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Health Disparities, Transportation Equity and Complete Streets: a Case Study of a Policy Development Process through the Lens of Critical Race Theory

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Abstract

Historic disinvestment in transportation infrastructure is directly related to adverse social conditions underlying health disparities in low-income communities of color. Complete Streets policies offer a strategy to address inequities and subsequent public health outcomes. This case study examines the potential for an equity-focused policy process to address systemic barriers and identify potential measures to track progress toward equity outcomes. Critical race theory provided the analytical framework to examine grant reports, task force notes, community workshop/outreach activities, digital stories, and stakeholder interviews. Analysis showed that transportation inequities are entrenched in historically rooted disparities that are perpetuated in ongoing decision-making processes. Intentional efforts to incorporate equity into discussions with community members and representatives contributed to explicit equity language being included in the final policy. The potential to achieve equity outcomes will depend upon policy implementation. Concrete strategies to engage community members and focus city decision-making practices on marginalized and disenfranchised communities are identified.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the City of Tucson Department of Transportation and the Complete Streets Task Force facilitators and members for their collaboration in conducting the case study. This work was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [grant number DP005002, 20142019] as part of the Physical Activity Policy Research Network.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Arizona College of Public Health, 1295 N. Martin, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Maia Ingram & Rachel Leih

  2. Planning and Landscape Architecture, University of Arizona College of Architecture, 1040 Olive Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, USA

    Arlie Adkins

  3. Living Streets Alliance, 439 N. 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85709, USA

    Evren Sonmez & Emily Yetman

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  1. Maia Ingram
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  2. Rachel Leih
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  3. Arlie Adkins
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Correspondence to Maia Ingram.

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Ingram, M., Leih, R., Adkins, A. et al. Health Disparities, Transportation Equity and Complete Streets: a Case Study of a Policy Development Process through the Lens of Critical Race Theory. J Urban Health 97, 876–886 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-020-00460-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-020-00460-8

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