions are still in need of deep and meaningful reform. As professionals working for the public good, planners must not remain silent in the face of such oppression,
repression, and coercive political practice.
At this time when racial injustice is plainly visible to all, we recommit to our pledge to advance our vision of “a world in which planning engages with neighborhoods,
cities, and regions to achieve ecological resilience, smart growth, and social justice.”
As faculty, we are guided by not only what is right, but by the APA’s direction to (1) work towards ameliorating structural disadvantages in housing, transportation,
education, and employment caused by discriminatory policies and practices; and (2) engage with less advantaged communities in the participatory process to bring about true progress in advancing equity and inclusion.
As educators, we recognize that future generations of social justice advocates are needed to stand against structural racism and inequality. We remain strongly
committed to our mission to “train students, conduct research, and engage the profession to create meaningful planning processes and outcomes that improve the well-being and quality of life of community members.”
We will achieve this through our values of:
Through research, education, and service, the CMP community will continue to build a foundation towards a more equitable, compassionate, and just society.
Sincerely,
Stacy Harwood
Chair & Professor
Alessandro Rigolon
Assistant Professor
Divya Chandrasekhar
Associate Professor
Sarah Canham
Associate Professor
Danya Lee Rumore
Assistant Professor
Reid Ewing
Professor
Ivis Garcia
Assistant Professor
Keith Bartholomew
Associate Dean and Professor
Sarah Jack Hinners
Assistant Professor
Brenda Scheer
Professor
---
Stacy Anne Harwood, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor
Dept. of City & Metropolitan Planning
University of Utah
375 South 1530 East, Suite 220
Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
801.581.6384 |
harwood@PROTECTED
Start a new thread, email: utahapa@cachempo.org
Utah Chapter APA
Email addresses will not be shared or sold.