This week’s reading by Susan Frainstein focuses on urban justice goals. Mainly she breaks down her urban planning method into three categories, democracy, diversity, and equity. She also points out that planning theory is flawed because it doesn’t take the urban space that it affects into context.

For democracy she says that decisions in shaping the city should not be made by only a handful of social welfare workers and city planners. Their decisions usually do not take into consideration the opinions and interests of residents and therefore causes a dispute. She suggests a democratic approach towards urban planning so that the opinions of those that are usually not heard can finally be heard and taken into consideration. Her argument for diversity is yet a complex one. She first justifies why the term diversity is best used in this context. Then she explains that her idea of urban diversity is such as the ideas presented by Jane Jacobs; that the city should have more diverse structures and streets. She argues that “urban diversity stimulates creativity, which in turn causes economic growth.” Finally for equity she explains that it is mostly spotted in housing policies.

The proposal of the BQX can be related to this reading. Again, the argument that the BQX is focused solely for economic growth of the city and does not take into consideration how the lives of the residents around the area will be affected can be pointed out. The BQX can be seen as a tool for urban planning. I think Susan Frainstein’s ideas should be implemented for this proposal before it is carried out. Meaning, that city officials and planners should look into how the neighborhoods around the proposed line will be affected and take their opinions into consideration. Also they should question whether or not the BQX will help diversify the city. Finally, they should make a conclusion on whether or not this proposal is just based on this feedback then construct the line or not based on their conclusion.