Engaging minority population in conversation about future

How The City of Ames Can Engage Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Community Conversations About the Future Team Members: Sahara Shrestha, Esther Teethe, Kayonna Topp

Overview Objectives of the Project Participation defined Underrepresented groups in planning​ Mapping underrepresented groups City governments across the country discuss effective engagement methods Lessons learned​, Recommendations Conclusions

Objectives of the Project

Identify the underrepresentaed population in Ames

Explore the concept of rational ignorance

Examine different approaches to participation

Explore how the city can reach underrepresen ted communities in Ames

Participation defined

Sherry Arnstein’s Ladder of Citizen Participation

Underrepresented Groups in Planning •Racial and cultural minorities​ •Youth ​ •Persons living in poverty​ •Senior citizens​ •People with disabilities ​ •Rural communities​ •College students ​ •Renters​ •Indigenous​communities

Mapping Underrepresented Groups to Better Target Ethnic and Cultural Minorities

Minority Distribution Across Census Blocks

Income Distribution Across Census Blocks

Concentrations of Elderly Residents and Children

Minority Concentrations in Low Income Areas

Housing and Income in Ames

Research Respondent Data

Race and Ethnicity

Education background

White

College or more

Black or African American

High School

American Indian or Alaska Native

No formal education

Less than $20000

$20001 to $49,999

0 Asian

Income level

5

10

15 $5000 to $99,999

Native Hawaiian $100,000 and over

Other 0

2

4

6

8

0

5

10

15

City Governments Across the Country Discuss Effective Engagement Methods

Michigan App Use •Michigan uses the Next-door neighbor app to send alerts about issues in the city​ •The app is community run, but the city delivers the information to them to send it out​ •The NIXLE app is a police app that sends out information about police concerns​

Alexandria, LA Photovoice •Alexandria, LA Organization held a community event for rural citizens to share their experience using images •The project concentrated on the change of the relationship to food •They held an exhibition with food, beer and wine to display and discuss the Photovoice project

Michigan Historical Impacts on Racial and Ethnic Communities •The Burmese population is hesitant to go into governmental buildings.

•History in Burma with the government.

•The government takes government business to the people.

Los Angeles, CA Street Events •Improving Engagement with Local Latino Population, California: •Set up street stalls at a local festival •Participants used sticky notes to express theirconcerns and ideas

Australia Resident- Inspired Engagement •Activities that are resident-initiated (RIE) can be very effective in transforming the neighborhoods.

•Australia: Indigenous population was the target audience to create a boundary object through collaborative art

Kansas City, MO Food for the Homeless •Face to face communication •Form relationships based on trust •Offline public meetings •In-person participatory mapping •Example: A Simple House in Kansas City, Missouri •Organization that serves poor and needy community •Building trust and relationships with homeless and lowincome residents •Meetings in the community •Help with efforts to improve lives •Face to face communication

Lessons Learned, Recommendations and Conclusions

Conclusion: Strategies to Engage Ethnic and Racial Minorities

Special Thanks

ISU Community and Regional Planning Department •Dr. Francis Owusu - CRP Chair and ISU Professor •Dr. Alenka Poplin - Planning Studio Professor •ISU Studio Planning Class Fall 2020 •Maria Freeman - Planning Studio Teaching Assistant The City of Ames Government •John Haila – City of Ames Mayor •Steve Schainker - Ames City Manager •Dr. Gloria Betcher - Ames City Counselor