Assessing Public Space Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Tempe Study

Honor Award

Research

Tempe, Arizona, United States
Design Workshop, Inc. - Aspen
Client: City of Tempe Parks and Recreation Department

S.P.A.C.E.S.

This study of city parks and recreation identifies equity gaps developing innovative research methods, atypical of traditional parks planning

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Equity Investigative Methodology

The process combines quantitative analyses with qualitative perceptions using inclusive engagement. The findings are used to prioritize investments

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Grounding Inquiry: System Exclusion Research

Tempe’s founding, historic development policies, and park use exclusions were found to have left traces on current distribution and preclusion

Image Credit: Design Workshop, Inc.; Arizona Memory Project, Rosamond Spicer; Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology; Gila River Indian Community Reservation; City of Tempe
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Grounding Inquiry: Equity Case Study Review

Evaluation of emerging equity reports demonstrates this study provides a comprehensive framework for public space design, operations, and engagement.

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Learning from the Community: Perceptions of Inclusion and Equity

Previous park plan involvement was broad. With this study’s targeted methods underrepresented voices expressed their needs and unique experiences

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Learning from the Community: Backing up Stories with Data

An online atlas makes rigorous analysis of qualitative and innovative quantitative data accessible for viewing findings by geography

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Research Findings: Understanding Socioeconomic Distribution

Compilation of 22 socio-economic datasets revealed areas in the city with poorer conditions or health outcomes, forming Equity Priority Zones

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Research Findings: Assessing Environmental Risk

Analysis of urban heat and gaps in tree canopy coverage reinforce the notion that the Equity Zones are also environmentally susceptible

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Research Findings: Conditions and Investment Trends

CIP investments were previously directed to get all parks to baseline. The study conclusions redirect to increase funding to Equity Zones

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Research Findings: Gaps in Distribution and Access

Evaluating residence type against park distribution walksheds reveals 30% of households are without access, the majority are multifamily housing

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Research Findings: Measuring Perceptions

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Site Assessment tool was uniquely developed to help measure performative observations by community members

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Research Findings: DEI Performance of Spaces

The results of the assessment with 332 completed site audits and 100 interviews relied on responses to four categories of DEI performance

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Research Findings: Identifying Disparities in User Experience

User experience scores on activation, program diversity, safety, amenities and access were compared across performance for 40 public spaces

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Guiding Implementation: A Tool for Equitable Prioritization

The study includes a prioritization tool for future investments and measuring progress to ensure equitable and effective distribution of resources

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Guiding Implementation: S.P.A.C.E.S. Framework for Action

Strategies to support 21 parks and recreation equity goals are shared in an interactive online format for ease of access

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Guiding Implementation: Usefulness and Transferability

The study’s methodology and clearly communicated outcomes have broad applicability for equity in park and recreation delivery beyond the City of Tempe

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“

It is important that this extensive evaluation of Tempe public space includes feelings of safety, climate, resiliency, and cultural relevance.

”

- 2024 Awards Jury

Project Credits

Anna Laybourn, FAICP, Principal - Design Workshop, Inc.

Callie New, AICP, Project Management - Design Workshop, Inc.

Tarana Hafiz, Jennifer, Pintar, Leen Elharake, Planners/Designers

Jennifer Pintar, Planner - Design Workshop, Inc.

Leen Elharake, Planner, Design Workshop, Inc.

Erica Maxwell, Equity Analyst, AHA Alliance

Erin Kirkpatrick, City of Tempe, Community Services Manager

Mercedes Payne, City of Tempe, Community Services Manager for Recreation

Project Statement

A growing body of research examines the continued devastation of policies and bias facilitating inequities in park provision. This study provides the most comprehensive look at geographic-based disparities amidst diverse populations. It expands research to include public health and climate change implications and examination of city operations. One innovation is measuring complex qualities of green spaces, recreation offerings, and public gatherings: an assessment tool to understand cultural inclusion and a sense of safety. Multiple methods elevate diverse community member perceptions to drive changes in policies and target equitable investments. This methodology is poised to change the field of public space planning and design.

Project Narrative

Understanding the history of exclusionary practices in rapidly developed and diverse cities like Tempe gives perspective on the current challenges faced when working toward DEI in public spaces. Traces of ethnic and economic exclusion remain visible in the city today and have influenced feelings of solitude and lack of belonging. The purpose of the S.P.A.C.E.S. equity study is to provide stakeholders with methods for identifying where inequities persist and supplement those findings with tools that guide action for a just future.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The innovative four-step process designed to investigate such circumstances reveals trends that are then used to help cities secure and prioritize investment for highest-need areas. This study greatly improves current park planning that is limited to measuring parks per total population and geographic service areas. Instead, it provides inventive measures of public space performance including quantifying feelings of safety, climate sanctuary, resiliency, and cultural representation.

The primary research methods involved two tiers – 1. desktop data analysis collected from publicly accessible sources as well as 2. unconventional observational tools conducted by diverse community members. These tools are critical to getting a pulse on how different lived experiences inform the perceptions and use of public spaces.

The inquiry phase included a review of Tempe’s existing planning and policy documents, a review of the city’s historic land planning practices, local factors effecting climate resilience, and a synthesized case study analysis comparing equity reports for peer communities and best practices. The second phase focused on generating an equity analysis framework (based on tier 1 data), highlighting systemic inequities around socioeconomic disparity and environmental impact data, and park distribution, condition, and investment trends. The third phase paired with findings from the second phase involved a robust community engagement campaign comprised of community navigator-led park assessments, park intercept surveys, neighborhood pop-up events, topical focus groups, and staff surveys (tier 2 data). This ultimately informed the fourth research phase that translated the rigorous analysis process into actionable next steps for the City to undertake in partnership with local stakeholders.

SIGNIFICANCE

S.P.A.C.E.S. serves as a replicable equity study model that can be adapted and applied to evaluate systems as well as individual public spaces throughout the world. This two-tier method addresses a gap in park and recreation system planning by utilizing data and first-hand stories or observations to understand the specific needs and desires of underserved and minority populations. The data-driven nature of the tools deployed provide decision-makers confidence that the funding prioritization matrix has defensible grounding. The study’s recommendations for strategies and action steps are clearly linked to the community’s values and key issues. If our industry continues to experience special interest groups challenging the value of DEI, this study’s rigor and communication will become increasingly critical for advancing towards justice.