Environmental Justice and Urban Forestry

1.  Environmental Justice and Urban Forestry

3. UEI Theory of Change Social and environmental well-being are inextricably linked STORY: I wish the cameras were here to see us all working together. Great Neighborhood �We must cease seeing the City as a problem. We must see the City as the solution.� -The Charter of Calcutta, 1990 Vision: We, the Urban Ecology Institute, envision a city that is a leader in sustainability, democracy, and green economics. Theory of Change: We at UEI believe that social and environmental well-being are inextricably linked. Healthy, vibrant cities are only possible if people understand and respect their environment, feel empowered and connected to others, and are engaged in transforming their urban communities into places where they want to live. STORY: I wish the cameras were here to see us all working together. Great Neighborhood �We must cease seeing the City as a problem. We must see the City as the solution.� -The Charter of Calcutta, 1990 Vision: We, the Urban Ecology Institute, envision a city that is a leader in sustainability, democracy, and green economics. Theory of Change: We at UEI believe that social and environmental well-being are inextricably linked. Healthy, vibrant cities are only possible if people understand and respect their environment, feel empowered and connected to others, and are engaged in transforming their urban communities into places where they want to live.

4. EJ Theory Suggests Communities of Color have: More environmental disamenities Fewer environmental amenities Less access to decision-making processes You might want to explain/give examples of 1) environmental disamenities/amenities and 2) decision-making processes (eg siting of incinerators, landfills, haz waste facilities) You might want to explain/give examples of 1) environmental disamenities/amenities and 2) decision-making processes (eg siting of incinerators, landfills, haz waste facilities)

5. MA Study by Faber & Kreig Communities of color average more than 4 x�s the number of hazardous waste sites Exposed to nearly 5 x�s as many lbs. of chemicals Communities where people of color make up 15% or more of total pop. avg. more than 4 times the # of haz waste sites as communities w/less than 5% people of color Communities where people of color make up 25% or more of the total pop avg nearly 5 times as many pounds of chemical emissions from industrial facilities per sq. mile, compared to communities where less than 5% of the pop are people of colorCommunities where people of color make up 15% or more of total pop. avg. more than 4 times the # of haz waste sites as communities w/less than 5% people of color Communities where people of color make up 25% or more of the total pop avg nearly 5 times as many pounds of chemical emissions from industrial facilities per sq. mile, compared to communities where less than 5% of the pop are people of color

6. MA Study by Faber and Kreig Low income communities exposed to nearly 7 x�s as many lbs. of chemicals Low income communities average nearly 2.5 x�s more waste sites and 4 x�s as many waste sites per square mile Communities w/median household income of less than $30,000 avg nearly 7 times as many lbs of chemical emissions from industrial facilities per sq mile than communs w/median incomes of $40,000 or more Communs w/median household incomes of less than $30,000 avg nearly 2.5 times more waste sites than communs w/median hsehold incomes of $40,000 or more. They also avg more than 4 times as many waste sites per sq mile. Communities w/median household income of less than $30,000 avg nearly 7 times as many lbs of chemical emissions from industrial facilities per sq mile than communs w/median incomes of $40,000 or more Communs w/median household incomes of less than $30,000 avg nearly 2.5 times more waste sites than communs w/median hsehold incomes of $40,000 or more. They also avg more than 4 times as many waste sites per sq mile.

7. EJ and Forestry: The Third Wave Media Focus Environmental Justice: Social Justice Critique Just Sustainability Integrating environmental and social justice outcomes

8. Urban Forestry and Justice in Boston

10. UTC Project Goals Monetary value for the services the urban forest is providing Boston Assess which areas are most in need of more green/less gray infrastructure Develop implementation strategy with the City Target key opportunity zones Public and private properties MONETARY air quality improvements storm water mitigation Track benefits as the forest expands or decreases MONETARY air quality improvements storm water mitigation Track benefits as the forest expands or decreases

11. Determining Boston�s current and potential UTC through remote sensing UTC data was collected using high resolution .5m remote sensing imagery � Imagery was then classified in a land cover data set as: canopy cover, plantable space, water and marsh land, or impervious surfaces.

