social urbanism
We tend to forget that our spaces are comprised of individuals with their own stories and livelihoods. The way our neighborhoods and communities function as a whole is important, but planners also design cities for the people who live there. This is one important reason why social development services such as positive youth development, financial literacy and workforce development are essential for overall neighborhood development.
Black Urban Planner's Seven Objectives for the Next Ten Years
Through a series of conversations with various Black planners, including those mentioned in the acknowledgement section, a consensus was met where a list of notable and obtainable objectives, that we all can work towards, was preferred, as opposed to “demanding” or “asking” another entity to provide change for us and our community. This idea falls into the same principle of what blackandurban was found on: Sharing Solutions to Improve Our Spaces.
These seven objectives by no means represent all Black planner’s objectives. But they do, arguably, reach the general interest of some leading African-American/Black planning practitioners and academics.
The Process
This initiative started as a response to the continuous deaths of Black men and women by law enforcement officers with impunity coupled by a weak response from the planning profession. I worked with a few other outspoken planning professionals to collectively come up with our own goals that we all can advocate and work towards in our own capacities to help undue the historic wrongs that were conceived by the Planning profession which perpetuates social justice disparities in our communities today.
I initially approached a group of 3 planners, Gisla Augustin, Kristen Jeffers, and Jermaine Ruffin to help explore a list of demands for Black Planners. We first developed a list of 10 comprehensive demands. The list of demands were then introduced to Desiree Powell’s Blck Spces’s Black Urban Planner’s Discussion via zoom. The virtual space for Black Planners was used to catalyze a broader discussion about the initial demands which became objectives. Desiree was able to pull and engage approximately 50 planner attendees with various backgrounds per each meeting. There is no doubt that Desiree’s efforts were an integral part of the process.
Through a series of conversations with various Black planners, including those mentioned in the acknowledgement section, a consensus was met where a list of notable and obtainable objectives, that we all can work towards, was preferred, as opposed to “demanding” or “asking” another entity to provide change for us and our community. This idea falls into the same principle of what blackandurban was found on: Sharing Solutions to Improve Our Spaces.
Acknowledgements
Desiree Powell, Blck Spces, Founder
Gisla Augustin , Gigi the Planner, Founder
Jermaine Ruffin. The Streets Are Planning, Founder
Fabiola Alikpokou, Beyond Urban Planning, Founder
Kristen Jeffers, The Black Urbanist, Founder
Dru Maynus, Urban Planning Life, Founder
Coretta Mondesir, Urban Money Project, Founder
Brittany Drakeford, PhD Student
Jonathan Bush, Urban Planner and Designer
Jalyn Porchay, Land Use Planner
Implementable Equity Strategies in Planning
Research shows that substandard infrastructure and materials are used in Black/African-American communities compared to white communities.
True equitable practices would ensure the same use of techniques regardless of neighborhood demographics or political boundaries.
Actively seek Engagement between Black Academics and Black Planning Practitioners
Academics and planning practitioners have the opportunity to create a thorough nexus. Our planning goals can better off be reached by creating an effective pipeline between research pertaining to Black communities and implementing projects that provide fact-based solutions.
Implement a National Ambassador/Mentorship Program
Aimed to inform BIPOC and be intentional about recruitment to the Planning profession.
Introduced by Jermaine Ruffin, Founder of The Streets Are Planning, this objective is seen as one of the most tangible within a 10 year period. It can serve as an effective way to retain Black planners in the profession.
Advocate for Social Justice and Physical Neighborhood Changes
Encourage Black/African/American Heritage Commissions in historically Black communities to influence land use and transportation decisions.
Dru Maynus, Founder of Urban Planning Life, first introduced the idea of creating a type of heritage board in Black neighborhoods that would serve as a governing body to have authority over Black cultural assets and infrastructure that affects residents and businesses under its influence. This would give control to Black residents in predominately Black neighborhoods and allow them to create their own solutions to resolve failed urban planning policies that left Black neighborhoods behind.
Advocate for local city councils to pass sweeping reforms to repair generations of discriminatory practices that has affected Black communities.
Asheville, NC’s City Council passed a resolution to provide reparations to its Black residents. The resolution is a form of restitution to correct the wrongs of racist urban planning policies and systemic racist government policies that have prohibit Black people from accumulating wealth while inhibiting their white counterparts to accumulate generational wealth.
The Town of Asheville, NC shall be used as a precedent for future bills of restitution to the American slave trade.
Encourage Black Urban Studies in Higher Education Planning Programs
Advocate for accredited colleges to include required courses focused on Black/ African-American neighborhoods and developmental patterns cities within continental Africa.
The following curricula should be a mandated throughout accredited Planning schools:
Coursework about African-American neighborhoods within the United States and the government’s role to perpetuate contemporary adverse physical and socio-economical neighborhood conditions due to historic and contemporary policies related to housing, transportation, zoning, gentrification and other exclusionary policies and practices.
For example, the curricula around this topic should be conducive to facillitate student discussions about development projects and/or plans that have created disparate impact in African-American communities, i.e. Pruitt-Igoe Apartments in St. Louis, MO and Black Wall Street/Greenwood community in Tulsa, OK.
The Color of Law by Richard Rothenstein should be a mandatory read.
African cities, their historic development patterns, and their successes and shortfalls due to western principles and native practices.
Other electives should take a look at racial injustice, and the social-economic and psychological impacts of racism within the built environment.
Include prominent Black Urbanists of Historical and contemporary significance at accredited planning schools. The curricula should/must consider the following notable black planners, sociologists, and activists, as listed below from Gisla Augustin, Founder of Gigi the Planner’s recommended list:
Ethel Lawrence, considered the Rosa Parks for affordable housing with the historic Mt. Laurel Case.
W.E.B. Du Bois, well renowned sociologist who studied the effects of racism on African-Americans in Philadelphia, PA.
