“Environmental (In)equity” subject of Vassar talk, February 23

Eric Sheppard and Helga Leitner, both geography professors at the University of Minnesota, will give a talk titled, "GIS, Environmental (In)equity and Community Perspectives," at Vassar College, on Wednesday, February 23, at 7 p.m., in Taylor Hall, Room 203.

The lecture reports ongoing work with community organizations in Minneapolis to create a neighborhood-scale Geographic Information Systems (GIS) database that includes environmental hazards, population characteristics, schools, and day care centers. The talk, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Mellon Teaching With Technology Committee and Environmental Studies Program.

Sheppard is a well-known economic geographer and social theorist whose research examines how economic and political restructuring at various scales affect urban systems change. Leitner is a prominent urban geographer who conducts interdisciplinary research that draws from theories in economics, political science, sociology and anthropology but brings a geographic perspective to them. Their combined interest, of which their talk is based, examines the utility of GIS, in combination with other geographical approaches, for assessing processes governing geographical patterns of environmental (in)justice, for implementing community-based environmental inventories, and for empowering community organizations.

For additional information, call the Department of Geography and Geology at (845) 437-5540. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Cathy Jennings at (845) 437-5370, as far in advance as possible to request appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

This article was posted on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2000.