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Activity INa2
Objective
Design for Embodied Justice
Concept
Social Justice Innovation
Activity Type
Impact
Rating System Application
Address root causes of inequity to prevent reproducing inequitable power relationships through an equitably designed feature within the project
Scope
The Owner shall ensure the design of a feature within the project that equitably distributes benefits, particularly to marginalized communities. This involves actively challenging and addressing root causes of inequity within the design and ensuring that the project does not reproduce or reinforce existing power imbalances. Collaborative and participatory design methods shall be employed, centering the voices and experiences of those traditionally marginalized by design. The project will prioritize inclusivity, accessibility, and community-driven solutions, ensuring the design feature addresses symptoms and tackles systemic inequities at their core.
Requirements
Act to Avoid Harm
- 01.
The design shall address a significant social issue or problem that is relevant to the target population as identified during the impacted party engagement in Activity IAa2.2.
- 02.
The design feature shall be guided by a defined logic model (see Guidance on creating a logic model in Appendix E) outlining the intended outcomes and the steps needed to achieve them. Preference should be placed on leveraging existing resources and processes of the Owner to optimize opportunities to create positive impact.
- 03.
The design shall include the following criteria111:
- a.
measurable and positive impact on the well-being of individuals or communities
- b.
promotes fairness and equality, ensuring that marginalized or disadvantaged groups are not further marginalized or excluded
- c.
respects the rights, culture, and dignity of the target community and should be culturally sensitive and appropriate, considering the cultural norms, values, and practices of the target community
- d.
active participation and engagement of the target population, ensuring that their voices and perspectives are heard and considered
- e.
collaboration and coordination with relevant impacted parties, such as community organizations, government agencies, and other key actors
- f.
have mechanisms in place to ensure transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of resources
- a.
Benefit Impacted Parties
- 04.
The design should use strategies and methods that are evidence-based and have been proven to work in similar contexts.
Contribute to Solutions
- 05.
The design should aim to build the capacity of impacted parties and organizations to support and sustain the intervention.
Indicators
The performance indicator is the embodied justice design impacted party satisfaction rate (expressed as a percentage). The context indicators are indicators identified (as outputs) in the logic model in Requirement #1.
Step 1
To calculate the performance indicator:
- Calculate the average score for each question by adding up all the encoded responses (where 1 = Very Dissatisfied/Not at all Relevant/Very Poor/Not at all/Very Unlikely/Strongly Disagree and 5 = Very Satisfied/Very Relevant/Very Good/Very Well/Very Likely/Strongly Agree) and divide by the total number of responses.
- Calculate the overall average score by adding up all the average scores for all the questions and dividing by the total number of questions.
- Calculate the impacted party satisfaction rate (%) by dividing the score by the maximum possible score (which is 5) and multiplying by 100.
This is expressed mathematically as:
Step 1
a# = R1 + R2 + R3 + … / N
Step 2
Step 2
A = a1 + a2 + a3 + … / Q
Step 3
Step 3
S = (A / 5) x 100
Scoring
Points assignment
| Points | Percentage Satisfaction Rate |
|---|---|
| 2 points | 40-59% satisfaction rate |
| 4 points | 60-79% satisfaction rate |
| 6 points | 80-100% satisfaction rate |
Note:
- Very Low Satisfaction (0-19%): a very small proportion of impacted parties are satisfied with the program. Immediate action is needed to identify and address the issues causing dissatisfaction. No SEAM points awarded.
- Low Satisfaction (20-39%): less than half of impacted parties are satisfied with the program. There is significant room for improvement. No SEAM points awarded.
- Moderate Satisfaction (40-59%): around half of impacted parties are satisfied with the program. While this is not bad, there is still considerable potential for improvement.
- High Satisfaction (60-79%): a majority of impacted parties are satisfied. The program is generally effective, but there may still be areas to improve.
- Very High Satisfaction (80-100%): a large majority of impacted parties are satisfied. This is an excellent result, suggesting that the program is very effective in meeting impacted party needs and expectations.
Additional points assignment
| Points | Additional Requirements Satisfied |
|---|---|
| +2 points | Requirement #4 satisfied |
| +2 points | Requirement #5 satisfied |
Documentation
- 01.
List of financial, human, and material resources utilized for this activity.
- 02.
A detailed logic model that outlines the intended outcomes of the design and the steps needed to achieve them. This should include the top Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) identified as outputs.
- 03.
Architect Attestation detailing how the design meets the criteria of being impactful, equitable, ethical, participatory, collaborative, and accountable. It should reference strategies and methods that are evidence-based and have been proven to work in similar contexts (if applicable).
- 04.