Benjamin Banneker
James Baldwin
Charles Claybourn Allen
Reginald Griffith
Arthur Campbell
Harvey Gantt
Michelle Obama
Samuel [James] Cullers
Hilanius L. Phillips
Mitchell Silver
Curtis E. Green
Herman Kobe
Glady West
W.E.B. DuBois
Horace Clayton Jr. / St. Claire Drake
John Hope Franklin
Gordon Parks
Dorothy Mae Richardson
Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts
William Julius Wilson
Geoffrey Canada
Mary Pattillo
Urbanists - Academia
Julian Agyeman
Robert Bullard
Sheila Foster
Toni Griffin
Michael Lens
Mary Pattillo
June Manning Thomas
William Julius Wilson
Dr. Destiny Thomas
Urbanists - Community Activists
http://cornersideyard.blogspot.com/2017/11/black-urbanists-part-2-community.html
Christopher Alston
Erma Henderson
Mel King
Teka Lark Lo
Fannie Lewis
Ayesha McGowan
DeRay Mckesson
Liz Ogbu
Olatunji Oboi Reed
Najari Smith
Derrick Braziel, William Thomas, III and Allen Woods
Urbanists - Local Government Management
http://cornersideyard.blogspot.com/2017/11/black-urbanists-part-3-local-government.html
Keith Benjamin
Kelley Britt
Maurice Cox
Kimberly Driggins
Aaron Foley
Majestic Lane
Justin Garrett Moore
Mitchel Silver
John Watson
Prioritize Healthy Cities
Prioritize healthy food equality, and mitigate food deserts. Utilize urban informatics to correlate health data with land use and development patterns, Integrate biophilic design to maintain a good physical and mental health.
Promote inclusive design that encourage physical activity for all users to mitigate cardiovascular and asthmatic health disparities.
Mitigate toxic air, noise nuisances, and urban heat islands while increasing fresh water and waterfront access.
This objective was introduced by Jonathan Bush, planner and urban designer. These are some objectives that should be prioritized to reverse the devastating health disparities in African-American/Black communities set forth by racist housing and transportation policies from the United State’s Federal Housing Authority and Federal Highway Administrations.
In Architecture, form is known to follow function, but so to in planning, shall our health be the motivating objective to create beautiful and sustainable neighborhoods for African-Americans to live, work and play.
Uplift, Support, and Engage with BIPOC Organizations
Black businesses generate revenue to stabilize black communities' tax-base. BIPOC social entrepreneurs focused on helping communities of color should be given preferential treatment to help resolve the problems within our communities.
There are quite a few BIPOC organizations advocating for social and environmental change. It's imperative that we connect, collaborate, engage and foster relationships with one another.
The Planner's Beginner Guide to the #BlackLivesMatter Movement
This compilation of resources is meant to be a starter guide for those looking to educate themselves on the #BLM Movement. This document was compiled solely by myself, Danielle Dirksen, from outside sources and does not necessarily reflect on the views of METRANS Transportation Center or its partners. I do not claim creation of any materials listed.
This is from my point of view as a white USC student and as a future transportation planner looking to do better, both from the white-privilege and urban planning perspectives. I hope that you choose to make positive change in the (transportation) planning profession for all, especially for Black folks.
Image Credit: blacklivesmatter.com
This compilation of resources is meant to be a starter guide for those looking to educate themselves on the #BLM Movement. This document was compiled solely by myself, Danielle Dirksen, from outside sources and does not necessarily reflect on the views of METRANS Transportation Center or its partners. I do not claim creation of any materials listed.
This is from my point of view as a white USC student and as a future transportation planner looking to do better, both from the white-privilege and urban planning perspectives. I hope that you choose to make positive change in the (transportation) planning profession for all, especially for Black folks.
Art Credit: Sacrée Frangine on Instagram
What is Black Lives Matter? Where can I read more about the #BLM Movement and Blackness/being Black in America in general?
Black Lives Matter was a response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murder in 2013. Martin was an unarmed, innocent 17-year-old Black boy who was fatally shot and killed by neighborhood watch member George Zimmerman. Martin’s death and subsequent murder acquittal triggered pent-up rage by Black people and by people everywhere.
Black Lives Matter is a movement in response to racism; to continued police violence against and racial profiling of Black people; to the numerous murders of Black people. BLM works to spread awareness of such issues, and to eliminate white supremacy while uplifting all Black lives, including LGBT folks and women. All lives do not matter until all Black Lives Matter.
I recommend starting with the Black Lives Matter website, then making your way to your local chapter’s website. As a white person, though, I am not best suited to entertain all of your BLM questions, so here are some resources to help speak on the movement. I did my best to include mostly Black (or at least POC) authors particularly for this and the following two sections:
● The Making of Black Lives Matter by Christopher J. Lebron (view summary here)
● Making All Black Lives Matter by Barbara Ransby (view summary here)
● Framing Blackness: The African American Image in Film by Ed Guerrero (view summary here)
● The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (view summary here)
● An oldie but a goodie on #AllLivesMatter
● How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (view summary here)
● NPR’s review of a multi-perspective list of LA Riot films
● Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis (view summary here), and her other reads
● The Transformation of Silence into Language by Audre Lorde (view paper here)
● So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo (view summary here)
● Marcia Chatelain’s How Black Lives Matter Evolved in Dissent
● The Stonewall Reader, in honor of Marsha P. Johnson (view summary here)
● And, if you prefer listening, here are a few podcasts to get you started:
○ John Hanson’s In Black America
○ The Nod, with a recent episode in light of Floyd’s murder
○ Glynn Washington and Snap Judgment for storytelling with a beat
○ In Search of Black Power from New Timbuktu
How do race and Blackness relate to urban planning? What should I check out to learn more about the intersection of #BLM and/or the history of Black people and urban planning?
Race is inherently tied to the field of urban planning because planners often address or, rather, neglect to address how people of different races will be able to use their projects. Let’s look briefly at a modern issue: the open streets argument . Open streets are great! They’re for everyone to bike, walk, run, and do almost whatever they please in the middle of the street. Cars, be gone. But is that really how that works? What about Ahmaud Arbery ?
Would he have been safe on an open street? What about any other Black person who wanted to use an open street in a predominantly white neighborhood, or even in a mixed neighborhood where the police often drive by? Those Black people are more likely to be targeted by police and discrimination. These are issues directly relevant to planning, but they are too often not discussed in detail, if at all.
● Free ebook download until June 5th: on Police Violence and Resistance
● Free JPER downloads this week: thanks Dr. Lisa Schweitzer (this is also referenced below)
● Segregated by Design -- the name says it all
● Black in Place by Brandi Thompson Summer (view summary here)
● Rewriting the Urban Planning Canon in APA Viewpoint
● Racial and Class Bias in Zoning in JAPA
● A Social Equity gold mine in APA, with additional resources at the bottom - more general planning with some discussion of POC (rather than Black, explicitly)
○ Similarly, APA’s Planning for Equity Policy Guide
● From StreetsBlogLA, An Interview with Kristen Jeffers, whose website is here
● Planetizen’s Violence Against Black Americans
● StreetsBlogUSA on being Antiracist over simply being ‘not racist’
● Campaign Zero’s discussion on Broken Windows Policing Reform
● Peaceful demonstrations in rich neighborhoods reported by the LAist
● The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson (view summary here)
● The curious and angering case of LA Metro buses used against protestors in protests in the LAist (also check L.A. Taco’s site and protest coverage)
● Racism is not just a human rights issue and a planning issue, but it's a climate issue, says Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
● Nipsey Hussle’s love for his community, shared by Sahra Sulaiman
● General KCRW coverage (though you typically shouldn’t expose protestors’ faces for safety reasons)
● A Letter to White Urbanists (from a White Urbanist)
● ITE and Equity in a magazine issue
● Urban Planning and the African-American Community by June Manning Thomas (view summary here)
● A personal piece from Black planner Dee P.
