Mapping justice
Description
The United States has a longstanding history of environmental injustice. For generations, polluting industrial facilities have been sited in low-income neighborhoods, disproportionately in communities of color. This trend is visible in the eighty-five-mile stretch of the Mississippi River Corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, LA, an area commonly referred to as “Cancer Alley” due to hundreds of chemical refining and industrial plants that line the river’s edge, impacting surrounding communities. While Cancer Alley has been a dominant area of study in environmental and public health, there is much less focus on the city of New Orleans. In attempt to fill this gap, this thesis offers in-depth spatial analysis of the placement of industrial facilities, landfills, open dumps, and incinerator sites in Greater New Orleans, paired with examination of the demographic profile of those impacted. Additionally, this thesis provides case studies on two heavily polluted communities, exploring the human cost associated with this data. From this analysis, it is clear that in New Orleans a strong correlation exists between concentrated poverty and proximity to environmentally damaging land use, especially for communities of color. It is also clear that past housing policies and investment incentives directly contributed to negative health outcomes through inequitable land use patterns. Finally, federal, state, and local governments have been slow to support the victims of environmental injustice even when it is clearly documented. From these findings, it is apparent that dedicated funding and more consistent policy support are necessary to achieve true environmental justice in the city of New Orleans and the wider community.