12. Acres Acers Acres Acers

16. GROW BOSTON GREENER is a collaborative effort of the City of Boston and its partners in Boston�s Urban Forest Coalition (BUFC) to plant 100,000 new trees in the City by 2020. GBG is not a specific City program that is financed and staffed by the City. The City participates in the program through fundraising and within the context of its existing programs. The actual implementation of the tree planting efforts is by members of the BUFC.GBG is not a specific City program that is financed and staffed by the City. The City participates in the program through fundraising and within the context of its existing programs. The actual implementation of the tree planting efforts is by members of the BUFC.

17. Tree canopy, EJ, and Violence in the Inner City: Understanding the connections What�s the relationship between EJ and violence? Can the condition of the physical environment really encourage or inhibit violence? Can we reduce incidence of violence by improving the physical environment in the city? Yes? No to both? Let�s look at the research. What�s the relationship between EJ and violence? Can the condition of the physical environment really encourage or inhibit violence? Can we reduce incidence of violence by improving the physical environment in the city? Yes? No to both? Let�s look at the research.

18. Case Study: Ida B. Wells housing developmentChicago, IL Residents randomly assigned: assures crime rate differences are not because buildings with more barren surroundings attract a certain type of resident, such as someone prone to criminal activity or victimization. Personal characteristics: Characteristics that may affect a resident�s inclination toward crime (educational background, income level) are similar across buildings. Residents randomly assigned: assures crime rate differences are not because buildings with more barren surroundings attract a certain type of resident, such as someone prone to criminal activity or victimization. Personal characteristics: Characteristics that may affect a resident�s inclination toward crime (educational background, income level) are similar across buildings.

19. Case Study: Ida B. Wells housing developmentChicago, IL

20. Case Study: Ida B. Wells housing developmentChicago, IL Add chart from Kuo presentationAdd chart from Kuo presentation

21. Social Ecological Complexity Data Percent Canopy Cover Social Capital Willingness to Volunteer Move away (neighborhood desirability) Analysis Percent canopy cover Telephone survey Results Significant differences exist among clusters, evident in the sharp �canyons� in the silhouette plot of the clusters (panel A) Two main types of clusters (panel B and table 1), a conservation cluster where canopy cover is relatively high�cluster 1 and cluster 3--and a rehabilitation cluster�clusters 2, 4, and 5. Significantly different sub-clusters exist with the conservation cluster and the rehabilitation cluster, reflecting differences in capacity for neighborhood collective action, willingness to participate in environmental watershed activities, and neighborhood desirability (would the household respondent move if they could?). Note that these variables are not �arbitrary� or �trivial� indicators to decision making; they reflect important considerations for urban and community foresters in their development of plans for action and for monitoring and evaluation of results.Data Percent Canopy Cover Social Capital Willingness to Volunteer Move away (neighborhood desirability) Analysis Percent canopy cover Telephone survey Results Significant differences exist among clusters, evident in the sharp �canyons� in the silhouette plot of the clusters (panel A) Two main types of clusters (panel B and table 1), a conservation cluster where canopy cover is relatively high�cluster 1 and cluster 3--and a rehabilitation cluster�clusters 2, 4, and 5. Significantly different sub-clusters exist with the conservation cluster and the rehabilitation cluster, reflecting differences in capacity for neighborhood collective action, willingness to participate in environmental watershed activities, and neighborhood desirability (would the household respondent move if they could?). Note that these variables are not �arbitrary� or �trivial� indicators to decision making; they reflect important considerations for urban and community foresters in their development of plans for action and for monitoring and evaluation of results.

22. Neighborhood Stability Neighborhood Crime Rate �Neighbors� Willingness to Act� for each other Neighborhood gardens Community Forestry Mental Health Fatigue and Aggression Concentration

23. Chicago Heat Wave of 1995 �According to emergency workers, the task was equivalent to handling one fatal jetliner crash per day for three consecutive days.� Klinenberg, 2002, Heat Wave: a social autopsy of disaster in Chicago.

24. Heat Wave: a social autopsy of disaster in Chicago

25. Parks and Property Values Homes within 1,500 feet of a natural area show significant property premiums: an average of $10,648! Each large front yard tree adds 1% to sales price. Large trees can add 10% or more. Let�s look at some related research. 1. While dense vegetation has been shown to increase opportunity for crime (think, places to hide), a well maintained park can be seen as a �territorial marker� showing the criminals that residents care about and are involved in their surroundings (2006, Troy and Grove). Let�s look at some related research. 1. While dense vegetation has been shown to increase opportunity for crime (think, places to hide), a well maintained park can be seen as a �territorial marker� showing the criminals that residents care about and are involved in their surroundings (2006, Troy and Grove).