● Watch Fruitvale Station on Tubi for free or on various subscription platforms
● Then there’s Black Kids from Outer Space, a blast from the (2018) past
● The Black Skyscraper by Adrienne Brown (view summary here)
Who are some good voices to listen to about Blackness and planning?
● Gigi the Planner (who you can literally listen to via her podcast)
● Kristen Jeffers (whose radio show is on a hiatus, but still worth a listen)
● Dee P.
● This amazing list compiled by Lynn Ross!
What are some good some resources on social media for #BLM and planning?
● Twitter thread on fear of speaking out in planning professions
● Everything that Tamika Butler has ever tweeted, including this thread, and her recent blog post
● Why Do People Say Defund the Police? on Instagram
● Abolish the Police? But how would we stay safe? on Instagram
● Dr. Lisa Schweitzer’s handy compilation of reads on Blackness and planning
● This Instagram post for massive police reform
● Senator Scott Weiner’s Twitter page, especially for those in SF/the Bay Area
● A harrowing Instagram tale of arrest at a peaceful protest
● Mona Chalabi’s story-telling art
● Recent posts on blackandurban’s Instagram
● My own thread on how #BLM relates to transportation planning and mobility, though I think we need many more specific discussions and threads on this particular issue from both planners and Black voices (and both)
● Dr. Destiny Thomas’ blunt words -- hey, they needed to be said
● Sahra Sulaiman’s Twitter account, with this thread as an example, and articles
● (For every section, really) There are too many resources to name; Twitter and Instagram are frequently updated -- trying scrolling through your timeline or people’s stories daily. Even if you don’t have an account, you can access some information as a guest or Internet user.
What are some reputable #BLM foundations/nonprofits/charities to donate to?
● Some bigger names doing a lot of good:
○ The Loveland Foundation, which supports therapy for Black womxn
○ Communities United Against Police Brutality
● A few local (LA) organizations repping the “small(er) but mighty” title:
○ People's City Council Freedom Fund
○ AWARE LA
● Split a donation amongst many bail funds
● Maximize your impact or if you simply don’t have the funds to spare, check this out. If you want to watch, Zoe’s video is here.
● Information for your company on setting up a matching program for donations
Consider any planning or mobility justice organizations, too, that you know work for a more equitable planning profession, either in a direct or more casual manner. East Side Riders Bike Club in Watts and Pittsburghers for Public Transit are two great examples.
What other actions can I take, especially as a planner, to support #BlackLivesMatter and Black people?
● Support black-owned businesses, especially for catering or events (since us planners do have plenty of networking events...hint, hint). I listed a few regions:
○ Bay Area
○ Seattle
● Encourage your organization, agency, or company to make a public statement proclaiming support for #BLM and to take that statement into action; pledge to donate and take other actions to make sure that the statement is not forgotten about. See sample statements:
○ Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust
● Join a protest. If you choose to, please exercise caution and listen to Black folks directing the protest. This features safety advice, from what to do if you get slammed with tear gas to proper protocol should you be arrested. And we can always take some advice from Hong Kong’s protests.
● Actively amplify Black voices by sharing materials and creations from Black people, kind of like this. Spread awareness of #BLM, of course, but do your best not to overshadow those speaking from lived experiences and remember that Black people do not owe you, as a white person or non-black POC, anything. Here’s a handy guide on white privilege.
● Educate yourself. You’ve made it to the last section of this resource guide, so that’s a great start! Use some of the links in this document or sources from friends or social media as a springboard. Some of my favorite all-encompassing links that I’ve seen thus far:
○ 40 Ways You Can Help Right Now
○ 6 Ways to Activate Beyond Social Media
○ Tangible tasks that non-black people can do right now
○ This google doc has Everything if you’re looking for a comprehensive guide.
● Listen. And, more importantly, listen to Black people. But also recognize that we are beyond the point where simply listening is enough. We need to do more.
● Spread awareness to others, whether that be by reposting meaningful posts on social media or by starting conversations. Don’t end your activism with the end of the protests. Silence is complicit.
● Call out inappropriate and racist behavior, including in work settings.
● Recognize planning’s detrimental role in history, and its past rooted in problematic practices -- systemic racism, shutting out voices, isolating people, gentrifying.
● Sign petitions to push for higher charges of the officers involved in Floyd’s muder; to divert money from the LAPD’s funding; and so on. Here is one list, but there are many more petitions found on Google and through social media searches.
● Use your voice. In addition to signing petitions, call your councilmembers, write emails, and leave your congressmen voice messages. Demand justice. You can use this example or you can opt to use a template that’s more representative of your voice.
● Create safe spaces at work and in communities for Black people, for People of Color, for women, for intersectional identities. Placemaking is what we do, after all! Check out a piece written by several Black folks, including Ascala Sisk and Odetta MacLeish-White.
● Spur conversation about race in as many planning meetings and about as many planning topics as you can. Think it doesn’t matter? It does! Think about open streets. Can Black people use them without suspicion or being targeted? What about fare policing for transit systems? People of color, especially Black people, are targeted more often! Dara said so. And it’s definitely been proven true, as if that account wasn’t enough.
Thank you for reading. Please share with friends and family if you’d like, or on social media. Above all, remember the countless lives lost due to systemic racism and police brutality. Take action and take it now. I challenge you to use your white and non-black privilege. #BlackLivesMatter Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, and Always.
Art Credit: @shirien.creates on Instagram
Beyond the Count: Why is the U.S. Census a Big Deal?
Photo by Christopher Nicholas
Happy U.S. Census Year! That’s Right Folks, it is a Census Year!
And this year is more important than ever. Over $675 billion in federal funds, grants, and support to help communities is on the line. Historically, African-American households have always been under-counted in the decennial census and as a result, it has led to disadvantages for African-American families and communities. However, we have the opportunity to make this year’s census different, as there is so much on the line.
What is the U.S Census?
