The Practice of Multicultural Planning in American and Canadian Cities

Abstract

There is a disconnect between academic discourse that critiques urban planning’s neglect of cultural diversity and the strong presence of ethnic cultures within the landscapes of North American cities. This paper examines how planning practice is responding to cultural diversity through the adoption of culturally sensitive policies by municipalities in selected U.S. and Canadian metropolitan areas. Using an index of multicultural policies as the basis for a questionnaire, local planning departments in immigrant-rich metropolitan regions were surveyed. Although limited in scope, the survey reveals that planning departments—driven by market initiatives and community demands—are accommodating cultural diversity largely on a case-by-case basis, particularly in large and medium-sized cities. Canadian municipalities have advanced further in adopting multicultural policies, though American cities are not far behind. The study suggests that practice is outpacing theory, which remains focused on advocating sensitivity to cultural differences and on emphasizing minority involvement. Findings show that planning processes are already responsive to ethnic minorities, though challenges remain in reconciling competing goals in land use, development, and community services. The paper concludes that a strategy of reasonable accommodation of cultural diversity is emerging.