Geography – �鶹��Ƶ

Using GIS to Assess Seismic Vulnerability in National City

Ada Inman — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:38:10 +0000

This report presents a comprehensive assessment of seismic vulnerability in National City, completed by students from San Diego State University’s Geography 584 (GIS Applications) course in collaboration with the Sage Project and the City of National City. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the project combined a parcel-level inventory of residential buildings with geophysical and social data to identify patterns of vulnerability across neighborhoods. Key factors analyzed included soil type, slope, and liquefaction risk, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s Social Vulnerability Index. These elements were incorporated into a Weighted Linear Combination model to produce a composite vulnerability score for each parcel in National City. Due to time constraints, the final analysis in this report was conducted for all parcels citywide; however, future work will refine the queries to focus specifically on residential parcels. The results highlight where physical hazards and social vulnerabilities overlap, providing city officials with a data-driven foundation for hazard mitigation planning, infrastructure retrofits, and targeted community outreach.

TV Butte Quarry: Environmental Impact Assessment

Ada Inman — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 17:46:43 +0000

StoneBroke LLC proposed the development of Old Hazeldell Quarry, a gravel quarry located on TV Butte just outside of Oakridge, Oregon. The City of Oakridge partnered with students from the University of Oregon to preliminarily evaluate and map the potential environmental impacts of the proposed quarry using publicly available ArcGIS data sets. Specific concerns regarding the proposed development include potential impacts to community health and assets, potential water contamination, and potential wildlife disruption. Informed by standard Environmental Impact Assessment strategies, the students completed a series of spatial evaluations as follows:
• Social Impacts: Estimated visual impacts and quarry proximity to residential, commercial, and recreational properties within and around Oakridge.
• Air Quality Impacts: Estimated spread of fine particulate matter (i.e. dust) from proposed quarry activities, including gravel crushing, driving on unpaved roads, loading and unloading of trucks, and quarrying.
• Noise Impacts: Estimated travel distance of noise from proposed quarry activities, including the use of explosives and truck traffic.
• Hydrologic Impacts: Estimated impacts to both private and public water sources, including groundwater and surface water quality.
• Ecological Impacts: Quarry proximity to ecologically sensitive habitats and species.
• Natural Disasters: Estimated interactions between the proposed quarry site and potential natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides.

Based on the student evaluations completed in this report, the greatest impacts to the Oakridge community anticipated from the presence of the proposed quarry include:
• Changes to views of the landscape, which could be seen from all areas of the city;
• Potential noise disturbances, as loud as a vacuum, which could be heard in the Mill River Park area;
• Disturbance of an existing elk grazing site, though not to prime migratory corridors; and
• Potential localized landslides, which impact the historic landfill and could potentially result in new or increased impacted drainage from the historic landfill area (the latter statement is not supported with modeling or sample results).

Further assessment by qualified professionals is recommended to consider the severity of the potential impacts listed above. Additionally, the authors wish to note that sampling of the historic landfill area and establishment of a surface and groundwater monitoring program would aid in building trust between Stonebroke LLC and the community of Oakridge.

Housing Burden and Health in State College Borough

Ada Inman — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 17:17:54 +0000

State College Borough is home to a significant transient population consisting of many students who live off campus. This has created a strong demand for rental housing that has resulted in ever increasing rents. This in turn have displaced low-income workers in the Borough. The Borough of State College is interested in data relating to the affordability of rental properties in the borough, trends in the rental market, and discrimination as experienced by students and other tenants. For this project, student develop and test a survey tool to collect the appropriate data to better understand the rental market in State College.

