Advocacy, our ethical obligation APA Virginia 2015 Conference Garet Prior Senior Planner, Town of Ashland (804)

“The massing of voices protesting racial discrimination have roused this nation to the need to rectify racial and other social injustices.” Davidoff, 1965

“We shall seek social justice by working to expand choice and opportunity for all persons, recognizing a special responsibility to plan for the needs of the disadvantaged and to promote racial and economic integration. We shall urge the alteration of policies, institutions, and decisions that oppose such needs.” AICP Ethics Principle A1F

Social Justice Equality EquityAdvocacy IntegrationSegregation

Planning is a pursuit of distributive justice, concerned with equal choice/opportunity (e.g. equality). “We shall seek social justice by working to expand choice and opportunity…”

In calling out a “special responsibility” for certain groups (racially and economically disadvantaged), we take on an equity role that pushes us to give weighted or “special” effort. “…Recognizing a special responsibility to plan for the needs of the disadvantaged and to promote racial and economic integration…”

Finally, in “urging” alteration or change, history tells us that advocacy - more than an urge - will be required to achieve our desired outcomes. …We shall urge the alteration of policies, institutions, and decisions that oppose such needs.”

If planners are ethically instructed to be advocates, then how do we construct our profession, workplaces, careers? Main Question

We need to understand the following truths: 1. Advocacy begins with intentionality; setting goals and working to build coalitions to achieve desired outcomes. 2.Advocacy is furthered when we use education to empower others to become engaged and impact decisions. 3.Advocacy flourishes when we understand social structures and how individuals, especially ourselves, change. Main Answer

We need to understand the following truths: 1. Advocacy begins with intentionality; setting goals and working to build coalitions to achieve desired outcomes. 2.Advocacy is furthered when we use education to empower others to become engaged and impact decisions. 3.Advocacy flourishes when we understand social structures and how individuals, especially ourselves, change. Main Answer

We need to understand the following truths: 1. Advocacy begins with intentionality; setting goals and working to build coalitions to achieve desired outcomes. 2.Advocacy is furthered when we use education to empower others to become engaged and impact decisions. 3.Advocacy flourishes when we understand social structures and how individuals, especially ourselves, change. Main Answer

Central Author’s Referenced Norman KrumholzPaul Davidoff

 Cleveland planning department’s central goal  Problems with neutrality  Expected outcomes to following rational or traditional path  Embracing the political process and expanding the role of planning 1. Advocacy begins with intentionality; setting goals and working to build coalitions to achieve desired outcomes.

Economic Development

Housing Affordability

Staff Analysis & Reports

 Inclusion means citizens can response and have influence  Empowerment education impacts process  Knowledge = power  Creating diversity in planning 2. Advocacy is furthered when we use education to empower others to become engaged and impact the decisions.

Community Organizing Tools

Krumholtz’s Model

Leverage University/Local Resources

 Planning solutions need to impact structural change  Knowledge of social structures and change  Role of relationship and trust 3. Advocacy flourishes when we understand social structures and how individuals (especially ourselves) change.

Connection to God/oneself

Connection to others

Connection to society

Challenge for Planning Adopt AICP Ethics Principle A1F as central organizing goal for department/firm.

Challenge for Planning Planning universities (VT, UVA, VCU) and professional organizations (APA) need to offer technical training in community organizing, negotiation, lobbying, and other community capacity building skills.

Challenge for Planning Planners need to get out of the office and form intentional relationships with underserved populations.

Challenge for Planning Planning organizations need to broaden scope to allow staff to perform multiple disciplines with underserved groups to build relationships.

Advocacy, our ethical obligation Questions and Comments Garet Prior Senior Planner, Town of Ashland (804)