The census is widely known to determine the demographic makeup of the country every ten years. But, according to the U.S Census Bureau the constitutional basis to conduct the census is to reapportion the U.S. House of Representatives. Apportionment is the process of dividing the 435 memberships, or seats, in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states. The census is also used to distribute federal funds for social service programs, public works and other vital programs. The amount of funding per congressional district depends on the U.S Census Bureau’s official population count.
Innovation
The impact of this year’s U.S. Census is particularly important due to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The global pandemic is forcing the U.S Census Bureau to be innovative and use non-conventional methods to obtain an accurate population count. In previous Census counts, the Bureau would mail leaflets and hire seasonal workers to canvass entire neighborhoods to conduct door-to-door counts. Now, the Census Bureau has added an online response feature to reach millions of Americans that will not get a mail-in form or a door-to-door count, due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
The impact of an online response is that 90 percent of Americans, (over 312 million) use the Internet in comparison to 2010, where only 72 percent of the population (222 million) used the Internet. In a digital age, where information and access is powerful, the opportunity to make an impact is easier. This is because segments of the population that never had the ability to make their voice count, now have an opportunity to do so with the emphasis on online responses. Internet usage is at an all-time high for African-Americans (85 percent). We have a real chance of making an impact in our communities as a result of the expanding access of the U.S. Census to provide funding for education, infrastructure, public transportation, housing assistance, historically black colleges and universities (HBCU), Medicare, health care, minority-owned businesses. Mobilizing our power online and turning to impact funding for our communities.
Impact
Infrastructure in the United States is graded a D+ by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Infrastructure in the African-American community is at an F grade due to racial segregation, under-investment and under-development of infrastructure. Hurricane Katrina in 2006 was a perfect example of how climate change exacerbates problems in neighborhoods with already poor infrastructure. Sub-standard affordable housing units in low-income communities were at greater risk from severe storms, and more prone to flooding than those in wealthier neighborhoods. Adequate infrastructure and preparation could have resulted in saving more lives. That is why it is important to fill out the U.S. Census to pressure public officials to care about your community and what it needs.
Challenge
There are a few challenges. In 2013, a Pew Research Center survey showed that 34 percent of those who did not use the internet felt it was not relevant to their ives, while 32 percent of non-users said it was too difficult to use, (some believed they were too old to learn), and 19 percent noted cost was a factor, as some people could not afford internet service or owning a computer. In addition, social distancing creates additional challenges for those who rely on libraries, community centers and other public facilities. These community resource centers, which normally provide internet access, are now closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
To overcome these challenges, I recommend that we rely on those who are most familiar with the internet - particularly the youth - to help others fill out the census. Also, it is important to note that the census survey can be taken on a mobile device.
How Can I Take the Census?
The U.S. Census Bureau’s website has a great step-by-step tutorial on how to complete the 2020 Census online. Please review the YouTube video below:
Please review the U.S. Census Bureau website for more information.
The census is your constitutional right, please fill out the 2020 U.S Census Survey here to better your communities.
Second Order Effects (COVID-19)
Photo by Tess via Unsplash
As the global pandemic rages, behavioural scientists around the world are engaged in their best thinking to design nudges, boosts and outright mandates that encourage people to practice social distancing, stay home and practice sensible hygiene—particularly washing hands. Likewise, governments around the world are taking increasingly stronger measures to ensure compliance with measures that will keep people safe, flatten the curve and reduce the mortality rates associated with the pandemic.
Yet, even as we deal with the emerging issues of ensuring compliance to flatten the curve, we should also consider and prepare for the potential consequences and second order effects both of the pandemic itself and of our actions in creating a ‘new normal’. Right now, we need mass compliance to save lives, but what happens after the pandemic?
I think there may be a few second and third order effects across a few domains. (Note I don’t offer any hypotheses on the impact of pandemic on the economy. Check out Ray Dalio’s work and Joe Davis at Vanguard for insights.) On one hand, there may be a return to normal—the way things were before the pandemic, mass crowding, a fuzzy sense of the lines around government reach and individual rights in democracies, a preference for urban environments because of their correlation with higher economic opportunity, and so on. On the other, it is likely we’ll see some impact to what becomes normal in terms of:
1. Government expectations and reach
In the 4½ weeks since Italy detected the first signs of the outbreak, the country has lost more than 8,000 people to the virus. The Italian government locked down the country within days. In Australia, after residents flouted social distancing rules, the government instituted a strong ban on public gatherings. In many ways the pandemic is a global emergency similar to warlike crisis. But in thinking about life after the pandemic, questions arise: will governments express a preference for this kind of swift paternalistic hold on citizens which, while valid and much needed now, could be called upon again in the future when there may be an inkling or cause for concern, giving the excuse of moving quickly to avoid a covid-like situation before evidence support such moves? Do democracies, particularly, have enough checks and balances at all government levels to ensure government reach returns to normal post-pandemic?
2. Work preferences and employee expectations of employers
As citizens and employees, we’re learning and redefining what it means to be an essential employee—we’re starting to see how grocery store attendants, delivery persons and others play vital roles in the economy similar to healthcare professionals. At the same time, we’re observing the efficiency benefits as well as the challenges of working from home. Finally, we’re becoming privy to the economic instability inherent in many of the services we’ve taken for granted—coffee shops, restaurants, barbers, cleaners, and so on. We’re constantly being told to be financially prepared for emergencies, but coming out of this emergency, we’ll learn to ask questions of our employers (and landlords) about their economic stability and how prepared they are for emergencies. Because their actions directly influence our lives.
3. Hygiene and personal space
It is likely coming out of this pandemic, we’ll institute social norms around distancing—this may have 3rd order effects on transportation. Will we see an increase in what’s considered personal space, and a reluctance to overcrowd public transportation even during peak hours?
We certainly will (or should) see an increase in basic hand washing. The provision of water to rural communities has been top of mind for UNICEF’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) team which works in over 100 countries worldwide to improve water and sanitation services, as well as basic hygiene practices. Last year, UNICEF’s efforts provided nearly 14 million people with clean water and over 11 million with basic toilets. Does clean and sanitary water become even more of a priority for governments? And more importantly, will we see consistent and rigorous hand-washing become the norm?
4. Urban dispersal and movement preferences
While recent years have seen a mass exodus out of big cities such as New York, international migration often stabilises that outflow. As people consider where they want to live moving forward, we may see a tendency towards rural more spread out areas, and for those who still need to enjoy the economic and social advantages of living in a big city—a preference for neighbourhoods in suburbs closer to cities. There’s a remote chance that this may lead to a levelling of housing prices across big cities over the next few years, but it’s more likely that we’ll see some increase in housing prices in suburbs as those areas become more desirable.
