This $1,773,351 Project Grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (CFDA 47.050 - Geosciences) to George Mason University supports an interdisciplinary research project to reduce the vulnerability of underserved communities in Philadelphia, PA to the mobility impacts of urban nuisance flooding exacerbated by climate change. The project aims to:
Identify the spatiotemporal extent of nuisance flood risk; 2) Develop novel strategies to mitigate the mobility barriers and disparities induced by urban nuisance flooding in underserved communities; and 3) Construct a science-based, community-centered interactive strategic planning approach to achieve equitable adaptation to evolving nuisance flood risks.
The project will involve close collaboration with community partners and includes a $200,000 sub-award to Villanova University to conduct qualitative and quantitative research on the systemic mobility barriers and coping strategies of marginalized individuals. The goal is to inform equitable transportation policies and processes that can improve access and resilience in underserved communities impacted by nuisance flooding.