Equitable Development for Urban Waters

Understanding Gentrification and Preventing Displacement

A Story Map Developed by the Urban Waters Learning Network

Picture it. An organization in or near an historically underserved urban community is granted funding to restore a river, create greenspace within the watershed, or design a greenway along the waterfront. The investment is a great opportunity to improve the environment and the water quality, as well as the quality of life of the residents living within it.  These development projects are intended to create more sustainable and resilient communities.

So, what's the catch? The impacts often result in a  reduced sense of belonging  for long-time residents coinciding with an  increase in property values  that is followed by the  displacement of surrounding communities . The story is nearly ubiquitous in urban neighborhoods across the United States where Black, brown, people of color, and low-income residents live. Cycles of poverty and disinvestment are compounded and racist structures are reinforced. True sustainability and resilience can only be achieved when we center equity in our work and collectively address the problems inherent in single-issue solutions.

What can you do about it? The answer depends on your institutional setting (i.e. nonprofit, private business, or government) and the strength of your partnerships. Equitable development, in this case, means greening without increasing displacement pressures on already stressed urban communities.

There are some important key elements that make this work possible in urban waters settings: (1)  understanding, equity, displacement and green gentrification , (2)  considering the historical context of communities , (3)  practicing community-centered education and engagement , (4)  designing equitable development plans , and (5)  creating multi-sector partnerships  that foster affordable housing, jobs creation, and highlight community benefits.

Pathways to Equity

This work will look different for every organization or agency pursuing it. It almost always begins with understanding the history of place and the underpinnings of historically racist practices like redlining and urban renewal as well as the exclusive nature of the early urban environmental movement. Underserved and disproportionately impacted urban communities exist because of deliberate exclusion from investments and environmental protections. Centering impacted communities and providing funding and resources for this work is a must to undo racist and classist structures. 

For more information on this work, the UWLN features resources pertaining to equity and anti-racism:

The CREATE Initiative created a policy toolkit that guides organizations and agencies in incorporating equity into planning processes. The "From Toolkit to Action" section includes guidance for multiple sectors as well as Policy and Anti-Displacement Matrices; the guidance for nonprofits is represented above. ( CREATE Initiative, 2020 )

There are also tools available that envision green spaces as a way to build equity. The University of Minnesota’s  CREATE Initiative  toolkit— Sharing in the Benefits of a Greening City —was created through an academic and community partnership as a resource for nonprofit organizations, government agencies, planners, and policymakers. Groundwork USA has also developed tools that guide practitioners to  put environmental justice and equity into action ,  build institutional knowledge , and  use digital mapping tools  to inform equitable land reuse strategies.

It is important to find common language about equitable development to bridge the gap between environmental organizations and housing, policy, or economic development organizations. Securing these kinds of innovative partnerships aid in creating multi-sector equitable development plans that address multiple needs in communities. Being open to partnering with organizations outside of the typical environmental landscape opens the pathway for equity and can lead to greening that not only improves the environment but also allows for residents to stay in place. 

The CREATE Initiative created a policy toolkit that guides organizations and agencies in incorporating equity into planning processes. The "From Toolkit to Action" section includes guidance for multiple sectors as well as Policy and Anti-Displacement Matrices; the guidance for nonprofits is represented above. ( CREATE Initiative, 2020 )