5. Global migration
As the pandemic rages, at least 27 countries on every continent have closed their borders to certain foreign nationals. While all of these countries will at some point re-open their borders, many will maintain restrictions against certain nationals. I don’t expect there will be a correlation between incidence of disease and these restrictions. Weak passports could become weaker.
6. Consumption patterns
As stated above, we’ve all heard and been told to save for a ‘rainy’ day or an ‘emergency bucket.’ Workers who now have unsteady sources of income are experiencing firsthand the need for those buckets. But workers who are guaranteed income stability or are in a financially healthy position not only need to consider their consumption but also will start to see their larger role in keeping the economy going—in ensuring the small businesses around them thrive. Our perception of our role as consumers will likely start to be expanded to include our responsibility for the small businesses around us. We’ll hopefully see savings rates increase after the pandemic, yet this may be counterbalanced with our sudden understanding of how our local economy operates.
The above are my wild hypotheses. I’m reading more on the 1918 Pandemic and the aftereffects of the Great Depression to understand how people emerge from abnormal times, and what it does to decision-making at a micro-level. If you’ve got any resources, please share them with me: etinosa@etinosaa.com. I’m also interested in the hypotheses of other behavioural scientists, economists and everyone else out there. Of course, stay safe (indoors), wash your hands often and rigorously, and check in (digitally) on the people around you.
Etinosa Agbonlahor is a behavioural economist. Etinosa is a personal finance enthusiast, writer, and fellow at the Royal Society of Arts. We encourage you to view more of her work at etinosaa.com.
Bring Your ‘Self’ to Workday: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Workplace
Courtesy of www.thebalancecareers.com
Philando Castile, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice; Michael Brown, Alton Sterling, Tarika Wilson
“At work, I struggled to keep it together; Alton Sterling, Philando Castile – those were the names and lives that played in my head. Concurrently, my peers were creating Bachelorette Brackets”
WOCinTech Chat. Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0).
Courtesy of www.forbes.com
Courtesy of cdn.lynda.com
Courtesy of postlethwaiteco.com
Black. Woman. Mother. Wife. Daughter. Sister. American. West Indian. Professional. Urban. Suburban. Socialite. Introvert. Friend. Colleague. Mentor. Mentee…These are just some of the pieces of me. Often times, one weighs more than the other; sometimes I trade one for another, and other times, I'm representing more than one piece of myself. This is intersectionality. The idea that we exist above labels, the concept that we can be and can care about more than one thing; even when they seem to conflict. However, because we have multiple versions of ourselves, how do we discern what and how much of it we can bring to the workplace?
The phenomenon of intersectionality is becoming more widely recognized, we are seeing more and more that people can hold on to roles and ideals while living in a completely different version of themselves. It’s like society is finally coming to terms with the fact that we can identify or be passionate about more than one thing at once.
At the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, I remember feeling a sense of conflict. I reject police brutality with all my being, and I wanted to support social justice. Simultaneously, my husband had just became a police officer, and I feared for his safety. I felt a sense of an identity crisis because I couldn't go around on my NWA tip, and I couldn't get with the Blue Lives Matter trope; worst yet being 'in the middle' is often viewed worse than choosing sides. I had to find my own middle ground on an issue that was so polarized at the time.
At work, I struggled to keep it together; Alton Sterling, Philando Castile – those were the names and lives that played in my head. Concurrently, my peers were creating Bachelorette Brackets. (Bachelorette Brackets, it’s the ‘March Madness’ but for ABC’s hit tv show, The Bachelorette). It didn’t feel fair, I was living in torment, while others were blissfully in oblivion. This resulted in reflection. As hard as it was for me, I couldn’t help but think how hard it was for my husband. In uniform, he is a police officer. In streetwear, he is just a black man.However, to me, he was still a police officer but in streetwear, because I still saw a man that won’t sit with his back to the door, or always evaluated points of entry and exits when we’re out leisurely; a man that would always err on the side of safety and caution. He was (and still is) my Batman, living with different versions of himself.
Having multiple versions of oneself, sometimes feels like managing different identities. Can we really bring it all to work? Should we? Workplaces are evolving, especially with startup companies leading with lifestyle elements in the workplace (i.e. fully stocked pantries, gym on site, day care, dog-friendly office). In tandem organizations are attempting efforts to be more inclusive, and there's a newfound recognition to create a culture where people can “bring their true selves to work". To that I say, which true self?
Code Switching
For many Black people, the self we bring to work, is the learned behaviors of navigating work culture through the structure and authority of school systems. For example, we tend to use our “School English” to which there are high regards for being "articulate", “well spoken” or"smart", almost like there was a different expectation. Outside of work; you’ll get hit with the AAVE, the jokes, the storytelling, memes and GIFs, etc. Code switching, a common concept among Black folks where we are taught not to bring our whole selves to places of work, for having the mere elements that make us who we are, be deemed as unprofessional. It goes beyond speech. It trickles into multiple facets of our lives, borderline infiltrating. There are people that won’t use their given names in their place of work. There are those that feel the need to dress-up, even on dress-down days. There's still that call to action to cover up the means in which we express ourselves, like tattoos and piercings, avoiding bold colors, wearing straight hair, the list goes on. While on the flip side, white social media influencers can get paid obnoxious amounts of money for blackfishing, appropriating Black culture by using make-up and hairstyles to look like women of color, very similar to the infamous Rachel Dolezal.
The double standard adds to the frustration that Black culture is only deemed good when white people participate; where as,we are simply looking for acknowledgement and acceptance of who we are. But for many people that have codeswitched for so long, in which its now ingrained in their being. You can say they’ve evolved into this new version of themselves, or one can argue that they’ve lost their sense of self. While I defer to the experts, as I’m not a Philosopher, I do feel to beg again, which self is true to bring to work?
Bias
Regardless of which self you present, judgement and bias are inevitable. While some unconscious and some blatant, we tend to form opinions by the name on the Resume, the ethnicity of the Interviewee, the dialect of the Employee, or the attire of the Leader.
DEI, has been a strong theme as of late, and I’d hate to call it a trend, but we know how this goes: Company A ends up on the news. Said company did something insensitive, racist, or phobic. The public reacts. The company makes a 'diversity hire' and implores unconscious bias training. Repeat. This is the cycle we’ve witnessed over the past couple of years.
“The organizations know who they are”
The elephant in the room has always been, why are companies reacting instead of being proactive? If varying perspectives were considered, and at the head of decision-making, there would be less backlash, therefore less ‘cancel-culture’. At the end of the day, it is good business to be a good business, and organizations need to determine and understand how they can create a culture where people matter.
