Nellie Graham

Working with Municipal Partners: Negotiating Equity into Community Projects

Communities working with municipal agencies to advance a project are likely to encounter inequitable processes that can stunt the success of these projects. Equitable Cities has worked with government agencies from the federal to the local level and across sectors. Over time, we have developed a framework that centers equity in all our work.

Providing an opportunity to practice this approach, Equitable Cities will facilitate a role-playing activity to simulate a community planning process involving a local government agency. Prior to the activity, EC will briefly introduce their equity approach and framework.

Groups of no more than eight participants will choose between 3–4 scenarios, then attempt to reach a resolution on a community project plan using self-selected roles associated with their chosen scenario. Each role will also be assigned its own values, goals, and limitations to create a realistic discourse, with one of the required roles being a local municipal representative.

Following the activity, participants will share their resolutions with the full group, highlighting their process and how they overcame limitations.

The goal is for participants to navigate their scenario by applying aspects of the equity framework while allowing them to see their issue through some additional perspectives they are likely to encounter. Many participants have likely taken part in this process already and will be able to share past experiences with their group. Those who have not had this opportunity will be able to use this space to practice approaches that center equity in community projects.