Planning and Community Health Research Center

Social Equity

Social equity ensures that individuals and groups:

1. Have access to a wide variety of experiences, resources, goods, and services;
2. Are protected from health, economic, environmental, and social disparities;
3. Have the opportunity to participate in public decisions; and
4. Are treated fairly regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, income, gender, age, or disability.

Planning for social equity includes principles related to the adopting of plans, policies, and regulations that are fair and achieve a healthy environment, vibrant community, diverse cultural assets and amenities, equal and adequate services and infrastructure, mix of affordable housing options, and economic opportunities to low-income and minority residents.

Planners play an important role in meeting these social needs and providing all residents — current and future generations — with the opportunity to achieve a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and develop to their fullest potential.