Jordan Exantus: Unwriting History — Navigating Intersectionality and the [Un]intended Consequences of Planning in Majority "Minority" Communities

Abstract

This lecture critically examines the limitations and unintended consequences of traditional urban planning models when applied to historically marginalized, majority "minority" communities. Grounded in principles of intersectionality, cultural competence, and restorative justice, the discussion explores how conventional planning has often perpetuated historical inequities through systemic oversight, assimilation pressures, and inadvertent cultural displacement.

Through an intersectional lens, attendees will explore case studies and practical examples highlighting how standard planning practices — typically designed from positions of privilege — can neglect the complex interplay of race, class, historical trauma, and community identity. The session emphasizes the necessity of genuinely community-driven planning, involving rigorous historical inquiry, transparent power sharing, and meaningful two-way engagement.

Participants will gain insights into approaches that embrace restorative justice frameworks, emphasizing not just inclusion, but empowerment and sovereignty, particularly in indigenous, African American, Latinx, immigrant, and rural communities. By "unwriting" biased historical narratives and employing a culturally nuanced approach, planners and community stakeholders can collaboratively forge planning processes that are context-sensitive, ethically robust, and committed to equity and lasting community resilience.

Biography

Jordan Exantus is a nationally recognized planner with over 18 years of experience advancing racial equity, self-determination, and sustainable development through culturally competent and community-led planning. He has led transformative projects that center Black, Indigenous, and immigrant communities — integrating restorative justice, housing and economic development, and capacity-building partnerships across diverse cultural landscapes. As a pragmatic leader and skilled strategist, Exantus combines deep technical expertise with an inclusive, equity-first approach that empowers historically marginalized communities to shape their own futures.