Sustainable Communities Collaborative Contact Info
University Faculty Contact
Louisa Holmes
Associate Professor of Geography and Demography
lmholmes@psu.edu
814-865-1596

Sustainable management of natural environments of a Mapuche community in the city of Junín, Buenos Aires: environmental impacts and risks in the face of climate change

Ada Inman — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:35:15 +0000

The Mapuche Community of Campo La Cruz was settled on the outskirts of Junín, Buenos Aires, Argentina, following a process of colonization and conquest during the 19th century. Located on the temperate plains of the humid pampas, its ecosystem consists of grasslands and prairies, although the expansion of agriculture and the city replaced much of the original vegetation. Members of the Mapuche community joined Junín early on as suppliers of handcrafted adobe bricks, giving rise to a productive tradition that is a key component of their identity. This practice has significant environmental impacts, which led to conflicts with the municipal government, which sought to prohibit land extraction and halt environmental damage. From a transdisciplinary perspective, our goal is to collaboratively co-design Ecosystem-based Adaptation strategies to improve the management of the community’s environment, respecting its productive and reproductive traditions, in order to increase resilience and adaptation to climate change. To this end, we propose to conduct a diagnosis and assessment of the environmental risks linked to climate change for the city’s urban and peri-urban ecosystem; promote the environmental remediation of the “slums” generated by brickmaking activity in Campo La Cruz; and encourage a progressive productive conversion from traditional adobe brick manufacturing to ecological alternatives such as bricks made from recycled plastics. These initiatives will help people adapt to climate change, reducing social and environmental vulnerability, reducing the risk of flooding, and contributing to food and livelihood security, in an action that revalues the community’s cultural identity. Environmental remediation increases the resilience of grasslands to climatic variations, helps stabilize the soil and retain moisture, promoting the development of biodiversity. Furthermore, the production of ecological bricks reduces greenhouse gas emissions, promotes energy efficiency, and contributes to a waste management strategy, reducing pollution in the urban ecosystem.

Open-Source Oakridge: Exploring Open-Source Software and Creating a Buildable Lands Survey for the City of Oakridge

Ada Inman — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 17:59:44 +0000

A team of students in Advanced GIS conducted a two part project to support GIS development needs and application for the City of Oakridge.

First, students conducted a comparative analysis of four leading open-source Geographic Information Systems (GIS) products. Given that Oakridge uses open-source GIS software for their planning work, staff sought clarification on what software would best suit City needs. During the research process, students created an evaluation framework based on literature review findings to score each software program. Students then created a Qualtrics survey targeting University of Oregon students who had experience with GIS software then scored the software again based off the survey results. Students then scored these software again based off the survey results. The survey results were expected among students and City staff and reaffirmed the City’s initial software choice. Although the survey could not provide a fully accurate comparison, due to its sample size and timeframe, it did provide valuable insight on student experiences with other GIS software. Although not applicable to the City of Oakridge, the survey also highlighted potential disconnects if used in an academic setting.

The second component of this project created a buildable lands survey, which could provide City staff insight on development-feasibility and assist with densification efforts in the future. This report includes data on housing insecurity, which students researched before conducting their mapping analysis. Students then established a series of criteria based on their research, information provided by the City of Oakridge, and data that was manually created in Arc-GIS pro. Students applied these criteria as separate layers, which eventually yielded a final map showcasing parcels that could be suitable for various levels of densification. The total acreage of suitable parcels was very encouraging as it exceeded Oakridge staff’s initial request to establish at lease 60 acres of parcels that would be suitable for densification.

Paradise Creek Wetland Expansion in National City, CA

Ada Inman — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 17:19:09 +0000

The National City Paradise Creek expansion project is intended to expand Paradise Creek wetland protection and meet community needs by designing an alternative land use for the welding shop on West 18th Street in National City, CA. The goals of this project include minimizing stormwater runoff, reducing stream degradation, preserving the wetlands and open space, encouraging pedestrian activity, providing small retail, and incorporating Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Green Building Code Standards. Students from San Diego State University (SDSU), in partnership with the Sage Project and the City of National City, were tasked with creating these designs. After visiting the site and doing extensive research on site and cost constraints, six SketchUp site plans were created by six groups of students. The different site designs included a coffee shop/dog run, a community center/food truck area, an art studio/rental space, a community meeting space with ecological lookout tower, an outdoor fitness area, and a green roof daycare/event center. Some common design proposal aspects were recurring as they were deemed of high importance to the community and the site. Many of the site designs retain some form of the welding shop structure, introduce restroom facilities, and a design layout that would allow for intermittent flooding. It is recommended that these three aspects are incorporated into the final design in one capacity or another. With these additions and improvements to the site, the needs of the community and the City’s Westside Specific Plan can be met, all while retaining the natural function and beauty of the wetland.

