UW’s Darlene Septelka and Lingzi Wu highlight the complications of more women in construction industries, including pay disparities by gender, occupational differences, impact of university pipelines, and more. Check out their perspectives in this article:
Category: Equitable and Just Practices
From the Dean: January 2023
After adopting our strategic framework nearly two years ago in 2021, the beginning of the year offers us a great opportunity to reflect and celebrate on what we have accomplished so far and where we plan to go. To learn more about our college’s efforts and outcomes towards these goals, please see the strategic plan implementation progress report.
In Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.
This year, on Monday, January 16th, we honor the 40th anniversary of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday becoming federal law. Dr. King was a renowned civil rights leader and activist who believed deeply in equity and justice, and lived out his commitment to that in his words and actions.
Sweetened beverage taxes produce net economic benefits for lower-income communities
New research from the University of Washington, published June 2 in Food Policy, addressed equity issues surrounding sweetened beverage taxes by examining the economic equity impacts of sweetened beverage taxes in three cities: Seattle, San Francisco and Philadelphia. Philip Hurvitz, affiliate associate professor of urban design and planning is a co-author. | UW News
Diversity, America’s cities, public safety hot topics at Day 2 of A’22
Dean Cheng was one of the keynote speakers at this year’s AIA Conference. See what she had to say about the role of an architect during this unique moment in time.
‘Something has to change:’ These architecture students are challenging Seattle’s housing norms
Architecture 508 Graduate Research Studio students talked about their ideas and solutions to add more housing in Seattle — a well-timed discussion as Seattle is updating its comprehensive plan. | KUOW
CBE launches EDIFY event series
Our EDIFY event series was established in spring 2022 by the CBE Diversity Council as a way to explore issues around equity, diversity and inclusion in the built environment, through the lens of creative expression. Our inaugural event for the CBE community was focused on the medium of short films, featuring a collection centered on the topic of equity, diversity and inclusion in the built environments. The films were selected to reflect on the theme: “Acknowledging Land: Past, Present, and Future”. Faculty, staff and students gathered for an evening to screen the shorts together and inspire conversation.
EDIFY was launched and organized by CBE staff members Claudine Manio and Nancy Dragun, in collaboration with UW Cinema & Media Studies lecturer Warren Etheredge. A veteran film producer and festival programmer, Etheredge … something from Warren about why these films were chosen
Films shown included the following:
THEATRE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
(1:58) Baroness von Sketch
THE DUWAMISH, PEOPLE OF THE INSIDE
(6:03) Seattle Channel
THE FUTURE OF CITIES: INEQUALITY
(2:28) Hong Kong University Faculty of Architecture
SEGREGATED BY DESIGN
(17:42) Mark Lopez
THE FUTURE OF CITIES: INFORMAL
(3:00) Hong Kong University Faculty of Architecture
A BROKEN HOUSE
(20:44) Jimmy Goldblum
POPCOURTS AT CHICAGO
(3:00) Brodie Kerst / AIA Film Challenge 2021
SANCTUM
(6:40) Evan Mather
YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT CENTER: FOR YOUTH BY YOUTH
(2:57) Lahmi Kim / AIA Film Challenge 2021
PILI KA MO’O
(13:46) Justyn Ah Chong
Programming was inspired by this question: the University of Washington has a land acknowledgement, but why is land acknowledgement important?
Throughout history, land has been a symbol of power and wealth, oftentimes acquired and developed by displacing those without either. The history, sense of place, and rich culture that took generations to build are dishonored and erased. The UW Land Acknowledgement brings awareness to the longstanding history of the indigenous people of the land on which our university sits. However, land acknowledgement should not exist in the past tense. It is an ongoing process – continuing today and into the future within our city and cities around the world.
Through the series of short films we drew connections between a variety of narratives about land “values”- in our country and abroad. From the stage manager who just wants to get on with the show, to the historian who animates redlining, to the developer reimagining suburban LA, to the Syrian architect tirelessly recreating home, this collection of short films encourages us to reconsider whose land we live on and how we all might become better stewards and better neighbors. Each film serves as a case study which invites us to reflect on the historical, cultural, political, and ecological impacts on land.
Beloved Communities: College of Built Environments students help historically Black churches survive gentrification
UW CBE students and faculty collaborated with the Nehemiah Initiative to help institutions in historically Black communities like churches and the people they serve survive rapid socioeconomic change. | UW Magazine
CBE welcomes new cohort of faculty
We are excited to announce the first wave of CBE’s new faculty cohort! Each brings new strengths and perspectives and as a group, they have the potential to be an effective team who, together with the excellent faculty already at CBE, will accelerate the positive impact of our teaching, research, and engagement.
Women in Construction: Darlene Septelka
In honor of Women’s History Month, we asked Teaching Assistant Professor, Darlene Septelka, to share her experience as a woman with 50 years of experience in the construction field.