Equitable Cities LLC

On December 10 and 11, U.S. Department of Transportation convened representatives from the 2022 #ThrivingCommunitiesProgram (TCP), including 64 communities across the country and 4 national capacity builder teams. USDOT leaders remarked on the impacts of this program, TCP communities shared their stories about their projects, and capacity builder teams provided technical resources to communities. SUMC´s Director of Federal Programs, Alvaro Villagran, AICP, hosted a World Cafe roundtable session and supported conversations about #communityengagement and funding strategies with the TCP Complete Neighborhood cohort supported by RMI, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), Equitable Cities LLC, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, and SUMC. Learn more about SUMC's work in Decatur, IL, as a part of USDOT's Thriving Communities Program on our Mobility Learning Center: https://lnkd.in/gH7uB95H

Equitable Cities' Founder and CEO, Charles T. Brown, MPA, CPD, continues to lead the way in advancing equitable transportation! As a member of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Working Group, Charles contributed to the recently published Recommendations of the EV Working Group, which outline key strategies to accelerate EV adoption, improve accessibility, and ensure equity. They released a follow-up to its April 2024 report with "Recommendations of the Electric Vehicle Working Group – 2024.” Key highlights from the recommendations include:  -Public Education & Awareness Campaigns  -Grid Integration  -Research & Development This report is another step toward building a cleaner, more equitable transportation future. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gisFDChr  #EVcharging #EVs #EVWorkingGroup #EVpolicy #EVeducation 

Today, we’re launching the third edition of the Urban Bikeway Design Guide–the first update in over a decade! The new manual elevates planning from building great individual bike lanes to building great complete bike networks. It includes detailed policy, planning, and project development guidance, and shows how to center equity and access in every step of planning and implementing a bike network. The Guide points the way for cities to plan and implement bike networks that account for the many different types of people who may be using the street. See more: https://lnkd.in/eDFR8wPR

The development of protected bike lanes inherently supports equitable urban planning by providing safer transportation options for all community members, including those who rely on cycling as a primary mode of transportation. For more details, you can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eRPEgcFG

Spotlight on Our Work | Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Training At Equitable Cities, we’re proud to partner with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) on a transformative initiative: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Training. This project empowers communities to create safer, more inclusive public spaces through innovative urban planning strategies that reduce crime and enhance quality of life. By integrating evidence-based practices and prioritizing equity, this training helps build environments where everyone feels secure and supported. Interested in learning more or bringing CPTED training to your community? Visit our website for details: https://lnkd.in/erUzgcnE #EquitableCities #CPTED #UrbanPlanning #CrimePrevention #SafeCommunities

A recent CBS News article explores the projected trends for home equity in 2025, including a potential slowdown in growth due to increased housing inventory and shifting market dynamics. While these trends may seem purely financial, they carry significant implications for low-income communities and Black and Brown households, which already face systemic barriers in housing equity and wealth building. For many, home equity is a critical asset tied to health outcomes—influencing access to safe housing, education, and generational wealth. Disparities in homeownership and equity growth perpetuate cycles of inequality, exacerbating health disparities tied to housing insecurity and economic stress. As we enter 2025, how can policymakers, urban planners, and public health professionals address these challenges? What strategies can we use to ensure equity in homeownership opportunities and support wealth-building for historically marginalized groups? Share your thoughts, ideas, and strategies in the comments below. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eKBhAueE #EquitableCities #PublicHealth #HousingEquity #UrbanPlanning #HealthForAll

🚦 Exciting News! 🚦 We’re thrilled to announce that Equitable Cities LLC, as a proud sub-consultant to CBB Transportation Engineers + Planners has been recognized as part of the APA “Outstanding Planning Practice Award” for the Gateway to Safer Roadways: St. Louis Regional Safety Action Plan! This prestigious award, presented at the APA Winter Workshop, is a testament to the incredible collaboration and dedication of the project team. Together with East-West Gateway Council of Governments, CBB, and fellow sub-consultants CDI and Excel Business Concepts, we’ve worked tirelessly to advance #equity, #safety and #connectivity across the St. Louis region. We’re deeply grateful for East-West Gateway’s leadership and for everyone who participated in the engagement efforts that made this plan possible. This award fuels our continued commitment to creating safer, more #equitable communities. Our colleague Xavier Lofton, MPH is shown in the picture accepting the award on behalf of Equitable Cities. He played a key role in developing equitable and inclusive safety strategies for the Plan. #AwardWinningWork #EquitableCities #UrbanPlanning #TransportationSafety #StLouis #CommunityEngagement

What does a thriving community look like? For us, it’s one where equity, sustainability, and accessibility go hand-in-hand. Through the HUD Thriving Communities Program, we work closely with local governments and communities to create strategies for equitable development, accessible housing, and mobility. See how we’re making an impact: https://lnkd.in/e5mFvBDA #ThrivingCommunities #EquityInAction #CommunityDevelopment

DHCD today announced the publication of a baseline report from its new Division of Just Communities. The report is the first formal publication of the new division, stating its mission and vision, detailing information on racial disparities in Maryland housing and neighborhood conditions, as well as the current and ongoing work of the Department to address inequities. To read the full press release and report, visit https://bit.ly/3Bbzf7j

Bicycling is more than just a mode of transportation—it’s a pathway to equity, empowerment, and community. While at the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University, Charles T. Brown, MPA, CPD conducted research on the experiences of Black and Latino women in urban cycling. This project sheds light on the unique barriers these communities face, from access to infrastructure to cultural perceptions, while highlighting opportunities to promote inclusivity and representation in active transportation. Learn more about the findings and how we’re working to ensure cycling is accessible for all: https://lnkd.in/ed5uGfXd #ActiveTransportation #EquityInCycling #RepresentationMatters #UrbanPlanning #Research