Supporting a Racial Justice Initiative for Urban Development and Infrastructure in the United States
Understanding the role of engineering practices in perpetuating historical injustices is crucial for creating informed policies and interventions that address systemic inequalities and work toward a more equitable future.
Although there is extensive research available on redlining practices, the Federal Housing Act, the Highway Act, and Urban Renewal Programs, there has been comparatively less focus on the contribution of engineering practices and engineers themselves in historically perpetuating these injustices. This gap in understanding has led to a limited awareness of the enduring impact of these practices on present-day inequalities.
This report aimed to support Engineering Change Lab-USA in exploring the impact of engineering practices on racial equity in various domains such as transportation systems, water infrastructure, broadband access, gentrification, park accessibility, and climate change. A historical review was conducted into how the field of engineering has influenced racial injustice and justice within urban development and infrastructure in the United States.
This project will contribute towards a larger Pilot Project for engineering practice related to urban development, housing, and infrastructure with a targeted community. Exploring the specific ways in which engineering practices have contributed to racial injustice.
