Abrielle Williams

My objective is to raise awareness about the effects of green space gentrification in communities. While green spaces offer numerous benefits, including enhanced public health, climate adaptability, and improved community aesthetics, they can also lead to rising property values and rental costs, ultimately displacing vulnerable populations. Highlighting this issue encourages a more equitable approach to urban development, ensuring that green spaces contribute to community enrichment without driving residents out. I participated in the EcoliteracySCHOOL (Students Collaborating in Health-Oriented Outdoor Learning). For my project planning, I conducted a literature review of peer-reviewed sources about greenspaces and health effects due to gentrification to gain insight on topic. During my implementation, I created a powerpoint with information regarding the positive and negative of adding greenspaces into different areas; I also included ways to prevent this normality. My project included a drawing activity to show what they learned about the outcome of affected neighborhoods. Discussing green space gentrification is important because it highlights the often-overlooked social consequences of urban greening initiatives. Overall, I learned that project planning is essential for communities because it ensures that development projects are carefully planned to address all residents' needs and prevent unintended negative outcomes. This provides a clearer understanding of how to address this public health concern and ensuring that environmental progress benefits everyone.