LECTURE BLOG: Marty Johnson

Yesterday's lecture was by Marty Johnson who spoke about The Isles' work in the Trenton area. As usual, there are mostly comments written up live with only the lightest editing. Some comments may not reflect his statements or intent.


As background, Johnson tried to describe what he saw as the forces shaping The Isles. He pointed out that NGOs are set up so that they answer to funders, managers of organizations, and beneficiaries of their work. But, it is usually the funders who can really shape or steer things. He was involved with the national Success Measures Project about 10 years ago. "That which gets measured gets done."

Environmental Health issues are a key area of work
They are currently involved in coverting an old textile mill at the Hamilton-Trenton line into a LEED-Silver standard building. Trenton has 90 brownfields. But the homes can be more dangerous - especially as lead remains a threat in older communities like Trenton.

Promoting Financial Self-Reliance
The Isles uses techniques Individual Development Accounts which match every $3 saved with another dollar donated. The Isles is also promoting microlending techniques which can really make a difference.

Demographics
The problem is not trivial. Population in Trenton has dropped from 124k in 1940 to 85k in 2000. Mercer County has grown from 197k to 350k. Census data showed the poverty had deepened but also spread out over larger areas. Other indicators include the change in student eligibility for free lunch at school (the wealthiest school in Trenton is at 75% free lunch?).
"Thank God for GIS." It has shown us the patterns and helped us see what is really happening, quickly. He cited the help the have received from folks like Myron Orfield.

NJ has the 3rd most segregated schools for hispanic children and 5th most segregated for black. But we are BY FAR the most segregated by income. Today, more than 50% of NJ's residents are living in either in urban or distressed suburbs.

Marty also criticized the current system of regional contribution agreements - a "fair share" approach to affordable housing. This approach has fueled the concentration of poverty and further encouraged them to those who can to flee. We are creating lots of new jobs in places where there is no affordable housing. Yet, much of that pattern is due to public policy.

As he talked about Lessons Learned he pointed out that we have used an environmental approach based on Thou Shalt Not. We need to start trying the flip side of that saying effectively "build here and here". For New Jersey the inability to pursue annexation has been a connected problem - he described NJ as a small box state (deliberately avoiding "Home Rule").

He pointed out the deep need to elevate discussions of race - talk about things like white privilege, white flight.

Technology matters - even basic TIGER maps help. It has helped them prepare and position and understand and show what is going on. I interject for our students - please take a few minutes and explore the detailed demographic data online at SocialExplorer.Org. It is very detailed and very user friendly (I made these maps with it).
Here was a great lesson learned: The Magic is in the learning. It is important to do the work. The day-to-day work is makes a difference and keeps you inserted into the situation. BUT, the learning is what has kept him doing it.

When asked for lessons for designers, Marty came up with these:
1. Cultural competency
2. Manage participatory processes
3. Use technology