2000115-Strengthening-Communities-with-Neighborhood-Data

The Regional Equity Atlas
Using Data for City and Regional Strategies 251
In the aftermath of its victories on the regional framework plan, CLF
focused on implementing the adopted regional policies and began to
frame its work more explicitly in terms of sustainability, defined as was
popular at the time, as the three Es: the environment, the economy, and
equity. It was during this period that the coalition saw an opportunity
to make a unique and substantial contribution to the regional policy
discussion by focusing on equity, which was thought to be the least
understood of the three Es. Moreover, CLF believed that the kinds of
smart growth policies that had been adopted in Metro’s regional framework
plan (with CLF’s encouragement) weren’t adequate to addressing
the inequities in the region.
In addition, CLF wanted to build on Orfield’s Metropolitics analysis
to create an approach that would harness the analytic and graphic
power of mapping to construct an “equity atlas.” Thus, in 2003, CLF,
in partnership with the Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies and
the Population Research Center at Portland State University, launched
a ground-breaking initiative to create the nation’s first regional equity
atlas. CLF saw the equity atlas as an opportunity to build on its success
in using objective information to advocate for livability causes. Portland
State University provided credibility as a neutral provider of data and
technical capabilities.
Defining Equity
Equity is an amorphous notion that requires definition. The definition
that CLF developed was derived through a participatory process among
its members and community allies and leaders (particularly targeting
communities of color) that resulted in a trio of aspirations for the region.
An equitable region would be one in which (1) all residents would have
access to opportunities for meeting their basic needs and advancing their
health and well-being (access to good jobs, transportation choices, safe
and stable housing, a good education, quality health care, a range of
parks and natural areas, vibrant public spaces, and healthful foods);
(2) the benefits and burdens of growth and change would be fairly
shared among the region’s communities; and (3) all the region’s residents
and communities would be fully involved as equal partners in public