Making Equity Planning Work : Leadership in the Public Sector

Conflicts in Urban and Regional Development

by Norman Krumholz

From 1969 to 1979, Cleveland's city planning staff under Norman Krumholz's leadership conducted a unique experiment in equity oriented planning. Fighting to defend the public welfare while also assisting the city's poorest citizens, these planners combined professional competence and political judgment to bring pressing urban issues to the public's attention. Although frequently embroiled in controversy while serving three different mayors, the Cleveland planners not only survived, but accomplished impressive equity objectives. In this book, Norman Krumholz and John Forester provide the first detailed personal account of a sustained and effective equity-planning practice that influenced urban policy.

Krumholz describes the pragmatic equity-planning agenda that his staff pursued during the mayoral administrations of Carl B. Stokes, Ralph J. Perk, and Dennis J. Kucinich. He presents case studies illuminated with rich personal experience, of the Euclid Beach development, the Clark Freeway, and the tax-delinquency and land-banking project that resulted in a change in the State of Ohio's property law, among others. In the second part of the book, John Forester explores the implications of this experience and the lessons that can be drawn for planning, public management, and administrative practice more generally.

Genres: History

271 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1990

About the author

Norman Krumholz is Professor Emeritus at Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University.

Reviews

[Eileen Divringi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Forrester chapters really pushed this up to 4 stars. He connects a lot of dots and adds broader intellectual value beyond the specific cases Krumholz describes. The Krumholz chapters are interesting and occasionally inspiring, but I think the theory and practice of progressive planning has advanced a bit since his time so none of it felt particularly innovative.

[Tedward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Norm is something of a legend in Urban Studies. He recently came to my classroom today as CSU to talk to my Senior Seminar class and answer some questions. I personally loved the anecdote of the People Mover. In the late 70's President Ford gave Cleveland 20,000 dollars to test out the idea of a people mover. Mayor White accepted it because free money. Norm and his team did a model of the people mover and found that not only would it cost more than 20,000 dollars in the long run but that taking it would be slower than already existing transit routes. Norm and his team battled within city hall until Dennis Koschinich came into office who would listen to his warnings and killed the project. Interestingly enough Detroit became the lab for the People Mover and is now known as the "Mugger Mover." Looks like Norm was proved right in time. http://www.railforthevalley.com/lates...

When i talked to Norm today I asked him if this was the work infrastructure boondoggle he ever face but he said the lake front shoreline was the worst because it ended up getting built. http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index...

This book is very niche. Unless you have an interest in Urban Planning or are taking it for a class I can't even think of a reason to check it out. It's written by a veteran Planner to Urban Studies student like me. Norm comes from an openly Liberal Democrat school of though but made it clear throughout the book that pragmatism and time were key to getting things done in city hall. The ultimate key to successful urban planning is do you care about the well being of your community. If you have that you can cut across most political and ethical lines.

[Alexa Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short easy read. Kind of highlights the behind the scenes work involved in city planning. There are some ethical questions that are not addressed and planning has advanced since these early days but some of it certainly is still applicable.

[Molly Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book has many ethical problems that are never addressed. The second part of the book is preachy and over simplified. Book lacks an objective stand-point.

[Patrick Braga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read; I read it in a single day. Gripping stories of planners' experience dealing with city politics, and very handy lessons on making a difference and really standing out in the public sector.