Urban and Regional Planning

2016 Dale Prize Planning for Community Self Determination and Racial Justice

February 10, 2016

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The 2016 theme is Planning for Community Self Determination and Racial Justice. From Ferguson to Baltimore, New York City to Los Angeles, the historic social and political disenfranchisement and unequal treatment of communities of color has led to civil unrest and uprisings. New generations of social activists have launched the Black Lives Matter, Idle no More!, DREAMers, No Papers and No Fear movements to draw attention to persistent racial, economic and spatial inequalities and to demand justice and equity. These movements combine traditional outreach and activism with new forms of social media by activists, scholars and community members to demand changes in their communities and human respect due to all residents, regardless of their race, class or legal status.

Unfortunately, many policy makers, developers, and practitioners have historically played an active role in creating racially segregated and unequal communities through public policies and planning tools such as urban renewal, redevelopment and exclusionary zoning practices. Moreover, the unequal use of the criminal justice system against racial minorities often furthers this caste system in housing, employment, education and other areas. Yet, planning scholars and practitioners also have a strong tradition of theorizing and advocating for social justice and equality for historically disenfranchised groups. Considering the current uprisings in cities and suburbs around the country, planners are once again standing at a crucial juncture in their professional development to advance just and equitable public policies and practices. In this context, the 2016 Dale Prize asks two straightforward questions with an infinitely complex answer or answers: How have planners contributed to racial and spatial inequality? How can we use our collective influence and expertise to alter the course of separate-and-unequal treatment of racialized communities?

Please join us at the colloquium on Wednesday February 10, 6-8 pm, with a reception from 5-6 at Ursa Minor in the Bronco Student Center, and/or the banquet on Thursday February 11, 7-9 pm at Kellogg House Pomona. 

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Cal Poly Pomona is pleased to announce the winners of the 2016 William R. and June Dale Prize for Excellence in Urban and Regional Planning.  Dr. Lisa K. Bates of Portland State University has won the Scholar Prize. Mr. Hector Verdugo, Associate Executive Director at HomeBoy Industries, has won the Practitioner Prize.

Practitioner Prize Winner

Hector Verdugo
Assistant Executive Director
Homeboy Industries

Hector Verdugo Hector Verdugo   is an innovator in critical issues of gang prevention, intervention and re-entry programming, along with economic development. He has deep roots in Los Angeles. As a product of East Los Angeles' Ramona Gardens Housing project, Mr. Verdugo directly experienced challenges related to gang activity and racial tension. As someone who has transformed his life, his work at Homeboy Industries and his personal story serve as a model of change. Speaking engagements include cities and universities in this country, along with events in Denmark, Sweden, and beyond. As a leader and role model, Mr. Verdugo supervises staff and mentors trainees at Homeboy Industries. He participated in the Southern California Leadership network as a Boeing Fellow, serves on the board of Legacy LA and LA Voice PICO, and advises the Anti-Recidivism Coalition.

Scholar Prize Winner

Lisa K. Bates
Director, Center for Urban Studies
Portland State University

Lisa Bates Lisa K. Bates, Ph.D., is a national leader in pursuing racial equity through activist scholarship and advocacy. Her scholarship and activism empowers community activists and disenfranchised communities, along with planning scholars and practitioners, with knowledge to create equitable housing policies. Leadership in scholarship is evidenced by her recent co-editing of an equity-focused issue of the  Journal of Planning Education and Research and her role as co-chair of ACSP's Planners of Color Interest Group. Her commitment to practice is shown in her contributions to Portland's Strategic Plan and Gentrification and Displacement Study. She is an Associate Professor at Portland State University and is Director of the Center for Urban Studies. Dr. Bates holds a Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Cal Poly Pomona seeks nominations for the 2016 William R. and June Dale Prize for Excellence in Urban and Regional Planning. The Dale Prize recognizes planning excellence, creates dialogue between scholars and practitioners, and enriches the education of planning students. The Dale Prize is awarded in pairs: a $5,000 award to a scholar and a $5,000 award to a practitioner. Awardees spend two days on the campus, meet with students in classes, and participate in a colloquium and other events.

Nominations Procedure

We are seeking a Dale Prize Scholar who can provide a historically grounded assessment of the recent civil uprisings and share research on policies, tools and techniques to advance racial, economic and social justice.

We are seeking a Dale Prize Practitioner who can discuss effective policies, tools and techniques that are available to planning practitioners to advance racial, economic and social justice.

Dale Prize events will be held February 10th and 11th 2016 on the Cal Poly Pomona campus.

Nomination packages should be submitted no later than December 4, 2015. The package may be submitted in hard copy format by mail, or in digital format by email, or through a file sharing service. Self-nominations are accepted. The package should include the following:

  • Nominating Cover Letter
  • Name and current affiliation and description of nominee’s contribution to the field
  • Narrative justifying the nomination (3 page maximum)
  • Nominee’s Curriculum Vitae
  • Description and examples of research, publications and/or other contributions to the field. This can include links to internet sites where research or publications can be reviewed.
  • Contact information for the nominator
  • Contact information for the nominee
  • Approval by nominee of the nomination, including commitment to be available to be on the Cal Poly Pomona campus the full days of February 10 and 11, 2016. (Travel expenses will be covered by the Department).

Nominations of Practitioners

The winning practitioner will be selected based on:

  • Evidence of contribution to the field. This includes but is not limited to quality and quantity of plans, designs, programs and projects, implementation success, impact on the field, and peer recognition.
  • Applicability to the theme Planning for Community Self Determination and Racial Justice. 
  • Potential for linking practice results to planning theory.

To nominate a practitioner, please provide the following:

  • Nominating Cover Letter
  • Name and current affiliation and description of nominee’s contribution to the field
  • Narrative justifying the nomination (3 page maximum)
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae/Portfolio
  • Description and examples of projects, programs, experience and other contributions to the field. This can include links top internet sites where research or publications can be reviewed.
  • Contact information for the nominator
  • Contact information for the nominee
  • Approval by nominee of the nomination, including commitment to be available to be on the Cal Poly Pomona campus the full days of February 10 and 11, 2016. (Travel expenses will be covered by the Department).

Submittal Addresses for Nominating Packages

If submitted by US mail:

2016 Dale Prize Committee
Department of Urban and Regional Planning
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
3801 West Temple Avenue
Pomona, California 91768

If submitted electronically:

urpdept@cpp.edu
(Please put 2016 Dale Prize Nomination in the subject line).
OR Invite Laura Fujimoto-Hernandez ( lhernandez@cpp.edu) to join a Dropbox folder.

Selection Schedule

Nomination Packages Due: December 4, 2015

Selection of Winners: January, 2016

Visit to Campus, Colloquium and Events Honoring Winners: February 10-11, 2016

Contact

If you have additional questions, contact
Richard Willson
rwwillson@cpp.edu
(909) 869-2701