Abstract

GIS Applications in Campus-Community Urban Forestry and Health Education
Track: Community Projects and Partnerships
Author(s): David Padgett, Joshua Idassi, Mohamed Kanu

Geographic information systems, global positioning systems, and digital aerial photographs are applied to develop a conceptual model of a neighborhood 'urban tree walking trail.' The proposed trail connects the campuses of three urban universities in Nashville, Tennessee. The model is shared with community stakeholders during focus group sessions to determine their potential to increase their physical activity through use of the walkway. If demand is sufficient, findings will be shared with local government which may opt to fund the trail's development. If built, the trail will be used to support research efforts to analyze the significance of creating walkable space in increasing the physical activity of residents of a low-income, people of color community. The walkway will also be used to bridge the local 'town-gown' gap through service learning, environmental education, and healthy lifestyle promotion.

David Padgett
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Box 9538
Nashville , Tennessee 37209
United States
Phone: 615-963-5508
Fax: 615-963-5497
E-mail: dpadgett@tnstate.edu

Joshua Idassi
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Cooperative Extension Program
Nashville , Tennessee 37209
United States
Phone: 615-963-5616
E-mail: jidassi@tnstate.edu

Mohamed Kanu
Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville , Tennessee 37209
United States
Phone: 615-963-7326
E-mail: mkanu@tnstate.edu