How Do You Measure Equity?

With greater attention to social equity in recent years has come a proliferation of new mapping tools and indicators to help planners identify underserved communities. However, understanding whether prioritized communities may be helped or harmed by plans and investments requires more information – which may not be captured by existing tools or fit neatly into census tracts on a map – and interpretation. It may not always be possible to assess impacts and benefits based on geographic location alone.

This presentation introduces strategies to use existing mapping tools and indicators or develop new ones to center equity in technical analyses, plan development, and performance measurement. Presenters describe the use of indicators to measure displacement, housing affordability, and resilience, among other outcomes. Drawing on their experiences in climate adaptation, transportation, open space, and land-use planning, they offer a range of examples that support cross-pollination across practices. Participants representing a breadth of experience and knowledge meet new colleagues and learn from each other. Leave with new contacts, tools, and ideas to translate equity principles into measurable outcomes.

NPC Peer Reviewers assigned this presentation a learning level of Intermediate. For more on learning-level descriptions, visit our General Information Page.