The Importance of Expanding Access to Safe Waters in Communities of Color

The article highlights the importance of expanding access to safe waters in communities of color. It discusses two new urban planning projects in the US that aim to reconnect these communities with their local waterways. The projects focus on addressing the historical exclusion of communities of color from accessing and enjoying public waterfront spaces. This exclusion has been driven by factors like redlining, environmental racism, and infrastructure development that have disproportionately impacted these communities. The article emphasizes the benefits of increased access to safe waters, including improved physical and mental health, economic opportunities, and community-building. The projects involve collaborative efforts between community organizations, urban planners, and local governments to create inclusive, accessible, and sustainable waterfront spaces. The article underscores the broader significance of these initiatives, as they represent a step towards addressing the systemic inequities that have long denied communities of color the ability to fully experience and benefit from their local natural resources.