Analyzing Vulnerable Census Tracts in Hillsborough County: Are They Disaster Ready?

Within Hillsborough County, Florida, economic, social, and environmental factors are affecting people and structures. Problems like flooding, food insecurity, and extreme heat are rising due to these factors. There are different ways to help improve these issues such as "green ideas" (e.g. green infrastructure, planting trees, and community gardens). This study examined what factors are creating vulnerability at the census tract level, and if these areas would benefit from having green ideas implemented within them. Mixed methods were used to help collect and analyze data. Secondary quantitative data was collected through a variety of sites to identify what influences vulnerability and resilience at both the census and county level. From this, vulnerable tracts were chosen and compared to FEMA’s designated Community Disaster Resilience Zone (CDRZ). Second, primary qualitative data was collected through interviews with stakeholders from emergency managers, NGOs, and faith-based organizations specifically within the city of Tampa. Along with the data collected, multiple reports that the city of Tampa has put out, such as Resilient Tampa (2021), City of Tampa Tree Canopy and Urban Forest Analysis 2021, and Climate Action and Equity Plan (2023), were used and compared to look at what would help build resilience through green ideas within Tampa and other areas in Hillsborough County.

The Weather Climate and Society REU program invited 10 students from across the US to conduct research projects related to disaster-vulnerable communities in Florida and other extreme weather-affected areas. These projects were interdisciplinary, integrating social science and physical science aspects of severe weather, climate, and related disasters through field work, interviews, and/or spatial analysis of secondary data in GIS. The PI of this REU is Dr. Jennifer Collins.

在佛罗里达州希尔斯伯勒县（Hillsborough County），经济、社会与环境因素正影响着当地民众与基础设施。受此类因素驱动，洪涝、粮食不安全与极端高温等问题愈发严峻。针对上述问题，可通过多种举措加以改善，例如“绿色举措”（"green ideas"，如绿色基础设施、植树造林与社区花园建设等）。本研究旨在剖析人口普查片区（census tract）层面的脆弱性成因，并探究在这些区域落地绿色举措能否有效改善其现状。研究采用混合研究方法开展数据收集与分析工作：首先通过多类渠道收集二手定量数据，以明确人口普查片区与县级层面的脆弱性及韧性影响因素；基于此筛选出脆弱片区，并与美国联邦紧急事务管理局（FEMA）划定的社区灾害韧性区（Community Disaster Resilience Zone, CDRZ）开展对比分析。其次，针对坦帕市（Tampa）范围内的应急管理人员、非政府组织（NGO）及信仰组织的利益相关者进行访谈，收集一手定性数据。此外，本研究还结合坦帕市发布的多份官方报告——包括《韧性坦帕（2021）》《坦帕市树冠与城市森林分析报告（2021）》以及《气候行动与公平计划（2023）》——与前述收集的数据进行对比分析，以探究在坦帕市及希尔斯伯勒县其他区域通过绿色举措构建灾害韧性的可行路径。

“天气、气候与社会”本科生研究经验项目（Research Experiences for Undergraduates, REU）邀请了来自全美各地的10名学生，开展针对佛罗里达州及其他极端天气影响地区的灾害脆弱社区相关研究项目。此类项目均为跨学科研究，通过实地调研、访谈及地理信息系统（Geographic Information System, GIS）环境下的二手数据空间分析等手段，融合强对流天气、气候及相关灾害的社会科学与自然科学维度。本REU项目的首席研究员为詹妮弗·柯林斯博士（Dr. Jennifer Collins）。