Linking GIS, youth environmental literacy, and city government functions to define and catalyze community heat resilience planning in Roanoke, VA

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dc.contributor.authorDillon, Maxwell Stewarten
dc.contributor.committeechairLim, Theodore C.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSchenk, Todden
dc.contributor.committeememberPingel, Thomasen
dc.contributor.departmentUrban Affairs and Planningen
dc.coverage.cityRoanokeen
dc.coverage.countryUnited Statesen
dc.coverage.stateVirginiaen
dc.date.accessioned2022-06-11T08:00:37Zen
dc.date.available2022-06-11T08:00:37Zen
dc.date.issued2022-06-10en
dc.description.abstractStatistics show that chronic heat exposure and extreme heat waves are the leading cause of death amongst natural disasters in urban spaces across the United States, outpacing the likes of more notable phenomena such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Heat in urban spaces is not distributed equally due to the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon which significantly elevates temperatures due to the various absorption characteristics of built environment features. Historical discriminatory mortgage lending schemes and planning practices that targeted communities of color have intensified that issue, endangering the health and well-being of marginalized neighborhoods to this day. Although generating feasible design solutions to mitigate the impact of heat in urban spaces represents a substantial challenge, utilizing readily available data sources to garner the social and political support required for actionable change is likely the more complex issue. Because youth are typically less jaded by external social and political influences and will either enjoy the benefits or suffer the consequences related to the built environment for their entire adult life, they possess a unique potential to serve as a vehicle for generating community momentum for the implementation of heat resilience solutions. This thesis explores the spatial distribution of heat throughout neighborhoods in Roanoke, Virginia by exploring both land surface temperature and air temperature discrepancies by Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) classification and census tract. I find that HOLC polygons not labeled "A" possess a considerably higher average temperature than the most "desirable" classification, and that there is a statistically significant inverse relationship between mean land surface temperature (aggregation of Landsat raster files) and census tract socio demographic characteristics such as median household income and percentage of residents aged 65 and over. This thesis also examines the potential of youth-focused science education programs to catalyze the political will necessary to enact resilience planning efforts that no single governmental agency is responsible for. I analyzed the various impacts that artifacts produced by a 2021 science education program conducted with Roanoke City middle school students inflicted on a 2022 focus group comprised of influential Roanoke public officials. I show the reasoning which supports that four primary opportunity and challenge categories – Breaking Down Silos, Spreading Awareness, Places and Venues, and Resources and Funding – can serve as foundational discussion components for heat resilience planning panels in the future. This thesis advances the awareness of disproportionate exposure to heat in urban spaces and contributes to theories attempting to trigger heat resilience planning efforts.en
dc.description.abstractgeneralExtreme heat presents a deadly threat to people, particularly those who live in cities. Heat is not distributed evenly throughout urban areas, with some places being hotter than others. Climate change is a force which will make that problem worse. As a result, it is important for planners and other leaders to implement strategies to solve that issue. Engaging youth in the planning process is one way to speed that process up. This thesis explores whether neighborhoods in Roanoke, Virginia experience different levels of heat stress. I find that areas which have historically been deemed by the government to be "most desirable" are typically cooler than others. This research also examines the ability of youth education programs to compel relevant decision makers to act on an issue. Through an analysis of a focus group discussion, I show that the experiences and ideas of Roanoke City middle school students encouraged Roanoke City public officials to respond to their concerns. Four major themes related to heat resilience opportunity and challenge areas emerged – Breaking Down Silos, Spreading Awareness, Places and Venues, and Resources and Funding.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Urban and Regional Planningen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:34765en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/110749en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjecturban planningen
dc.subjectgeographic information systemsen
dc.subjectheat resilienceen
dc.subjectscience educationen
dc.titleLinking GIS, youth environmental literacy, and city government functions to define and catalyze community heat resilience planning in Roanoke, VAen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineUrban and Regional Planningen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Urban and Regional Planningen

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