Equity in the Built Environment
Conditions in the built environment affect all communities. For instance, sidewalks connect people to work, school, stores, and each other. The absence of sidewalks, crosswalks, and other design elements can shape the demographics of a city and isolate a neighborhood from those surrounding them,1 contributing to negative life outcomes. The lack of electric vehicle chargers or “charging station deserts” in neighborhoods where residents lack driveways or garages and rely on street parking, keeps Black and Latino communities disproportionately exposed to air pollution and depending on gasoline powered cars.2 As such, infrastructure systems, policies, procedures, and practices must focus on improving life outcomes and treating every one justly according to their unique circumstances and needs. Prioritizing equity in the built environment will strengthen all LA County communities by enabling residents to have equal access to education, energy, clean drinking water, and resources that communities need to thrive.3 ARDI’s built environment portfolio focuses on prioritizing equity in infrastructure including but not limited to stakeholder engagement and data-driven decision-making processes to invest in our communities. ARDI supports the infrastructure work led by County departments and supports the implementation of specific Board directives.
1 Architectural Exclusion: Discrimination and Segregation Through Physical Design of the Built Environment
2 Without access to charging stations, Black and Hispanic communities may be left behind in the era of electric vehicles
3 Examining social equity in infrastructure
Civic Center in Downtown Los Angeles
Don Knabe Community Regional Park
Equity in Infrastructure Initiative
led by Public Works
On August 10, 2021, the LA County Board of Supervisors adopted a motion establishing a commitment to addressing infrastructure inequity, seeking to accelerate the County’s Anti-Racism policy agenda, specifically as it relates to infrastructure investments overseen by Public Works. In response to the Board’s directive, the Equity in Infrastructure Initiative is changing the way Los Angeles County Public Works serves its communities. This Initiative is prioritizing equity in all of Public Works’ infrastructure delivery and services. Through this important work, Public Works will build a more accessible and more resilient Los Angeles County.
For more information on the Equity in Infrastructure Initiative, contact Alicia Ramos, Capital Projects Program Manager from Public Works: ARAMOS@dpw.lacounty.gov
Decriminalizing Mobility
led by ARDI
In 2021, data analyzed by the Los Angeles Times revealed that out of more than 44,000 bicyclists stops made by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department since 2017, 70% involved Latino bicyclists. However, only 8% of the searches conducted during these stops resulted in finding illegal items, and 0.5% resulted in seizing weapons. These stops also occurred at greater rates in communities of color, such as unincorporated East Los Angeles, when compared to more affluent neighborhoods throughout the County. On August 2, 2022, the LA County Board of Supervisors adopted a motion directing the Chief Executive Office to coordinate the implementation of recommendations proposed in the June 24, 2022, Chief Executive Office report entitled “Decriminalizing Mobility Through Implementation of the Vision Zero Action Plan.” ARDI is coordinating efforts to decriminalize mobility in response to the Board directives by working with Public Works, Beaches and Harbors, County Counsel, Sheriff’s Department, Office of Inspector General, Civilian Oversight Commission, Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations Branch, and community representatives to decriminalize bicycle riding and micromobility in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, including Marina del Rey.
For more information on Decriminalizing Mobility, contact ardi@ceo.lacounty.gov.
First Street Bridge in Downtown Los Angeles
The Aging & Disabilities Department hosts a Lunar New Year Celebration at Potrero Heights Community and Senior Center in Montebello on January 26, 2024. Photo by Mayra B. Vasquez/ Los Angeles County
Indoor Air Quality Sensitivity (IAQS) Index
Indoor air contamination is one of the least visible environmental health issues, even though most people spend a significant amount of their time indoors. Public policy, regulation, and monitoring tend to focus much more on outdoor air pollution, but a great deal of people’s actual exposure happens inside homes, schools, and workplaces.
The Indoor Air Quality Sensitivity Index (IAQS) is an interactive mapping tool developed by ARDI in response to the Board motion Ensuring Equitable Distribution of Climate Equity Account Funds. The tool helps identify Los Angeles County communities that may be more sensitive and vulnerable to indoor air pollution impacts, including potential exposure related to natural gas combustion. It is intended to support equity-informed decisions about where public health, housing, decarbonization, and resilience investments may have the greatest health and equity benefit.
Users can explore the tool by viewing mapped IAQS scores, selecting specific census tracts, comparing sub-indexes and indicators, and using filters or map layers to better understand how health, housing, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions overlap across different communities.
The IAQS uses public health, environmental, socioeconomic, and housing data to show patterns and disparities across the County, down to the census tract level. Los Angeles County intends to make the tool publicly available in 2026 and is hosting virtual stakeholder feedback sessions to gather input on the draft tool, methodology, indicators, and potential use cases.
For more information on the Indoor Air Quality Sensitivity Index, click here or contact Benjamin Russak: BRussak@ceo.lacounty.gov