Pasadena Begins Work on Its First Environmental Justice Element, Asking Residents Where the Burdens Fall Hardest

For the first time in its history, the City of Pasadena is preparing a planning document that will formally identify environmental burdens and inequities in Pasadena — and the city wants residents, beginning today, to help shape the response.

The Planning Department is launching a community engagement effort tied to the development of Pasadena’s first Environmental Justice Element, which the city says will comply with California Senate Bill 1000.

According to the city’s announcement, the process is intended to ensure that “residents most impacted by environmental and health disparities have a central role in shaping policies, programs, and investments that affect their daily lives.” The program, the city said, will also “advance the City of Pasadena’s commitment to equity, public health, and environmental sustainability.”

The Environmental Justice Element will combine data analysis, community input and policy development focused on key environmental justice topics, including: air quality and exposure to pollution sources; access to healthy and affordable food; access to public facilities and programs; safe, sanitary and affordable housing; active living and physical activity; and what the city describes as “inclusive and meaningful community engagement.”

The public engagement effort begins today at Pasadena’s Annual Family Fun Day, held Saturday, May 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at La Pintoresca Park, where a dedicated Environmental Justice booth will allow residents to meet the team, learn about the program and share early feedback.

Broader engagement, the city said, will include bilingual pop-up events, community workshops, youth meetings and surveys, and will be “designed to reach residents across all Pasadena neighborhoods, with intentional focus on communities most impacted by environmental burdens.”

Residents can complete the program’s survey online at bit.ly/Ejpasadena or in person at today’s booth. The city has set a survey deadline of Friday, July 31.

More information about the Environmental Justice Element and upcoming outreach opportunities is available at bit.ly/PasadenaEJelement, or by contacting the Environmental Justice Element Administrator at EJElement@CityOfPasadena.net.

Residents can also reach out to the City Service Center can be reached Monday through Friday during business hours at (626) 744-7311.