Date of Degree Completion
Spring 2021
Degree Type
Capstone - Open Access
Degree Name
Master of Education (MEd)
Department
Education
Instructor/Advisor
Audrey Falk
Second Advisor
Melissa Nemon
Abstract
The overdevelopment of cities has caused residents to suffer from environmental and economic harm. Situated near a steel mill and a highway, and with less than 20% tree canopy, the Slavic Village neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio is a community that may be in need of environmental justice. The movement to introduce green elements to urban environments is growing, and there are clear economic benefits to greening urban areas. Using art as a tool for education, this project proposes a series of six sustainable art installations that attempt to teach the community about environmental issues. Using this art project as a model, five interviews were conducted with leaders at community organizations who work in the Slavic Village neighborhood. The interviewees gave feedback that could be categorized into positive comments, concerns, environmental justice issues, potential barriers, avenues of engagement, similar projects and partnership ideas. This led to ideas for how this project could work or be adapted to better fit the community. This project could be used as a guide in preparation of community work that deals with vacant land or environmental justice issues. Further studies might take this project into the community to get feedback from neighbors before implementing aspects of the model.
Recommended Citation
Connolly, Patrick, "Activating Vacant Spaces: An Art and Environmental Justice Project - Assessment in Cleveland, Ohio’s Slavic Village Neighborhood" (2021). Community Engagement Student Work. 52.
https://scholarworks.merrimack.edu/soe_student_ce/52
Included in
Art and Design Commons, Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Economics Commons, Environmental Sciences Commons, Environmental Studies Commons