Graduation Date
Spring 2018
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Social Science, Environment and Community
Committee Chair Name
Yvonne Everett
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Laurie Richmond
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
John Meyer
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Subject Categories
Environment and Community
Abstract
In 2000, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found the City of Philadelphia to be in violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972 due to insufficient stormwater infrastructure. In 2011, Philadelphia initiated a 25-year, citywide plan called Green City, Clean Waters to reduce stormwater runoff by implementing green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). The plan promised significant community involvement in the process. I conducted semi-structured interviews with City employees and individuals in the community that have partnered with the City to administer GSI and participant observation of community meetings and used them to explore different neighborhoods’ experiences with Green City, Clean Waters and the work that the City is doing to connect with the community. I then created an analytical framework to address resilience, reconnecting society and nature, sustainable urban governance and planning, social justice in urban redevelopment, community trust in government, collaboration, and stormwater management and sea level rise to evaluate Green City, Clean Waters’ prioritization of community involvement and greater citywide sustainability. Philadelphia has been surpassing its goals for reducing stormwater runoff and increasing GSI, but to achieve its long-term goals for Green City, Clean Waters, it will need help from the community. Recommendations I make for Green City, Clean Waters going forward include: dynamic public outreach; upgrading methods of communication with the community; community group networking; connecting with peer organizations; self-evaluation of progress; large-scale habitat restoration; and building momentum for citywide sustainability.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Groff, Julie, "Stormwater management in Philadelphia: the importance of green stormwater infrastructure and community involvement in greater citywide sustainability" (2018). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 147.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/147
Included in
Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Infrastructure Commons