Considering we tend to spend more time at work than anywhere else, how can the workplace environment be shaped to be more diverse and inclusive, therefore equitable?
Leaders:
Treat your employees the way you want to be treated.
Does everyone have a seat at the table? Have all voices been considered in decision-making? Is there a space for employees to bring forward their own ideas? #RepresentationMatters
Consult with reputable outside sources to implore cultural sensitivity and unconscious bias training to prevent incidents, not cure them.
Redact names on resumes. They’re not needed to evaluate qualifications.
Reduce barriers of entry for applications (i.e. Does this role really need an Ivy League education to get the job done?)
Promote work-life balance with better pay, flexible hours, remote working.
Create an environment for whole selves, (i.e. breastfeeding rooms with proper refrigeration, unisex bathrooms, pronoun preference)
Promote Employee Resource Groups. (i.e. LGBTQ Groups, Women at Work, Working Families, Ethnicity Groups, Lifestyle Groups)
Seek Mentees; make professional development a priority
Ask, and Listen.
Employees:
Speak up, and speak out. Create or utilize Employee Resource Groups to inspire change.
Seek Mentors; make professional growth a priority.
Be seen. “If you’re not offered a seat at the table, bring a folding chair" – Shirley Chisholm
Respect colleagues' ethnicities, religious holidays and affiliations, and customs
Determine your value, ask for what you deserve; nothing more and nothing less.
These are just some examples of actions we can take to be better Leaders and Employees. It’s important that both functions play their part for the workplace environment to be more productive and less toxic. While it may be nearly impossible to rid bias, we can strive to learn more about each other and to reduce the speed in which we form opinions. Let’s talk to each other, welcome each other, and learn from each other. Invite your whole self to your settings or put forward whichever identity of yourself you choose. The way we speak, dress, our name, where we come from, or live now, does not define us. Ultimately, how we treat others is what makes us who we are.
Sacred Black Spaces: Placemaking Through a Mobile Barbershop
En Root Mobile Barbershop, “It’s More Than Just A Haircut” - Oklahoma City, OK - Courtesy of Vanessa Morrison
The Black Man’s Sanctuary
While a boy’s first professional haircut is one of the many rites of passage he will experience throughout his lifetime, Black barbershops are much more than just places to get fades and edge-ups. Since the fruition of these spaces pre-antebellum period, Black barbershops have been one of the few safe and sustainable businesses that Blacks could own and gather in for culture and community. Coined “the Black man’s sanctuary” by distinguished public figures such as Ralph Ellison and Toni Morrison, barbershops serve as safe havens and stages for Black public life while fostering fellowship, connection, and much more on top of getting fresh.
The Black owned barbershop tells an important part of American history in the context of Black culture, entrepreneurship, and public space; and has long been due for more attention from urban planning academics and professionals. The Black barbershop organically congregates individuals and families in an enriching environment where people can intimately connect and have community. Even President Barack Obama was known for making visits to Black barbershops and beauty salons to strategically attract the Black vote. Other politicians have also utilized this culturally specific strategy knowing that when you’re in the Black barbershop you’re in the heart of the Black community.
Infrastructure Challenges
While these spaces serve as critical cultural assets in their respective communities, many of them can be difficult for some to access. In my community (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), these shops oftentimes exist within an urban fabric of disinvestment, blight, and dated infrastructure such as broken sidewalks, awkwardly and dangerously placed public transit stops, and more. The elderly, physically challenged, and public transit dependent are disproportionately faced with these obstacles and barriers when orienting their way to the barbershop. These barriers not only make it challenging to access these professional services, but can isolate people from the cultural connections that take place specifically in these spaces.
The pictures below displays the physical challenges pedestrians must endure for basic services; from left-right, they include: walkways with major tripping hazards and flooding; bus stops with no ADA accommodations, pedestrian sidewalk, or basic amenities; and poor catch basin drainage facilities making it impossible for pedestrians to cross.
“The Black owned barbershop tells an important part of American history in context of Black culture, entrepreneurship, and public spaces; and has long been due for more attention from urban planning academics and professionals.”
The beginning of a journey for a mobile barbershop.
The final product of En Root Mobile Barbershop with customers.
Place-Making
My once research project and now business, En Root Mobile Barbershop Company, explores place-making in Black barbershop spaces through the operation of a mobile, ADA accessible, 3-chair barbershop. The mission of En Root is to not only eliminate obstacles and barriers by bringing professional barbering services to neighborhoods, but to also to extend the physical space and culture of the barbershop to communities.
It’s More Than Just A Haircut
After quickly observing in my research that barbershop patrons go to these spaces for much more than just a haircut, using Photovoice and asset mapping research methodologies I critically explored these lived experiences further to further understand what people’s journeys were like when trying to access these spaces. My now-fiancé was building out En Root during my studies and we were able to reference my findings to utilize En Root to its best and highest use in specific community spaces.
Breaking Barriers
My research revealed that because many of the Black barbershops in my community exist within forgotten areas of the city, that many people physically struggled getting to the barbershop. Participants I interviewed did as much as catch three buses and walked a quarter of a mile, rode their bike through stray dog-ridden neighborhoods, and ran across high speed streets with no crosswalk. These barriers collectively leave some patrons with little to no accessibility to these spaces, particularly for those who live in more rural areas. However, although the journey to the shop was cumbersome for most it was worth it to have access to this space and experience on a regular basis; further speaking volumes to the importance of these spaces.
Needs Assessment - Site Analysis
With these findings we developed a weekly parking model to reach different areas of our city that lacked a Black barbershop space. We solidified four different locations with property owners and collaborated with each location to compliment their business/community outreach efforts. One of our parking locations was at a “second chance” school where adults could go to earn their GED, special certifications, learn how to read, and more. Our barbers spoke with their students about the importance of professionalism and grooming, and created a space on their site where staff and students could have a community space outside of the classroom. Another parking location was at an apartment complex where we gave current and prospective residents discounted rates on services to incentivize their interest.
In our first five months we conducted 1,200 appointments with 219 new clients and traveled over 4,500 miles to reach these communities, not including special and charitable events we collaborated on such as a teen conference for foster youth, bringing the shop a foster group home and a homeless day shelter on a recurring basis, and various back to school events.
The Beauty of Black Barbershops
While there isn’t much research or documented history of Black barbershop spaces, the significance and contributions these spaces have and continue to bring to communities is more than evident. Urban planning professionals and academics are missing an opportunity when they are not tapping into these spaces as a means of community engagement, trust-building, and guidance in their efforts to make cities more inclusive for all. Additionally, with many everyday services going mobile, such as: restaurants, boutiques, pet grooming, and more, Black barbershops are faced with a unique opportunity to adapt their services to their clients’ convenience needs while sharing the culture with the rest of the community.
