Bridging equity? Washington, D.C.’s new elevated park as a test case for just planning

ABSTRACT

In the last decade, justice has been revived as a primary criterion for the analysis and evaluation of planning policies. This paper continues this line of research by examining a proposed redevelopment project in Washington, D.C. that sets equitable development as its goal . The proposed 11th Street Bridge Park would be a top-notch elevated park, physically and symbolically connecting D.C’s wealthy west with the disadvantaged east. The project is managed by a nonprofit organization and seemingly stands out in its progressive vision: An Equitable Development Plan has been developed in an attempt to secure the future of the local residents in light of the neighborhood's anticipated gentrification. However, preliminary findings show that despite explicit commitment to equity, the planning of the park also resurfaces racial and class tensions . The analysis of procedural and substantive aspects of justice in this case suggests that issues of recognition, power and representation are instrumental to fully understand urban (in)justices.

KEYWORDS:

• 11^th Street Bridge Park
• Washington
• D.C.
• justice
• equity planning
• redevelopment

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. The West area census track includes a large Hope VI project, which increases the percentage of renter occupied units, and potentially the unemployment and child poverty rates.

2. Precise figures vary according to different press releases; moreover, incoming donations change the status on a continuous basis.