Equity
Equity refers to fairness in process and outcomes such that everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their identity (e.g., racial and economic background, sexual and gender identity, or zip code and birthplace). Here, fairness is about redressing wrongs, not just providing the same opportunities, i.e. equality (adapted from Urban Institute’s internal guide on equity definitions). Typically, equity is achieved by prioritizing processes and outcomes that give special attention to the historical reasons underlying policies or programs that privileged some groups and disadvantaged others.
Principles Applied
Environmental Health
Leads to lower incidence of serious health conditions. Historically marginalized communities are disproportionately burdened by environmental health hazards and deserve greater access to clean air, water, and soil and suitable climate.
Access to Resources
Providing people access to resources, money, and nature supports their livelihoods, health and well-being.
Fundamental Needs
Equitable allocation of and access to fundamental needs like communal safe spaces and respect increases a community’s ability to cope with uncertainty, participate in shared decision-making, and prepare for the future.
Representation
Meaningful involvement of marginalized communities in decision-making is essential to ensure outcomes reflect the needs and priorities of populations historically and systemically excluded from place-based investments.
Durability
Having resources to withstand financial, climate, and other stressors strengthens communities and enhances their health in a way that will reduce the negative impacts of present and future challenges.
Recovery
Incorporating historic complexities to reduce vulnerabilities ensures that recovery of communities doesn’t become just a return to the previous state of inequity.