California Construction News staff writer
Los Angeles County has launched the ‘equity in infrastructure’ initiative to highlight equity in all processes, programming, and services as it plans, designs, builds, and maintains infrastructure.
LA County Public Works is leading the charge for infrastructure investments that benefit historically underserved communities and bring new projects to the region.
“LA County Public Works strives to create vibrant communities that are safe, clean and resilient and where people are thriving and living healthy lives,” said Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella. “We have a responsibility to address injustices and measure our solutions against the greatest level of need. Public Works is proud to be leading the charge on this historic initiative.”
In August 2021, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted a motion directing public works to accelerate the County’s anti-racist agenda – “placing equity at the center of our work means evaluating everything that we do through a lens of equity.”
Staff is now hearing from impacted neighborhoods about the inequities and disparities they experience.
“The Equity in Infrastructure Initiative is building on the County’s momentum to create and advance a bold anti-racist agenda that will transform our region for generations,” said Dr. D’Artagnan Scorza, executive director of the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative. “County departments, community-based organizations, local government, and other stakeholders must coalesce to eliminate structural racism and ensure equitable practices.”
LA County Public Works is inviting feedback through an anonymous survey about service needs including road repair, flood control, water quality, traffic safety, bike lanes, and trash hauling services. Feedback will impact recommendations to improve all LA County communities and contribute to the broader Countywide ARDI Initiative.
