How can you address social justice in green infrastructure planning?

2 Apply equity principles

Equity is a concept that refers to the fair and just distribution of resources, opportunities, and outcomes among different groups of people. Equity is not the same as equality, which means treating everyone the same regardless of their differences. Equity recognizes that different people have different needs, circumstances, and histories, and that some may face systemic barriers or disadvantages. To apply equity principles in green infrastructure planning, you need to consider how your project can address the root causes of environmental injustice, such as poverty, racism, or discrimination. You also need to ensure that your project benefits the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, and that it does not create or worsen any inequities or conflicts.

3 Co-design with the community

Co-design is a process that involves collaborating with the community throughout the planning and design stages of a project. Co-design is not just about consulting or informing the community, but about empowering and involving them in decision-making and problem-solving. Co-design can help you create green infrastructure that is responsive, relevant, and respectful to the community's context, culture, and identity. It can also help you build trust, ownership, and stewardship among the community members, and foster social cohesion and participation. To co-design with the community, you need to use inclusive and accessible methods, such as workshops, surveys, interviews, mapping, storytelling, or games.

4 Monitor and evaluate the outcomes

Monitoring and evaluation are essential steps to assess the performance and impact of your green infrastructure project. Monitoring and evaluation can help you measure the changes and benefits that your project has brought to the environment, the community, and the economy. They can also help you identify the gaps, challenges, and unintended consequences that your project may have caused or encountered. By monitoring and evaluating the outcomes, you can learn from your experience, improve your practice, and communicate your results. To monitor and evaluate the outcomes, you need to use appropriate and reliable indicators, methods, and tools, such as surveys, sensors, models, or reports.

5 Learn and share best practices

Learning and sharing best practices are important ways to advance your knowledge and skills in green infrastructure planning. Learning and sharing best practices can help you discover new ideas, approaches, and solutions that have been tested and proven in different contexts and settings. They can also help you network and collaborate with other professionals, organizations, and institutions that share your vision and goals. By learning and sharing best practices, you can inspire and influence others, and contribute to the field of green infrastructure and social justice. To learn and share best practices, you need to use various platforms and channels, such as publications, webinars, podcasts, or social media.