Reproducing spatial inequality? The sustainability fix and barriers to urban mobility in Portland, Oregon

Abstract

We explore how the language of "just sustainability" may become subsumed into a sustainability fix strategy, depoliticizing the utility of concepts such as justice and/or equity. Building from critical GIS insights, we combine digitized spatial data from participatory mapping exercises and community-organization-based focus groups in Portland, Oregon, regarding a proposed six-mile biking and walking path around downtown. We find that 80% of participants' typical travel destinations are outside of downtown Portland and that participants experience planning and sustainability in a highly localized manner, challenging the equity rationale of downtown investment. We argue the top-down planning model, which presumes the spatial diffusion of benefits is equitable, is inherently ahistorical and fails to benefit those in historically marginalized neighborhoods. Finally, we argue for the value of community-oriented research, which, in this case, inspired a coalition of community organizations to formally oppose a city-led project based on the inequitable distribution of infrastructure benefits.

From Transportation Equity to Transportation Justice: Within, Through, and Beyond the State

“…While the full community plan was not adopted, key elements of it were, and the participants were able to leverage this success in later processes (Marcantonio and Karner 2014). In the Bay Area case, as in others, residents or community groups partner with academic institutions or public agencies for funding and/or to perform the analysis (Aimen and Morris 2012; London et al 2018; Mahmoudi, Lubitow, and Christensen forthcoming). A related avenue involves “citizen science,” whereby residents themselves collect and share data (in collaboration with scientists) to better understand and communicate concerns (Bonney et al 2014; Corburn 2005).…”

“…Three recent examples of this type of integrated approach illustrate the promise of hybrid approaches: focusing performance assessments on community-identified groups or geographic areas, interactive mapping/public engagement approaches, and modeling scenarios guided by regional equity ideals. The first approach has not been extensively studied in the literature to date (but see, e.g., Mahmoudi, Lubitow, and Christensen forthcoming). It must be based upon a robust public engagement effort that seeks to identify and address the needs of underserved and disadvantaged communities.…”

Assessing the Integration of Environmental Justice and Sustainability in Practice: A Review of the Literature

“…Building on the same bikeway development case study in Portland, Mahmoudi, Lubitow, and Christensen (2019) [76] combine digitized spatial data from participatory mapping exercises and focus groups with the community. It is found that most participants' travel destinations are outside of downtown Portland and that participants experience planning and sustainability in a highly localized manner, challenging the equity rationale of the downtown investment.…”

“…Perhaps the least considered form of equity was recognitional, although it was mentioned or referred to a few times. For example, the Mahmoudi, Lubitow, and Christensen (2019) [76] case study focusing on a bikeway development in Portland described how the traditional top-down planning model used initially to develop the bike path was ahistorical, resulting in a plan that did not recognize and therefore would not benefit historically marginalized neighborhoods. Moreover, in the context of urban agriculture (UA) Stanko and Naylor (2018) [64] say that attempting to promote equity through UA does not address existing or historical injustices, including access to land and other resources and jobs and economic opportunities.…”

Mapping Juvenile Justice: Identifying Existing Structural Barriers to Accessing Probation Services

“…These changes ultimately reduce the attractiveness of those neighborhoods to city‐directed investment, potential residents, or new business operations, further driving the increase in poverty and reduction in public service quality (Joassart‐Marcelli, Wolch, Alonso, & Sessoms, 2005). Seeking to address the legacy of racist market manipulation and the inherent unequal distribution of power and resources, scholars and activists have engaged in a vigorous discourse around mobility justice incorporating elements of sustainability, bicycling, and health (Behrsin & Benner, 2017; Golub & Martens, 2014; Hoffmann, 2015; Mahmoudi, Lubitow, & Christensen, 2020; Martens, Golub, & Robinson, 2012; Pereira, Schwanen, & Banister, 2017).…”