26. Parks, crime and property values Well designed and maintained parks can deter crime A study in Baltimore looked at over 25,000 homes, their proximity to parks and the rate of robbery in or near parks The results showed a positive relationship between parks and home values in low-crime neighborhoods, but the opposite was true in high-crime neighborhoods The average rate for Baltimore is 723% of the national average. The distinction between high crime and low crime (or where the relationship changed) was at 650% of the national average robbery rate. In other words, below 650, park proximity has a positive effect on home values and above 650 it has a negative effect (2006, Troy and Grove)The average rate for Baltimore is 723% of the national average. The distinction between high crime and low crime (or where the relationship changed) was at 650% of the national average robbery rate. In other words, below 650, park proximity has a positive effect on home values and above 650 it has a negative effect (2006, Troy and Grove)

27. EJ and violence: Understanding the links Greenery has a calming effect. Green spaces are places where residents can gather and build community. Green spaces give neighborhoods the appearance of being cared for. VACANT LAND: Communities that have suffered indignities and environmental injustices are daily reminded of the weight of their circumstance. This has been true of the women of Kenya, who each day are forced to carry back-breaking loads of firewood farther and father from the disappearing forests to their homes. And it is true in Dorchester where abandoned, overgrown land is a constant, if unintentional, reminder to our young people of our attitude toward them. Saying that planting a tree will solve the violence plaguing these neighborhoods is too simplistic given the complexity of the problems. But bringing residents together to discuss--and then bring about--the transformation of neglected lands in their neighborhoods provides a powerful way to bridge differences and build strong, ongoing social networks.� A 2005 Harvard study in Chicago pointed to neighborhood projects such as community planting programs and urban gardens as the best method for building the social networks that in turn increase public safety. VACANT LAND: Communities that have suffered indignities and environmental injustices are daily reminded of the weight of their circumstance. This has been true of the women of Kenya, who each day are forced to carry back-breaking loads of firewood farther and father from the disappearing forests to their homes. And it is true in Dorchester where abandoned, overgrown land is a constant, if unintentional, reminder to our young people of our attitude toward them. Saying that planting a tree will solve the violence plaguing these neighborhoods is too simplistic given the complexity of the problems. But bringing residents together to discuss--and then bring about--the transformation of neglected lands in their neighborhoods provides a powerful way to bridge differences and build strong, ongoing social networks.� A 2005 Harvard study in Chicago pointed to neighborhood projects such as community planting programs and urban gardens as the best method for building the social networks that in turn increase public safety.

28. Case Studies intro: Planting trees is the planting of peace and hope, and also of human dignity. The simple planting of trees is an expression of power for residents of marginalized communities. It is an opportunity for people to seize responsibility for the condition of their lives, and for the well-being of their families and neighbors. In our work we have seen how these efforts empower communities to better their lives, and to stand up for their rights. Case Studies intro: Planting trees is the planting of peace and hope, and also of human dignity. The simple planting of trees is an expression of power for residents of marginalized communities. It is an opportunity for people to seize responsibility for the condition of their lives, and for the well-being of their families and neighbors. In our work we have seen how these efforts empower communities to better their lives, and to stand up for their rights.

29. References Luttik. 2000. �The Value of Trees, Water and Open Space as Reflected by House Prices in the Netherlands.� Landscape and Urban Planning 48:161-167. Nicholls, S. and J. Crompton. 2005. �The Impact of Greenways on Property Values: Evidence from Austin, Texas.� Journal of Leisure Research 37:321-341. Troy, Austin and Morgan Grove. 2006. �Property Values, Parks, and Crime: A hedonic analysis in Baltimore, MD.� Working paper. Tyrvainen, L., and A. Miettinen. 2000. �Property Prices and Urban Forest Amenities.� Journal of Economics and Environmental Management 39:205-223. Anderson, L.M.; Cordell, H.K. �Residential Property Values Improve by Landscaping With Trees.� Southern Journal of Applied Forestry, 9 (1988): 162-166.

30. Contacts and more information: Charlie Lord Executive Director Urban Ecology Institute (617) 552-0928 lordca@bc.edu Urban Ecology Institute: www.urbaneco.org