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Building a More Equitable Future

Equity is a collection of actions that level the playing field to deliver public projects that distribute privilege and foster belonging where it is needed most.

Equity is the defining measure of progress for our industry. WSP’s Equity Center of Excellence (ECE) provides equity services to create places, infrastructure, and experiences that improve quality of life for historically underserved, marginalized and disinvested communities. Equity is inextricably linked to our clients priorities including public trust, effective investments, distribution of benefits, and sustainable outcomes. Our work explores the history of decision-making and community impact, the diversity of experiences among members of the same group, and the implications of common static indicators like race, income, and pollution. We don’t just complete projects, we deliver projects that improve quality of life: impoverished communities and communities of color, whether rural or urban, must travel to obtain better jobs, secure educational opportunities and get quality healthcare. Taking steps to pilot policies and projects that protect and enhance equity can help communities and decision makers understand how to move towards more equitable outcomes and prevent repeating past mistakes.

Why WSP

WSP is poised to collaborate with clients to develop comprehensive frameworks, policies, processes and resources to put equity into action—not because we have all the answers, but rather, we demonstrate cultural competency through our work, commitment to continual learning, and take pride in being accountable. Our team of equity practitioners evolves WSP’s equity practice by developing approaches to use the local context of lived experiences with natural, built and social environments to develop equitable solutions.

Our project team’s recommendations will support clients in achieving anti-displacement, affordable, ability-agile, and connected mobility, resiliency preparedness, and more equitable outcomes.

Our Capabilities

Our capabilities include:

  • Equity Education Workshops
  • Data Methodology to Define Priority Communities
  • Methodology for Project Prioritization
  • Equitable Investment Policy and Strategy
  • Equitable Design Policy and Guidelines
  • Market and Industry Research and Policy Guidelines
  • Equitable Pricing Structure and Payment Method Program Development
  • Environmental Justice Analysis
  • Community Impact Assessments
  • Community Organization Partnership Strategies
  • Community Engagement Planning
  • Cultural Resonance Strategies
  • Workforce Program Development
  • DEI Contract Procurement Strategies
  • DBE and Civil Rights Program Development and Compliance

Thought Leadership

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How Social Equity Can Accelerate Climate Action

The Taskforce for Equity in Climate-related Financial Disclosures is identifying opportunities to accelerate climate action by addressing social inequities.

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Highway Tolling for Social, Economic and Spatial Equity

Explore how agencies around the country have attempted to improve equity outcomes through tolling-enabled discount and funding programs.

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Environmental and Climate Justice Assessment and Reporting: A Step to Correct Infrastructure Inequities

As equity commitments in the public and private sectors deepen, environmental justice reporting is maturing and becoming a more powerful tool to redress systemic inequality.

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Fast Company: Why Equity is Critical to Our Future Infrastructure Spending

Any infrastructure policy that doesn’t place equity at its center will fail to meet our society’s future needs.

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Exploring Opportunities in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Climate, Resilience & Sustainability and Equity

This is the first article in a WSP USA series looking at funding opportunities within the federal law, and what agencies can do to best position their projects to qualify for funds.

Webinar: Building Equitable Futures: Practicing through an Equity Lens

The ECE team discusses equity principles and offers application strategies for your programs and projects.

Access Webinar

Introducing the 2022 WSP Infrastructure Index

The WSP Infrastructure Index is based on a survey conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of WSP among 2,000+ adults. It sheds light on public priorities and perceptions of how the funds might be spent, which can help identify opportunities to foster understanding and engagement. WSP stands ready to help agencies apply for funding for infrastructure programs and devise a winning strategy.

Download the Report

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News

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WSP Signs Equity in Infrastructure Project Pledge

WSP confirms commitment to diversity in contracting, and to full and equitable transportation access for underserved communities nationwide, with Aug. 16 pledge signing.

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WSP USA Establishes Equity Center of Excellence to Unlock Access for Underserved Communities

WSP USA observes Transit Equity Day with commitment to creating places and infrastructure that improves underserved, marginalized and disinvested communities.

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Arup/WSP Joint Venture to provide planning and engineering services for BART Link21 Program

Multi-project initiative will transform Northern California’s 21-county passenger rail network into a better-connected system that is fast, safe, efficient, equitable and reliable.

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Our Experts

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Jannet Walker-Ford
Business Line Executive, Advisory and Planning
LocationUnited States
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Sean Scott
Senior Equity Consultant, Urban Design
LocationUnited States
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