How green are the “Green Cities? "A Comparative Study of Environment Policy Initiatives in Austin and Dallas, Texas

Keywords: Green cover, NDVI, urbanization, inequalities
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Urbanization is a rapidly accelerating global phenomenon, with projections indicating that 70% of the world’s population will reside in urban areas by 2050. This growth exacerbates environmental challenges such as resource exploitation, pollution, and urban heat islands, necessitating robust sustainable urban development strategies. This research examines the effectiveness of green city initiatives in Texas, focusing on Austin and Dallas as contrasting case studies. Austin is recognized for its progressive environmental policies, and Dallas, characterized by its economy-driven urbanism, provides critical insights into the implementation and outcomes of green initiatives. The study evaluates how these cities have adopted and operationalized green policies, focusing on urban green cover, green spaces, and sustainable transportation systems. This research employs a mixed-methods approach, as discourse analysis of policy documents, semi-structured interviews with policymakers and community members, and quantitative analysis of urban green spaces using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) mapping. The study addresses two central research questions: (1) How effective are green policies in practice? and (2) Are these policies equitably benefiting all communities, or do they perpetuate socio-spatial disparities? Findings indicate that while both cities have made measurable progress in enhancing environmental greenness, the distribution of these benefits remains uneven. Urban core areas and downtown regions appear to be more targeted by green initiatives, resulting in significant improvements in these zones