Equity Lenses: Targeting Equitable Community Investment Across Southern California

How can SCAG’s Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) improve resource prioritization in communities most impacted by economic, social, and environmental inequities? This research project involves analyzing documentation and conducting semi-structured interviews with staff at SCAG and other organizations. I also selected three Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to feature as case studies. I focused on four specific areas: indicators, scoring analysis areas, mapping, and prioritization. Based on the findings, I’ve come to a set of initial recommendations for a web-based Equity Lens Tool and the start of a scorecard.First, determine a core set of indicators for the Priority Populations and each of the SCAG themes defined in ConnectSoCal: Economy, Healthy & Complete Communities, Mobility, and Environment. Next, use the bin scoring method for the Priority Populations and map those across the entire region on the tool. Use each of the thematic areas as filters on the map. Also, surface details about the communities, past SCP projects, and data methodology for transparency. Then, the project prioritization scorecard could combine existing equity frameworks and data from the tool centered around Connect SoCal’s four thematic areas. Initial sections of this scorecard could include Proposal, Community, Engagement, Benefits, Significance & Alignment, Burdens, and Accountability. Organizations are yearning for clear guidance on how to go beyond the buzzwords and operationalize equity in a meaningful way. If SCAG can lead by example, they have the potential to inspire other MPOs and multiply their impact beyond Southern California to impact people across the country