Molly McCahan, Isabella Bertolini, Jonathan Kleshinski, Bailey Krouse
Columbus, OH has distinct areas of need which we have spatially identified by locating and comparing below-average life expectancy, income, education, and urban tree cover (UTC). There are correlations between these areas of need and racial distribution, historically redlined areas, and environmental phenomenon such as urban heat island. The explicitly anti- Black policy of redlining has created substantial environmental inequities towards the Black, African American, and People of Color populations in Columbus. We focus on UTC as a method of intervention. Higher levels of UTC correlate with areas of higher economic and education levels and tend to have higher life expectancies. Increasing UTC in underserved areas through legislative and community action can help improve the health of the urban environment and all its people.
Much of the existing legislation regarding tree management in Columbus can be adjusted to prevent UTC loss and move toward an achievable goal of 50% UTC across the greater city area. Required parking lots sizes can be reduced, the city can be held accountable to the replacement of public trees in cases of their removal, and small but significant changes in tree implementation requirements can all have an impact on UTC. Most importantly, the city of Columbus must reallocate public funds from the police department which takes over a third of the city’s $965 million budget to a new department devoted to tree planting and maintenance. The Tree Recovery & Environmental Equity Service (TREES) will serve the citizens of the city who require assistance with the implementation and maintenance of trees on private land as well as oversee the march toward the overall goal of 50% UTC for Columbus by 2050.
