USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center
Abstract
The consequences of climate change and urbanization have increased heat, air pollution, and flood risks in urban areas. Green spaces—parks, trees, trails, and gardens—are multifunctional solutions that help communities adapt to these various climate vulnerabilities, promoting urban resiliency through the socio-ecological service they provide. Yet, low-income communities and neighborhoods of color are often deprived of these services. As a result, this study utilizes a multi-criteria analysis to assess a variety of social, climate, and green space indicators in North and South Sacramento, two racially diverse and historically marginalized communities, to recommend more robust green space implementation strategies. Priority areas are identified along the northeastern and eastern edge of North Sacramento and within the central area and eastern boundary of South Sacramento, concluding that both communities could benefit from the additional park and tree investments to meet the area\u27s unique climate needs. Recommendations to maximize green space benefits include: 1) considering multifunctionality in all green space implementation projects 2) further assessing priority areas to identify appropriate locations for future green spaces 3) effectively and equitably engaging with community stakeholders 4) utilizing GIS to better integrate both social equity and climate data 5) consider environmental justice concerns and basic needs of the communities 6) designing green spaces to meet the unique climate and social needs of the areas. These recommendations will serve as a model to direct City of Sacramento decision-makers and planners to consider social and ecological variables in future green space projects in North and South Sacramento
