Episode 11: How the Black Planning Project is Diversifying Urban Planning One Story at a Time

In this episode, I speak with Abigail Moriah, a registered urban planner and founder of the Black Planning Project. Through this initiative, Abigail and her team, collect and share the stories of Black urban planning professionals and students to highlight their important work and encourage more diverse voices to enter the profession. Most importantly, through its various mentorship opportunities and research endeavours, the Black Planning Project builds the relationships and the community ties necessary to make sure that urban planning and hopefully the city building sector overall makes room for new perspectives and ideas.

In this episode, you'll learn:

why it is essential to encourage spaces where urban planners can discuss racial injustices in planning,
about some of the experiences and injustices that Black planners face in their profession,
about resources and advice for emerging urban planners of colour to help them navigate the field,
the importance of including diverse voices in the urban planning profession,
and much more!

Guest: Abigail Moriah

Abigail Moriah is a connector, facilitator and urban planner specializing in affordable housing. Her diverse background in the nonprofit, community and public sectors have shaped how she reflects on and engages in urban planning practice, pursuing an approach that builds bridges across practitioners, scholars and community. Her practice focuses on Black experiences and engagement in planning and housing, community building and equity in development.

Follow the Black Planning Project on:

Facebook: facebook.com/BlackPlanningProject
Twitter: @planning_black
Instagram: @blackplanningproject
Website: www.blackplanningproject.com/

Timestamps

3:30 | Introduction to Abigail Moriah and the Black Planning Project
5:55 | The process of collecting the stories for the Black Planning Project
8:39 | What has been the impact of the Black Planning Project
10:18 | The importance of highlighting the stories and experiences of Black planners for increasing diversity in the field
14:37 | Some of the common themes explored through the stories shared
25:44 | Advice and resources for aspiring urban planners
32:34 | What’s next for the Black Planning Project?
38:05 | How to get involved with the Black Planning Project

Show Notes

Want to learn more? Check out this episode's references!

Ahsan, S., Belay, R., Moriah, A., & Nash, G. (2020, August 25). Why is urban planning so white? Spacing Magazine. Retrieved from http://spacing.ca/toronto/2020/08/25/why-is-urban-planning-so-white/

Mentorship Initiative for Indigenous & Planners of Colour (MIIPOC). (2019, December). The Faces of Planning: Crafting a BIPOC Mentorship Experience Through Empirical Research With Planners. Mentorship Initiative for Indigenous & Planners of Colour (MIIPOC). Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/posts/miipoc_the-faces-of-planning-report-activity-6703616089823186944-55y3/

Acknowledgements

Sponsorships

This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.

The School of Cities "convenes urban-focused researchers, educators, students, practitioners and the general public to explore and address complex urban challenges, with the aim of making cities and urban regions more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and just". To learn more about the School of Cities visit www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca.

To learn more about the Department of Geography and Planning and the different undergraduate and graduate programs available please visit www.geography.utoronto.ca.

Support

Editor and Research Assistant: Hannah Ahamedi
Music Producer: Imany Lambropoulos
Podcast Host and Graphic Designer: Alexandra Lambropoulos

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