Breathing Life Into Environmental Data with Harmonized, Interactive, FOSS Applications
Topics: Applied Geography
, Health and Medical
, Geographic Information Science and Systems
Keywords: FOSS, open source, R, GeoDa, JS, trees, equity, air pollution, environmental justice
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 09:40 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 11:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 37
Authors:
Marynia Aniela Kolak, University of Chicago
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Abstract
To better understand and measure environmental quality in city neighborhoods, and how this intersects with socially vulnerable communities, we partnered with city stakeholders to develop a series of open FOSS applications. First, we developed a statistical neural net model to estimate PM 2.5 at 1-km, monthly resolution from 2014-2018 in Chicago to identify small area air pollution trends. We implemented an interactive R Shiny application to explore model predictions and associated covariates. Our team found that areas with fewer trees had an association with higher modeled air pollution levels. Other research has shown that historically redlined, segregated areas often have fewer trees. When combined with Chicago’s industrial past, access to more “natural capital” (like trees) shapes how the environment impacts health and wellbeing in different neighborhoods. In response, we developed a custom tree equity tool and community data platform with WebGeoDa to make data and analytics accessible to policymakers and communities alike. We wrangled dozens of datasets into standardized format for evidence-based decision making, including satellite measures of surface temperature to approximate heat effects; converting traffic volume from major roads to neighborhood averages; and 5-year summer averages of fine particulate matter. Using modern cartography and analytics, we crafted a custom basemap that actually integrates vectorized trees as a main feature of the map for the tree toolkit. The tool is already being integrated across multiple City departments with collaboration of multiple community organizations, and will support a regional tree initiative.
Breathing Life Into Environmental Data with Harmonized, Interactive, FOSS Applications
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Virtual Paper Abstract
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