Cultural Models for Assessing Impacts of Stormwater on the Aaran's Pond Community

Aaran's Pond is a local stormwater retention pond in the University Area community, and it is an important feature of green infrastructure designed to control flooding by managing rainfall runoff over impervious surfaces, such as roads and parking lots. This study examines the different ways in which residents interact with and perceive the pond, as well as how the pond has shaped the culture of its surrounding community. Intended results of this study are to understand how social dynamics affect the pond's immediate presence and to find a correlation between the existence of the pond and the identity of the community surrounding it. Using archival data, theory,geographic information systems, along with qualitative data from twelve comprehensive and semi-structured interviews with local residents, this study intends to understand how local residents' cultural models explain their perceptions of the pond. Analysis of this information is intended to contribute to the pond's redevelopment and revitalization efforts.

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.