GIS-Based Assessment of the Impact of Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status on Flood Mitigation In Brooklyn, NY

Keywords: GIS, Green Infrastructure, Flood Mitigation, Rain Gardens, Climate Justice, Ecosystem Services, Flood Vulnerability
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

New York City has increasingly dealt with major flooding over the years due to Climate Change.
Across NYC boroughs there have been excessive damage to infrastructure, property loss and even
fatalities from intense rainfall. Green infrastructures such as rain gardens and rain barrels help with flood mitigation efforts and also provide other ecosystem services. For my research I examined Brooklyn, NY to find how Socioeconomic Status, GI presence and NYCHA housing correlate with a neighborhood's flood vulnerability. To find the correlation I used a qualitative research method. I input the data that showed the quantity and location of the GIs in NYC, location of NYCHA housing, and the household Median income. I also used an equity map that displayed the neighborhoods that faced disparities in healthcare, water management, workforce and more. ArcGIS Pro software was used to perform overlay analysis and geovisualization of the various data to examine whether neighborhoods areas with low median income benefited from the GI Investment, as compared to high median income neighborhoods. The results showed that Brooklyn neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status actually had more of a presence of GIs than neighborhoods with a higher socioeconomic status despite the latter having a higher flood risk. With this knowledge we can bring these disparities to light so that all New Yorkers can be included in flood mitigation efforts. With the equitable utilization of these Green Infrastructure, such as rain gardens, we can help protect New Yorkers who are more vulnerable to the impacts of perennial flooding.