CMG is committed to cultivating diversity in our practice, profession, and community.

Back to

We embrace and celebrate differences in our studio and our communities. To maintain a high level of design and quality of life, we seek diverse perspectives so our work will reflect the broader world. Building an inclusive design culture and process begins with our own practice and communities; doing so is critical to crafting inclusive public spaces and sustaining democracy.

Our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Initiative is a vital step forward that embodies our mission and values, and actively fosters equity within our office, our discipline, and our community.

We are working toward these commitments by:

  • Encouraging diversity and equity within our office to ensure everyone feels comfortable being their authentic self. We cultivate an inclusive and diverse studio culture by critically reviewing and improving our internal practices such as hiring, project leadership, and multicultural holiday celebrations.
  • Deepening our practice of landscape architecture through education, discourse, and collaboration. We continue to learn and gain inspiration from communities, designers, urban planners, and community organizers who are leading design processes and building spaces that are equitable and inclusive.
  • Increasing representation in our field and practice. To inspire and support a new, more diverse generation of designers, CMG strives to make the profession and education accessible through outreach to K-12 schools, scholarships, and internships.
  • Seeking out and designing projects that fulfill our socio-ecological mission. We strive to help communities create inclusive public spaces that bring together people from all walks of life and foster democracy.

Ideas

BayMeadows_960x540

Democratic Public Space

ideas

In ancient Greek cities, the agora brought people together in the same space for daily life, including commerce, politics, and social interaction. This was at a time when the European idea of democracy, or “people power” was conceived. There is a direct relationship between people sharing space with one another and caring about one another. Inclusive public space that brings together diverse people from all walks of life is more important than ever for sustaining democracy.

Places

01 Willie Landing Page_Thumbnail_1920x1080

Willie “Woo Woo” Wong Playground

parks/public space

Willie ‘Woo Woo’ Wong Playground is one of Chinatown’s few historic, significant outdoor spaces. As the only park in the neighborhood for active outdoor recreation, it is used by Chinatown residents of all ages. As one of the nation’s most densely populated urban areas, this renovation of an historical public open space is immensely important.
01 Civic Center Engagement_CMG_Thumbnail_1920x1080

Civic Center Community Outreach

engagement

The vision for Civic Center represents eighteen months of community and City stakeholder input. Founded upon engagement and analysis, the Plan includes concept alternatives and a preferred concept plan uniting Civic Center’s three public spaces: Civic Center Plaza, Fulton Mall and UN Plaza.
01 Estuary Commons_CMG_Thumbnail_1920x1080

Estuary Commons Co-Creation

engagement

To protect local neighborhoods and restore native habitats, All Bay Collective (ABC) rethinks the shoreline around San Leandro Bay. Through Estuary Commons, the communities of Deep East Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro will be able to adapt to sea-level rise, groundwater flooding and have a network of flourishing greenways to enjoy for generations to come. ABC has worked closely with eight community organizations from East Oakland to move the communities from the margins to the center of the design and planning process.