Advancing an Equitable Field

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The topic of planning for equity is one that is multi-faceted and of growing concern throughout the field of planning. In response, the American Planning Association initiated the development of a new policy guide to address the issue of planning for equity. Adopted in 2019, the Planning for Equity Policy Guide establishes APA’s official principles and practices on the topic. From 2017 to 2019, Lynn served as the co-chair for effort which involved leading a working group of close to 30 planners from across the country in the research, writing, and editing of the guide as well as an outreach to field that engaged hundreds of planners and allies.

KABOOM! is a national nonprofit that works to end playspace inequity. For good. KABOOM! works amplify the power of communities to build inspiring playspaces that spark unlimited opportunities for every kid, everywhere. Lynn M. Ross joined the KABOOM! Board of Directors in 2020 to support this work.

Next City is a nonprofit news organization that believes journalists have the power to amplify solutions and help spread them from one city to the next city. Next City’s mission is to inspire greater economic, environmental, and social justice in cities and their civic-minded reporting makes urban places more effective, equitable and sustainable. Lynn M. Ross joined the Next City Board of Directors in 2020 to support this mission.

Spaces & Places is a grassroots network of urban planners, policymakers, and designers formed in 2016 to amplify work on the issues affecting communities of color that are too often not fully recognized or addressed by professional urban planning and design communities. This work has resulted in a series of ‘unconference’ convenings held each year.  From 2017 to 2019, Lynn led the fundraising and partnerships work to support Spaces & Places.

Urbanists of color are significantly underrepresented in the fields of planning, design, architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture. In 2017, Lynn created the #urbanistleadersofcolor hashtag and @ULOCnetwork to help identify and amplify the voices and work of urbanists of color on social media platforms. Work is underway to establish a platform to (1) build the urbanist leaders of color network; (2) continue to amplify the voices and work of urbanist leaders of color; and (3) better connect urbanist leaders of color to speaking and leadership opportunities.