For More Information, please visit En Root Mobile Barbershop’s website: www.enrootokc.com
IG: @enrooteokc
All photos are courtesy of Vanessa Morrison.
Meet Chadd Roberts: A True Bicyclist of New York City
Chadd in Rockaway Beach, Queens, N.Y. - Courtesy of Chadd Roberts
While studing urban planning in college you have probably came across the book: Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne. It is a collection of Byrne’s thoughts about the urban realm, in cities across the world, from his perspective as a bicyclist- the good, the bad and the ugly.
When we think about bicycling in New York, we often think of Citibike used in the streets of Manhattan for short work and leisure trips. It is rare that we meet people who extensively use this mode of transportation in the city’s outer boroughs.
Who is Chadd Roberts?
With approximately 700 square miles of residential, commercial, industrial, Chadd’s pictures proves that New York City is far from homogoneous and documents the true cosmopolitan characteristic of the city.
Chadd identifies as Afro-Caribbean. He was born and raised on a little autonomous island in the Caribbean called Grenada where he has spent his adolescent years in Grenada Boys’ Secondary School and then T.A. Marry Show Community College.
After leaving Grenada, he became a U.S Navy Corpsman with 6 years of tenure.
Some of his main hobbies includes playing billiard, video games, hiking, swimming at the beach, recreational photography, biking and exploring various waterfronts.
Bicycling for a Living
There is no doubt that the bicycling population appears to increase due to the expansion of the shared economy. We now see cities and other municipalities passing complete street resolutions and installing bicycle infrastructure. Bicyclists like Chadd depends on his bicycle for work and leisure. His pictures provides a bicyclist’s experience not only in Manhattan, but also in the the outer boroughs. Chadd works as a bartender at Japan Village, a bustling new market in Brooklyn’s Industry City. Chadd also works as a courier - using his bicycle - for Postmates and Uber Eats. By using Google Map’s timeline Chadd was able to record his bicycling routes within 24 hour periods. Below, you would see the distances Chadd has taken. In one day, Chadd has bicycled for an amazing 52 miles within 7 1/2 hours traversing throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. In another trip, Chadd has bicycled between Far Roackaway, Queens, Brooklyn and Midtown, Manhattan for 35 miles and walked another 5 1/2 miles for a total of 4 hours. During his third trip, he has bicycled for 28 miles within a 3 1/2 hour period during the West Indian Day parade on Labor Day 2018.
Urban Art
“I love the independence of being able to pedal and go places by my own effort; seeing life unfold while I’m on the road and experiencing new things every day.”
Chadd’s journey throughout the streets of New York displays a vibrant public art gallery that expresses the characteristics of everyday people. Graffiti, murals, or some like to call it “Urban Art” is one of the best examples of self-expressionism. As we can see through Chadd’s pictures, many artists take to the streets to glorify their love for Dragon Ball Z, Puerto Rican patriotism, humanity, mysticism, Black pride, or simple warm color palettes to brighten a neighborhood.
When asked, which neighborhood stands out the most, in terms of character, history, architecture, and culture, Chadd replied “ I enjoy bike riding through all the neighborhoods, but so far, mostly for the art and food, I love riding through Bushwick.”
The placement of the above various murals and graffiti art was just as interesting as the art itself. At times, it seems like technological distractions can prevent us from fully engaging with our environment. Much of the art are in conspicuous locations while others were located at high building facades. Some engulfed entire building facades while others were simply on moving trucks as though they were mobile art galleries. Chadd’s Instagram page provides a great collection of all the public art he comes across during his trips. You can see more at: @supersaiyan_aaron
Transportation
In a city where 56% of commuters take public transit, 26% drive, 10% walk. 4.1% work at home, 1.2% bike, and the remaining either carpool or taxi to work, the City of New York has attempted to accommodate safety, mobility and accessibility for all modes of transportation throughout the five boroughs (U.S Census). A lot of steam has been picking up for the loud minority of bicycle riders. Every year, the city is investing time and effort into protecting cyclists. In fact, according to NYC Department of Transportation the city continue to implement 50 lane miles of bicycle facilities a year, including at least ten lane miles of protected bicycle lanes and create or enhance 75 lane miles of bicycle facilities in Priority Bicycle Districts by 2022.
Do you think the city has done a good job promoting the safety and welfare for bicyclists?
Chadd agrees the city is doing a great job to protect cyclists. “I think we can see this by the addition bike lane miles, Vision Zero program (including free helmets, bells and lights), and the city’s collaboration with the Ghost Bikes campaign to raise awareness for bike safety.” Chadd also mentioned, “ ever since the terrorist truck attack that mainly affected cyclists on the West Side highway, the city added bollards, and other protective barriers at vulnerable areas to separate vehicular traffic from bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
What recommendations would you make for the city to improve bicyclist's safety?
Chadd believes its up to cyclists, drivers and pedestrians to stay alert, mindful and aware of other modes of transportation. “I think the city is going in the right direction when it comes to safety we can’t be overly dependent on them for it. As long as people are being vigilant and aware of their surroundings whether as a pedestrian, motorist or the cyclist themselves, they’ll be better off prepared to avoid mishaps.” After all, a little compassion goes a long way.
Check Out More Photos from Chadd’s Cycling Journeys Below!
Amazon Played Y'all Part 2
Newark, New Jersey - One of Amazon’s Top Contenders for their New Headquarters - Photo by Michael Moloney on Unsplash
Imagine a game where all the players are asked to show their best cards, and then the dealer selects who would help him take the pot. Would you play?
Cities across the countries showed their best hand and Amazon selected the one that best served their very own interest. Let's face it, Amazon can thrive in any city it chooses to be in, and it had the opportunity to be on the right side of history and make ground breaking news by choosing a city like Detroit, who has been struggling to overcome the blight of the auto industry. Or if East Coast was where it was at, Newark, NJ should have received the bid. Newark has the potential to be an anchor for a major industry and the capacity for growth, as it has the space, with unused or underdeveloped land; and the people, with reputable colleges and universities like Seton Hall and Rutgers Newark Campus.
The tech giant had a chance to be philanthropic; simply because they can afford to. Granted, they don’t have to, but surely one can remember how they managed to not only survive, but grow, back when they weren’t even making a profit. They missed a chance to pay it forward; and once they become too big for their britches, they risk Americans canceling them almost as fast as Black people canceled Kanye.
