Dr. Aujean Lee, assistant professor of Regional and City Planning, is one of six authors involved in a recently published practitioner diversity climate survey project called “Survey Says: Planners Share Insights on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” Read more about the project and collaborators at the American Planning Association website.
Abstract:
This study seeks to understand the perceptions of practicing planners around issues of diversity and inclusion in their workplaces and the communities they serve. This initiative is a partnership between the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Planners of Color Interest Group (ACSP-POCIG) and the American Planning Association (APA) to conduct a nationwide web-based survey of urban planning practitioners and in-depth interviews with APA membership around these topics. The online survey received over 3,000 responses between January 15, 2019, and March 15, 2019. A total of 104 planners were interviewed in 2019. The study finds that there is a perceived lack of representation of people of color and underrepresented groups, which limits who plans and whose values are validated. Bias and discrimination continue to persist and must be acknowledged to support systemic change.
Participants reported that planning organizations and agencies are implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives, but these have yet to be institutionalized. Interviewees offered suggestions to promote greater diversity within APA, their workplaces, and planning educational institutions. The study concludes that it is more important than ever to center diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency within our planning organizations, workplaces, and planning educational institutions to send a message regarding the value of diversity within the field of urban planning.
About the Authors:
Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture assistant professor Amy Leveno and Mark Leveno, co-founders of OFFICIAL Design, have received a 2026 AIA Central States Region Design Award for the firm’s Granger Annex Community Center project in Garland, Texas.
Construction Industry Speaker Series welcomed Stephen Evans from the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum to give a lecture on better conversations and relationship building.
The University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture Hall of Fame recognizes a select number of high-character individuals who have made a significant and lasting positive impact on Gibbs College, its students, staff, faculty, alumni and/or to communities across the globe. The impact may have been, or continues to be, in the form of service and mentorship, sustained professional excellence, and/or advancement and financial support. Joseph Edgar Smay is part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class.
