Equity in Action: Navigating Challenges and Innovations in Urban Planning Practice

Session 9C | Friday | 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM (PT)

The 2021 revised AICP Code of Ethics provides strong justification for planners to frame their work with an equity lens. But what does this mean and how can we know when we are doing it? This interactive session begins with an overview of what equity in planning is. It then showcases a variety of examples and viewpoints from the public, private, and education sectors to dig into the questions of implementation, measuring, and monitoring in the context of community engagement and assessment. It concludes with a discussion on navigating discussions with elected officials and residents who may be resistant to decisions that result in more equitable outcomes that support historically marginalized groups.

Tamara Laninga, AICP

Associate Professor, Western Washington University - Bellingham

Dr. Tamara Laninga, AICP, is an associate professor in the Urban and Environmental Planning & Policy Department at Western Washington University (WWU) and the Academic Program Director for the accredited Urban Planning and Sustainable Development major. She teaches courses in land use regulations, history of planning, community development, and planning studio. She has over a decade of experience facilitating community/student-engaged partnerships. Dr. Laninga was trained in the “Campus Equity and Inclusion in STEM” workshop series, is co-chair of the department’s Diversity Committee, deploys the voluntary DEI course evaluation questions in courses each quarter, and integrates historically underrepresented voices in course content. As an advocate for students, Dr. Laninga facilitates professional opportunities in urban planning. Together they have successfully received several Sustainability, Equity, and Justice Fund grants to attend regional and national planning conferences.

Elizabeth de Regt Erickson, AICP

City of Bellingham

Elizabeth Erickson, AICP, AIA, LEED AP ND is a Senior Planner at the City of Bellingham, WA. She worked as an architect and urban planner in the private sector before joining the public sector (City of Bellevue prior to Bellingham) to work on long-range planning issues, particularly related to affordable housing, Comprehensive Plan amendments, and Periodic Updates. Her background in the private sector working at a variety of design scales combines with her experience working on policy issues both as a consultant and as a city staff member. Elizabeth uses this diverse background to better understand development issues, land use policy, and how to work with the public. Her passion lies in creating livable, vibrant, and sustainable urban environments for everyone to experience.

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Jasmine E. Fast, AICP Candidate

Associate Planner, Jones Engineers, Inc.

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