A copy of the Impacted Party Satisfaction Survey content.
- 05.
Impacted Party Satisfaction Survey Results used to calculate the impacted party satisfaction rate. The results should include encoded responses that can be used to calculate the average score for each question, the overall average score, and the impacted party satisfaction rate.
Guidance
On content of the impacted party engagement
A template for an impacted Party Satisfaction Survey can be found in Appendix D.
On embodied injustice
Embodied injustice in commercial real estate refers to the historical and ongoing inequalities embedded within property development, ownership, and utilization. It encompasses practices and policies that have disproportionately disadvantaged certain groups, such as exclusionary zoning and discriminatory lending or leasing practices. This concept also considers the legacy of land use decisions, urban planning, and development patterns perpetuating social disparities, affecting access to opportunities and resources in commercial spaces. This Activity aims to design justice into the project.
On assessing embodied injustice
Assessing embodied injustice in the context of commercial real estate involves assessing how development, ownership, leasing, and utilization practices have historically impacted marginalized or disadvantaged groups. Owners can use the following steps to assess embodied injustice as guidance for designing justice into the project:
- Review past commercial real estate development decisions, sales, and leasing practices to identify patterns of exclusion or discrimination.
- Analyze the diversity of businesses and organizations that lease commercial spaces. Are there barriers to businesses owned by underrepresented individuals?
- Evaluate the affordability of commercial lease rates. Are they prohibitively high for small businesses or startups, especially those owned by individuals from marginalized communities?
- Examine the location of commercial properties. Are they primarily in affluent areas, or are they also accessible to underserved communities?
- Assess the level of community involvement in commercial real estate development decisions. Are residents' concerns and inputs considered?
- Analyze the job opportunities created by commercial tenants. Are they offering employment opportunities to individuals from underrepresented groups, and are they accessible to the local community?
- Evaluate the environmental practices of commercial developments. Are they contributing to ecological degradation in already vulnerable areas?
- Assess whether commercial developments respect and integrate local cultural and historical landmarks or if they contribute to cultural erasure.
- Examine if commercial developments contribute to or detract from local infrastructure and amenities. For instance, do they support public transportation access or green spaces?
- Engage with local business owners, especially those from marginalized communities, to understand their experiences and challenges in accessing commercial real estate.
- Analyze the safety measures in place in commercial properties and whether they are accessible and welcoming to everyone, including marginalized groups.
By focusing on these specific measures in commercial real estate, Owners can better understand embodied injustice in the property and work towards restoration and more equitable practices.
On restoration
To "restore" means to bring something back to its original or previous state, often after it has been damaged, lost, or disrupted. It involves repairing, renewing, or returning something to its rightful condition or function. In the context of social justice, restoration may refer to efforts aimed at rectifying past injustices, addressing harm, and working towards the reestablishment of fairness, equality, and dignity for individuals or communities who have experienced discrimination or oppression. This can involve various actions such as providing reparations, implementing policies to address systemic inequalities, and promoting reconciliation and healing.
The steps to restore can vary depending on the specific situation and context. However, here are some general steps that may be involved in the process of restoration:
- Acknowledgment: The first step in the restoration process is acknowledging the harm or injustice that has occurred. This involves recognizing and accepting the reality of the situation, including the impact it has had on individuals or communities.
- Accountability: Holding those responsible for the harm or injustice accountable is an important step in the restoration process. This may involve legal actions, disciplinary measures, or other forms of accountability mechanisms to ensure that those responsible are held responsible for their actions.
- Repair and Redress: Restoration often involves repairing the harm caused and providing redress to those affected. This can include actions such as providing compensation, restitution, or other forms of remedies to address the specific harm experienced.
- Policy and Systemic Changes: Addressing the root causes of the harm or injustice requires implementing policy and systemic changes. This may involve revising laws, regulations, or practices that perpetuate inequality or discrimination, and implementing measures to promote fairness, equality, and justice.
- Reconciliation and Healing: Restoration also involves promoting reconciliation and healing among individuals or communities affected by the harm or injustice. This can include creating spaces for dialogue, strengthening understanding, and supporting processes that facilitate healing and rebuilding trust.
- Education and Awareness: Promoting education and awareness about the harm or injustice is crucial for preventing future occurrences and creating a culture of social justice. This may involve raising awareness about the history, causes, and consequences of the harm and promoting understanding and empathy among individuals and communities.
It's important to note that the steps to restore can be complex and may require the involvement of various impacted parties, including governments, institutions, communities, and individuals. The specific steps and approaches may vary depending on the nature of the harm or injustice and the needs of those affected.
Referenced Source
- ISO 26000:2010, Guidance on social responsibility (2021)
- UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011)