National City Brownfields Revitalization

Ada Inman — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 15:38:45 +0000

The SDSU Brownfields Assessment Project at San Diego State University (SDSU) aims to support revitalization of the National City downtown area and meet community needs by designing alternative land uses for brownfields in the community, and this report focuses on solutions for one site at 1028 A Avenue in National City, CA. The goals of this project include street activation, providing sustainable and affordable housing, encouraging pedestrian activity, providing green spaces, and incorporating Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Green Building Code Standards. SDSU students from by David DeVries’ GEOG 572 Land Use Analysis, in partnership with the Sage Project and the City of National City, were tasked with creating these designs. After visiting the site and doing extensive research on site and cost constraints, five SketchUp site plans were created by five groups of students. The different site designs included mixed use apartments, micro units, coworking and/or cooperative spaces, and rooftop amenities. Some common design proposal aspects were recurring as they were deemed of high importance to the community and the site. Many of the site designs retain some of the green space by incorporating it into the roofs or walls, introduce a large number of housing units, and a design layout that would activate the street and provide other amenities for the area. It is recommended that these three aspects are incorporated into the final design in one capacity or another. With these additions and improvements to the site, the needs of the community and the City’s Downtown Specific Plan can be met, all while retaining the unique artistic character of the neighborhood.

Navigating Urban Networks: A GIS Exploration of Walkability in Salem, Oregon

Ada Inman — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:26:45 +0000

The City of Salem, Oregon, has shown dedication to achieving sustainability goals and revitalizing its neighborhoods by conducting walkability and comprehensive corridors assessments. As part of the Sustainable City Year Program, students from the Geography Department at the University of Oregon participated in an Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) class in collaboration with Salem to uncover and address the deficits in pedestrian pathways and to strategize enhancements to the city’s walkable corridors. By leveraging the city’s geospatial data, the students crafted an array of network service area maps, density maps, and weighted overlay maps using ArcGIS technology. The analyses considered demographic distribution, the location of public amenities, urban zoning, and commuting behaviors to assess the feasibility of pedestrian navigation in Salem. Students focused on three main variables: diversity, equity, and inclusion; pedestrian safety; and sidewalk accessibility. In examination of these focal points, the data not only captures the current state of Salem’s pedestrian pathways but also aligns with broader community needs. The ensuing narrative will summarize our research into clear recommendations for improving walkability in Salem, providing an overview suitable for readers interested in actionable strategies.

Balboa Park: A Governance Analysis and Recommendation

Ada Inman — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 18:41:16 +0000

The Sage Project at San Diego State University (SDSU) was commissioned to develop recommendations pertaining to governance methods utilized for Balboa Park. This comprehensive report addresses what governance model, or models, are the best fit for Balboa Park taking into consideration factors such as size, location, physical features, and the region itself. As part of Dr. Amy Quandt’s Geography 570 Environmental Conservation Practice course at SDSU, students were able to collaborate with community stakeholders and SDSU faculty and staff in order to conduct necessary research to address this matter. This report takes into consideration both the history of the governance and development of the park. The report addresses the multitude of relevant factors that impact the governance of the park. Furthermore, the report evaluates other comparable, urban parks such as Grant Park, located in Chicago, Illinois, and Golden Gate Park, located in San Francisco, California, and their respective governance strategies in order to determine whether they may translate appropriately to Balboa Park. The strengths and weaknesses of the current governance strategy for Balboa Park are also evaluated. Through this research, comprehensive recommendations are able to be developed in order to mitigate and capitalize on these aspects while also ensuring that Balboa Park properly serves both community members of San Diego and the large tourism network that Balboa Park garners. The methodology utilized in order to provide this set of recommendations is also indicated. Following the recommendations, the feasibility of implementing them on a wide scale is also considered.

Exploring county-level conservation and sustainability initiatives for Outagamie County

Ada Inman — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 17:50:56 +0000

This report presents conservation and sustainability initiatives addressing land and water conservation, renewable energy, transportation, food sustainability, and sustainable development that can be implemented on the county level with the support of government, nonprofit, and commercial organizations. UniverCity Year Contact Info: UniverCityAlliance@wisc.edu [...]