Written by: Alejandro Pena Bello
Environmental Justice was the afternoon central subject. PhD candidate Marcia Hale, began the lecture talking about self-reliance in L.A. and how it is now centered in a crucial resource: water. For many years, L.A. has constructed an Aqueduct Empire, getting almost all its water from the north (Sierra Nevada) and the south (Colorado River). According to the speaker, the evolution of self-reliance definition has migrate from reliability, in terms of traceability and ownership as well as knowing where the water can be obtained from, in a first instance; to sustainability including an environmental vision and leading finally to the use of local water where the city will not mainly depend on imports.
Marcia introduce to us the notion of water infrasystems, which includes both, hard and soft infrastructure, such as pipes and dams or technology for delivery the water, as well as the institutions and governance models that direct the delivery. The analysis of this water infrasystem has been important due to the identification of decentralization problems in the L.A., which has lead to lack of transparency and participation as well as fragmentation of the water system in L.A. region.
Almost in parallel we talk about racism, which has been embedded in the built environment of the city and the connection between social aspects and environment. Through the history of L.A. racism has been present and it has put some tension and conflicts within the city. Some representations of this racism are food deserts, places in the city where you cannot find grocery stores with healthy food, only freeze food and junk food are available if some store is found. The racism is also perpetuated by the freeways, which divide neighborhoods. Later this week, Professor Estrada will explain us that the riots in L.A. were due in large part to racism lead by the police.
The definition of environmental justice according to which your health should not suffer because of the environment where do you live, regardless of race, color, national origins or income and which by the way, birth as a research result on solid waste sites in Houston and the relationship with the afro-american community neighborhoods, is then the piece that will connect environment and racism and allow Marcia explains how the infrasystems approach can play an important role in facilitating conflict and catalysing community empowerment, especially through participatory approaches to governance, especially on vulnerable communities.
On the other hand, urban retrofitting can play a great role if take into account environmental justice guidelines, otherwise can be a brand new way of racism driving urban retrofitting into gentrification processes.
Sustainable Urban Futures Travel-Study Program: Solution-based learning in Global Cities 