How Design Can Help Dismantle Racial Inequity
Welcome to Research by Gensler, a data-inspired newsletter from the Gensler Research Institute about design, work, and the future of cities.
Click subscribe above to be notified of future editions.
Racial disparities in quality of life in many American cities are the direct result of past injustices. That’s the premise of "Designing for Racial Justice," our new signature research report from Gensler’s Center for Research on Equity and the Built Environment.
The report leverages data from Gensler’s research on climate, cities, and residential experience to tell the story of historic and current inequities in the U.S. while also looking at the design solutions and innovations underway that are seeking to overcome these challenges.
Too often, the far-reaching impact of previous design decisions has been division, inequity, and solutions that serve some communities well while leaving others behind. While design was used as a tool to create inequity in the past, design can — and must — be the tool we use to dismantle contemporary racial inequity in the U.S.
Today’s spatial inequities are a direct result of historically racist urban policies and practices.
The isolation and devaluation of Black neighborhoods denies people access to systems of economic prosperity.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Black communities are disproportionately burdened with environmental and well-being risks.
Equitable design is a catalyst for transformation.
Equitable design solutions require an equitable design process that starts with the community. Community-led design processes are the start of a process that ensures that local voices shape development — helping to pinpoint areas of the most need and foster greater inclusivity in design.
True equity demands more than just providing basic amenities; it requires addressing the injustices built into existing structures and systems. Ultimately, equitable design isn’t just about building physical structures; it’s about reshaping our society to ensure a more prosperous tomorrow.
More stats and stories you need to know.
Written by Lisa Cholmondeley and Roger Smith, co-directors of Gensler’s Center for Research on Equity and the Built Environment.
Join the conversation. How does your community support racial equity? What are your thoughts on community-centered design?
*The studies’ sampling strategies aimed to balance racial and ethnic identity to align with the U.S. Census. Only the average results of respondents who identified exclusively as White or Caucasian, Black or African American, or Latino or Hispanic had sufficient sample sizes to be included in this report. Additional detail on methodology is described in the report appendix.
Professional Interior Architectural Designer
1w“Equitable design is a catalyst for transformation”. How can we get there together?
--
1moIt is interesting to note that the Latin community feels more positive than the black community in equal or even more unfavorable conditions
Architect | 3D Artist | Renders in 3DMax Vray Corona | Project Manager
1moGreat article! These communities are isolated in many cities due to heavy infrastructure such as railways or highways. To create more equity, we have to mitigate those boundaries that separate us physically through public spaces. What separates us nowadays can become a space of encounter in the future.
Senior Design Consultant
1moarchitecture research, Gensler always NO1
Business Development/Client Relations
1moA great read. I’m just glad this is part of the consideration now.