But if their sights were set on NYC, as it is the greatest city in the world; (Say otherwise to any New Yorker, and see what happens); they had the opportunity to make a great city even better. Because with greatness comes major flaws. NYC is in critical condition when it comes to poverty, lack of affordable housing, and disparaging transportation.
That’s why NYC should not have entered the contest. If Amazon wanted to choose NYC on nothing other than its greatness, it could have been a win-win for both parties. While a company like Amazon setting up a headquarters or even a large satellite location is likely to cause disruption anyway, it’s the granting of incentives that makes this deal so much worse.
At first glance, sacrificing 1.5B in revenue for a $10 billion return sounds, well, smart. Without even calculating the multiplier effect, surely the benefits will be the gift that keeps on giving.
However, $10 billion, over the course of 20 years, in projected tax revenue is not enough . New Yorkers need solid economic policy to promote social mobility. People of color need real opportunities for advancement. Amazon should not be and would not have been the answer to all of NYC's problems, but it could have created a pathway and set the standard of philanthropic behaviors for large corporations.
What Deal(s) Should Have Been Made?
Commitment to Education
There should be a partnership with CUNY for apprenticeships to include on-the-job training. Many middle-class families cannot afford to have college students taking on post-graduate internships. An apprenticeship would allow for concurrent work and school and create a pathway for a technical trade. All apprenticeships should be combined with free-tuition assistance for participants that do not qualify for the Excelsior scholarship.
Commitment to Diversity
Amazon should not only employ, but commit to having Leadership positions for people of color and minorities. Having diverse people at the table not only grants opportunities to those that need it most, it also ensures that all points of views are considered before decisions are made. No company wants to encounter issues like H&M or Starbucks because of a lack of diversity and inclusion.
Commitment to Economic Development
Long island City is already stressed with high rises and real estate at astronomical prices; especially since the rezoning efforts under the Bloomberg Administration from manufacturing to mixed-use. This deal could have been a great opportunity to bring large companies back into suburbia, and lessen the concentration of high paying jobs being in proximity to Manhattan. Shorter commutes would mean for happier and more productive employees. Other neighborhoods to consider could have been College Point, or Jamaica, Queens; neighborhoods in East or South Brooklyn; or areas in the Bronx.
NYC did not secure the bag
Ultimately, NYC signed up to lose $1.5B before it was even earned. $1.5 billion dollars in subsidies may very well be peanuts to a company that values at a trillion dollars. But 1.5 billion in lost revenue means the world to a city that lacks affordable housing, struggling transit, and a wide wealth gap.
How could $1.5 billion in tax revenue help NYC now?
Transit
Circumvent or delay the planned MTA fare hike of 2019 and 2022.
Expedite the projected $477 million repairs on the L train that will displace residents and small businesses alike.
Fix the signal problems commuters experience daily, especially during rush hour.
Housing
Create more affordable housing units for the hard-working New Yorkers that pay more than 40% of their income on rent, or put up with the roommate that forgets to buy toilet paper.
Programs to assist New Yorkers through home ownership.
Sustainable pathways to curb homelessness.
Education
Provide free after-school for all children who attend public schools from kindergarten to 12th grade.
Increase in pay for teachers.
Additional funding for school supplies, so parents don’t have to buy tissues and hand sanitizers for classrooms.
Prison Reform
Release folks held on bail for minutia dollar amounts.
Share your thoughts! How could NYC spend 1.5B?
Amazon Played Y'all Part 1
Long Island City, Queens - “N” Train Heading into Queensboro Plaza’s Station amongst the neighborhood’s new highrises.
All year, we saw major cities across the country acting like kids trying to be picked for a game of dodgeball, to become the hub for Amazon’s new headquarters. Amazon is a powerhouse of a company, it has millions of consumers, hundreds of thousands of employees, and Jeff Bezos’s wealth makes the President seethe at his $156B net worth. (Yes billions)
On its grandiose hunt for a new headquarters, cities laid out the red carpet to attract Amazon’s newest headquarters. It was quite a spectacle as billions of dollars in incentives and subsidies were thrown at the feet of Amazon in an effort to court the company. NYC, unnecessarily, participated in the contest offering short of a blood sample to get the tech giant’s attention. Even Governor Cuomo jokingly suggested changing his name to Amazon Cuomo if that is what it takes to win Amazon’s heart; all while not disclosing how much of the city’s wallet he was willing to open up to the company.
Ultimately, NYC runs the risk of Amazon being the guest that eats all your food, and uses your hairbrush; while your left broke, tired, and with an empty fridge.
J-O-B-S. A single word has the country going wild for Amazon. Employment is usually the main ingredient that brings the depth, the flavor, and adds to the presentation of the plate. Employment, especially jobs with higher wages, means greater tax revenue. Greater tax revenue gives the city more money to play with to allocate towards policies that matter. It also means assumes consumer spending, which in turn means more revenue via things like sales tax.
That all sounds great, so what is wrong with Amazon in NYC? Giving tax breaks to corporations to earn tax revenue on its employees makes you question who the government represents. Re-directing valuable and limited resources to a single company is terrible economic policy that can do more harm than good. Especially for low to middle income constituents, and people of color.
Amazon promises 25,000 jobs, which sounds incredible since low to middle-income New Yorkers need diversity in workplace options with opportunities for a living wage, and social mobility. But how many of those jobs will be given to actual New Yorkers? Especially New Yorkers of color? NYC already is a hub for transplants, and telecommuters across different industries such as finance and fashion. Bringing e-commerce to NYC will definitely add to the sexiness of the city; but not if we have to pay for it and not if we cannot demand a commitment to minorities.
With a name like Amazon moving in, there’s the potential for an influx of people willing to move to NYC too. This can further exacerbate NYC’s housing crisis. Simply, more people require more housing; in which the latter is something NYC just does not have. The city already is in desperate need of creative solutions to combat the umbrella problem of lack of affordable housing, and its spokes of homelessness and gentrification. All which disproportionately affects people of color.
Additionally, the strain on New York City’s transportation system will be overwhelming. Ask any New Yorker their biggest gripe of the city, and the first thing may very well be the MTA”. Between DiBlasio and Cuomo playing divorcees who don’t want to accept responsibility for the failing transit system, adding more people will add to the congestion and frustration of commuting in the city. More people on the same resources will put a stronger strain on the system. Adding more people in Long Island City, will put a greater burden on the G line which may already crack under the pressure of the L line the MTA plans to take down. All while placing a cap on ride-sharing.
They say, you have to spend money to make money, but what’s the price of the livelihood of current constituents? Amazon is a giant, but NYC is the Big Apple; greater negotiations could have been made to ensure New Yorkers actually won something from this deal.