Thought LeadershipRelated ProjectsNewsOur ExpertsServices

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

thn-wsp-changemakers-denise-turner-roth

The Public Service Changemaker

Denise Turner Roth is national business line executive of WSP’s U.S. Advisory business line and director of the Equity Center of Excellence, and her career has been dedicated to public service and creating quality communities.

thn-wsp-changemakers-allie-reilly

The Climate Equity Changemaker

Reilly is a lead consultant for WSP USA’s Climate, Resilience and Sustainability team who is focused on integrating equity into their climate resilience work.

thn-net-zero-gender-equity-1

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.

thn-snack-learn-tolling

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.

bnr-environmental-justice-reporting-highway

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.

thn-denise-turner-roth-no-text2

Reuters Events: How Infrastructure Programs Can Support the Levelling Up of the U.S.

A discussion of the impacts and opportunities that the new infrastructure investment program offers companies and how they can be a catalyst to drive real change across all income levels of the U.S.

img-fast-why-equity-is-critical

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.

bnr-bipartisan-infrastructure-bill-law-overview-temp-image

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

Related Projects

News

thn-wsp-equity-center-of-excellence

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.

Read More
thn-wsp-bart-link21

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.

Read More
thn-wsp-united-for-infrastructure-lewis-roth

WSP USA Charts Direction on Climate and Equity at United for Infrastructure 2021, with Opening Remarks by President Biden

Tom Lewis and Denise Turner Roth help lead government, business and labor leaders in driving solutions for better policies and greater investment in sustainable and equitable infrastructure.

Read More

Our Experts

Denise Turner Roth
Advisory National Business Line Executive
United States
Contact
Heather Martin
Senior Lead Equity Consultant, Transportation Planning
United States
Sean Scott
Senior Equity Consultant, Urban Design
United States
Gabi Brazzil
Senior Equity Consultant, Public Engagement
United States
Angela Berry Roberson
ECE Senior Advisor, Civil Rights Advisory and Compliance
United States
Fabian L. Campos
Equity Consultant
United States