Envisioning Change: Examining Environmental Amenities and Disamenities in the Southern Sector of Dallas, Texas

Abstract

Environmental justice is understood as the disproportionate distribution of environmental harms, primarily in low-income communities of color. Much of the literature on environmental justice focuses on the challenges these communities face and the resources they lack. In this paper, I ask, what unique environmental amenities do environmental justice communities of concern possess? How can the community harness these amenities to facilitate environmental leadership toward sustainable development? I used a single case study design to examine the Highland Hills community in the Southern Sector of Dallas, Texas, and the environmental leadership role that Paul Quinn College, a historically black college or university (HBCU), may play. Using data from focus groups with community leaders and Paul Quinn College students, faculty, and staff, I identified environmental amenities and disamenities in Highland Hills. This project represents the first stage of a multi-stage research partnership between the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University and Paul Quinn College. The results are intended to inform future research and may contribute to the creation of a sustainable development plan for Highland Hills.