Dr. Sangyong Cho, Assistant Professor of the Landscape Architecture Program at the School of Planning and Founder and Director of the EPIC Co-Lab at UC DAAP, recently received a pilot grant from the UC Center for Public Engagement with Science. This grant supports his ongoing research collaboration with community groups, local agencies, and collaborators, including Professor Melinda Butsch Kovacic, to develop a feasibility study on low-cost sensors for environmental monitoring in neighborhood areas which will be informed by local community groups in Cincinnati.
Dr. Cho is using the pilot grant to develop and pilot low-cost sensors, focusing specifically on heat monitoring, to support the development of local heat resilience strategies in areas where data on heat monitoring is lacking. He recognizes that the absence of detailed, spatially explicit data on heat-related risks impedes the adoption of localized solutions tailored to community needs, emphasizing the importance of street trees and green infrastructure planning through a participatory approach. This can lead to the development of programs such as investments in green infrastructure zones and street tree planting projects in targeted areas vulnerable to heat island impacts.
The initiative involves local residents and a diverse range of stakeholders, particularly addressing the needs of underserved communities. The goal is to develop comprehensive solutions through various innovative engagement programs and technologies, including often overlooked groups such as youth, who are vital agents of change within their communities.
Dr. Cho’s work builds on previous projects centered on green infrastructure and green street advocacy to promote positive health outcomes. Before joining the University of Cincinnati, he collaborated with an interdisciplinary team of experts to highlight the significance of green infrastructure and street trees in environmental mitigation. He worked in close cooperation with local community groups and agencies in Massachusetts. The study, available at Green Streets Health Impact Assessment, was conducted through the American Planning Association’s Sustainable Communities Division, Massachusetts Chapter, in partnership with Groundworks Lawrence, Massachusetts.
