Macalester-Groveland Community Council

In development planning, communities may advance the goals of various groups. Equitable development centers the priorities of communities of color and lower-income communities. Environmental justice is also a key consideration.

“Equitable development creates healthy vibrant communities of opportunity where low-income people, people of color, new immigrants and people with disabilities participate in and benefit from systems, decisions, and activities that shape their neighborhoods.” (Metropolitan Council,  source)

Twin Cities community groups worked with The Alliance to design a template of an  equitable development scorecard . When using the scorecard, participants assign points based on how well projects promote equity across several criteria. Among other criteria, the scorecard may focus on land use, housing, and transportation. Communities can adapt the scorecard to suit their priorities (e.g. if affordable housing is especially important to a community, the scorecard could assign extra points to projects that promote affordable housing.)