As we plan San Diego’s future regional transportation system, we believe it must meet the needs of every single person in our community. Everyone must receive the benefits of a more efficient transportation system, regardless of age, race, color, national origin, income, or physical ability. That’s why social equity is one of the most important principles guiding SANDAG in creating the 2021 Regional Plan, the critical blueprint for transportation and regional planning through 2050.
How do we make sure no one is left behind in the Regional Plan? It starts with SANDAG’s deep commitment to social equity as outlined in our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement. We believe every individual—including those from historically underserved and marginalized groups—have a right to be treated with fairness, respect, and acceptance to ensure their safety and opportunity for growth.
With that philosophy as our foundation, we’ve actively engaged underserved communities as part of our public involvement program to make sure they are included in the decision-making process every step along the way. We’ve partnered with 12 community-based organizations or community collaboratives to help us engage with underserved populations around the region to help us identify issues and listen to their concerns. These community partners are selected by SANDAG through a competitive Request for Proposals process and have representatives on the SANDAG Social Equity Working Group.
Our community partners include:
- Bayside Community Center
- Casa Familiar
- Chula Vista Community Collaborative
- City Heights Community Development Corporation
- El Cajon Collaborative
- Escondido Education COMPACT
- MidCity-CAN
- Olivewood Gardens
- OPSam Health
- SBCS Corporation
- Urban Collaborative Project
- Vista Community Clinic
In developing the 2021 Regional Plan, SANDAG used performance measures and other evidence to ensure compliance with Title VI requirements and environmental justice principles. In addition, SANDAG completed a Community Health Equity Evaluation which documents health results cause by implementation of the 2021 Regional Plan with an emphasis on disadvantages communities that have historically borne a disproportionate share of pollution.
