Equity By Design in the Freedmen’s Town Heritage District

Hosted by Zion Escobar, Executive Director of the Houston Freedmen’s Town Conservancy

What if the perceived success of public policy, development codes, infrastructure and urban planning hinged on equitable outcomes for a community? The rebirth of Freedmen's Town seeks to demonstrate how equitable development and historic preservation can be tools of liberation for Houston's oldest black settlement. Check out the tour and get a glimpse into the incredible story, historic infrastructure and bright future for Houston’s first Heritage District.

In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, the Freedmen’s Town Heritage District is an opportunity to harness the potential of heritage focused investment to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable for current and future generations. Heritage and its associated practices can contribute to the distinctive character and uniqueness of cities by helping to preserve and enhance local identities and shared values, as well as pride and a sense of belonging. Heritage focused investment can provide basic infrastructure services, attract tourism and investments, and nurture the growth of cultural and creative industries, creating employment opportunities. Moreover, with their human scale, walkability, vibrancy, variety of functions and public spaces, many historic urban areas improve livability and foster social inclusion, cohesion, and well-being. The shared use of streets, open and green spaces, and the entire historic urban landscape, as well as the intrinsic relationship between public and private spheres, can stimulate interaction, exchange, and integration between different communities and between existing and new residents.

Learn more about Freedmen's Town Conservancy here!