![]() Tacoma is one of many cities in the US that still suffers from the 1930s policy of redlining, which assigned high loan risk to communities of color. These topics were analyzed with geographic information system (GIS) technology to show patterns and represent inequities on a map. The tool examines five categories of inequity that include livability, education, environmental health, economic opportunity, and accessibility. The Tacoma Equity Index measures entrenched economic problems, housing needs, and social justice issues. The city first quantified the barriers people face and then mapped communities where disinvestment has led to lower quality of life. Tacoma’s program is moving forward with precision. Many cities in the US face ongoing impacts of systemic racism, but not enough have examined the underlying issues. Tacoma mayor Victoria Woodards wants to make her city antiracist, a goal that’s now reflected in the Heal the Heart of Tacoma campaign. GIS was used to aggregate the data to create the Equity Index, and anyone can use GIS to add the equity layer and perform their own analysis.Public works managers could see how reprioritizing project sequences could significantly impact residents’ quality of life.City planners in Tacoma conducted spatial analysis to see the impacts of past discriminatory practices that can still be seen on a map.“I urge everyone across our community to join us in this important work.The Tacoma Equity Index provides the data and details the city needs to assess and address inequalities. “Community engagement and involvement are critical to the success of our efforts to grow Tacoma’s tree canopy,” said Deputy Mayor Kristina Walker. “The Community Trees Program will lower barriers to tree planting by bringing resources and education to neighborhoods experiencing the greatest level of need.” “People in Tacoma are excited about planting trees,” said Tacoma Tree Foundation Executive Director Lowell Wyse. It said a “tree steward” training will be offered on September 16. The city also says that outreach is underway in the McKinley Hill neighborhood. Requests from residents for free street trees in the Green Blocks McKinley Hill project area will be accepted now through September 17. These priorities include developing a neighborhood tree planting program that focuses on outreach and aims to achieve a 25% tree canopy cover in the business district and a 35% tree canopy cover in residential areas. The city of Tacoma said that through its Neighborhood Planning Program, residents in the McKinley Hill neighborhood had identified tree planting as one of the top priorities. “I look forward to seeing what we can do through the Community Trees Program with the support of our partners at the Tacoma Tree Foundation.” “Partnerships are key to the success of our long-range efforts to make Tacoma a more livable city for all,” said Mayor Victoria Woodards. Getting that means giving away 250 street trees - a small price for more green. Tacoma wants a quarter of this business district covered with trees, more in the residential areas. ![]() He’s hoping a greener McKinley Way means more people here. “I don’t have an issue with that because it’s going to get rid of these plum trees, I hope, and replace them with something that’s not as high maintenance,” Slater said. Rick Slater is only against the trees in front of his garage and messes up the sidewalk that’s right in front of his business. ![]() “There’s certain spots that have a lot of trees and there are certain spots that really don’t,” Boyne said.
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