Community Planning + Visualization Lab

This research stream focuses on the spatial planning and design of (urban) land, simulation of future land use change scenarios, and examination of regulatory practices related to land use. It applies participatory spatial planning and design methods to ecological urbanism, community resiliency, and environmental education. In particular, it examines redevelopment, revitalization, and regeneration processes of unutilized or underutilized urban lands (e.g., brownfields, greyfields) by using bottom-up community engagement tools (e.g., focus groups, in-depth interviews, community design charrettes) and participatory visual and digital research methods (e.g., photovoice, PGIS, digital storytelling).

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Relevant Projects:

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• Brownfields Area-wide Plan for Philadelphia’s Lower North Delaware Industrial District

• Comparing Ecosystem Services of Alternative Future Land Use Scenarios in Wissahickon Watershed

• The Montessori School Stormwater Management and Landscape Master Plan (completed)

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Relevant Articles:

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• Meenar, M., Morales, A., & Bonarek, L. (2017). Regulatory Practices of Organized Urban Agriculture: Connection to Planning and Policy. Journal of American Planning Association, 83(4), 389-403.

• Meenar, M. (2017). Assessing the spatial connection between urban agriculture and equity. Built Environment (special issue on Planning for Equitable Urban and Regional Food Systems), 43(3), 364-375. 

• Mandarano, L. & Meenar, M. (2017). Equitable distribution of green stormwater infrastructure: a capacity-based framework for implementation in disadvantaged communities​. Local Environment, 22(11), 1338-1357.

• Sorrentino, J., Meenar, M., Wargo, D., & Lambert, A. (2014). Housing location in a Philadelphia metro watershed: Can profitable be green? Landscape and Urban Planning, 125, 188–206.

• Flamm, B., Sutula, K., & Meenar, M. (2014). Changes in access to public transportation for cycle-transit users in response to service reductions. Transport Policy, 35, 154–161.

• Sorrentino, J., Meenar, M., & Flamm, B. (2008). Suitable housing placement: a GIS-based approach. Environmental Management, 42(5), 803-820.

• Meenar, M. (2006). Using geoinformation technology to develop a vulnerability assessment model in natural disaster-prone areas. Daffodil International University Journal of Science and Technology, 1(1), 25-33.