A Voice at the Table

UPLIFT Underrepresented Voices
Diversity and representation in planning and design extends beyond
tokenizing people based on politicized demographic markers (i.e.
race, gender, age, sexuality). Learning from Black womxn teaches
us that these identities do not holistically define a person. Elevating
underrepresented voices must also consider diversity in lived
experience and thinking.
Here, we must acknowledge that we all hold biases and blindspots
in how we understand and experience space. Uplifting
underrepresented voices helps to challenge and evolve from
existing processes, values, and systems that were designed to
exclude. Building a team of designers and decision-makers who
represent diverse narrative, thinking, and identity helps to foster
more innovative design solutions that address issues through various
perspectives.
We must also challenge and expand who we consider stakeholders,
designers, and planners of our cities. The experts and holders of
the most inventive ideas may oftentimes not be the people with the
highest titles or accolades. They may not even consider themselves a
planner or designer at all. The more proactive we are about elevating
underrepresented voices, the more we broaden the coalition for
support, engagement, and trust within communities.
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