The 2050 Regional Transportation Plan

1. Are You being represented?How Social Equity is being framed in the 2050 Regional Transportation PlanJonathan Yang, University of San Diego, Urban Studies and Planning Program • Timing • RTP’s frame of Social Equity Purpose of Study Methods and Approach • The purpose of this study was to • illuminate and understand how equity was framed in the RTP • Understand the story and general consensus of social equity • Explore the importance of equity in regional planning and how transportation systems should address social and transportation equity. • Explore how regional governments view social equity Conclusion The 2050 Regional Transportation Plan The object of study was how Social Equity was framed in the 2050 RTP • 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 Analysis • Interview with the Author of the chapter • Scholarly 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. • Meaning Involvement 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. Abstract 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 Communities of Conerns • The RTP uses Communities of Concerns in order to gauge where the equity is needed. • They used 4 communities of concerns: • Low-income • Minority • Low civic engagement • Low- mobility • Many 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. Finding 2 Finding 1 Acknowledgements Sources: 2050 Regional Transportation Plan http://www.sandag.org/uploads/2050RTP/F2050rtp1.pdf http://www.sandag.org/uploads/2050RTP/F2050rtp4.pdf Berkeley Planning Journal American Planners Association March 15, 2011