Corridors of Cooperation and Conflict: Evaluating Transportation Justice in Buffalo, NY

A historic photo of the Humboldt Parkway, left, which was converted to the Kensington Expressway, right, as seen from a similar point of view. Image: Ian Lockwood.

Explore the Evolution of Spatial Justice, Highways and Neighborhoods with our Interdisciplinary team! 

Project description

We are seeking two students to join an interdisciplinary project investigating the relationship between infrastructure investments and neighborhood change in Buffalo, NY. The students will collect and analyze historical geospatial data for two neighborhoods (one neighborhood/student) to identify trends in neighborhood demographics and infrastructure investment over a 50-year period. Students will also have the opportunity, but will not be required, to participate in field work activities with the research team, including attending block walks and community mapping exercises in the two target neighborhoods. 

Project outcome

Each student will produce a 5-page research report and 10 to 15 minute presentation to the research team in May 2025 and at the end of their mentored research experience in August 2025. Students will have the option of attending either the regional Western NY Planning conference (a practitioner and policymaker focus) or the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (academic research focus) in Fall 2025 to co-present with the research team. 

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment Longer than a semester; 6-9 months
Start time Spring, Summer
In-person, remote, or hybrid? Hybrid (can be remote and/or in-person; to be determined by mentor and student) 
Level of collaboration Individual student project
Benefits Stipend
Who is eligible All undergraduate students with beginner skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS; ex. ArcGIS, QGIS) 

Core partners

  • Lauren Ames Fischer, Research Director and Rudy Bruner Center for Urban Excellence
  • Camden Miller, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Architecture and Planning 
  • Ari Hock and Heather Killen, UB Institute of Learning Sciences

Project mentor

Lauren Fischer

Assistant Professor, Director of Research

Urban and Regional Planning

Phone: (716) 829-5913

Email: lf44@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about the digital badge.) 
Start the Digital Badge

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. After you’re approved to begin the project, your mentor will send the relevant materials. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

  •  Reading articles or books

Keywords

environmental design, geography, urban planning, environmental sustainability, environmental justice, GIS, mapping, infrastructure, transportation