Carol Atkinson-Palombo

Bio: Carol Atkinson-Palombo is an academic researcher from University of Connecticut. The author has contributed to research in topics: Sustainability & Sustainable transport. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 41 publications receiving 1088 citations. Previous affiliations of Carol Atkinson-Palombo include Arizona State University.

Linking Futures across Scales: a Dialog on Multiscale Scenarios

Abstract: Scenario analysis is a useful tool for exploring key uncertainties that may shape the future of social-ecological systems. This paper explores the methods, costs, and benefits of developing and linking scenarios of social-ecological systems across multiple spatial scales. Drawing largely on experiences in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, we suggest that the desired degree of cross-scale linkage depends on the primary aim of the scenario exercise. Loosely linked multiscale scenarios appear more appropriate when the primary aim is to engage in exploratory dialog with stakeholders. Tightly coupled cross-scale scenarios seem to work best when the main objective is to further our understanding of cross-scale interactions or to assess trade-offs between scales. The main disadvantages of tightly coupled cross-scale scenarios are that their development requires substantial time and financial resources, and that they often suffer loss of credibility at one or more scales. The reasons for developing multiscale scenarios and the expectations associated with doing so therefore need to be carefully evaluated when choosing the desired degree of cross-scale linkage in a particular scenario exercise.

Young Scholars Dialogue, part of a Special Feature on Scenarios of global ecosystem services Linking Futures across Scales: a Dialog on Multiscale Scenarios

Abstract: Scenario analysis is a useful tool for exploring key uncertainties that may shape the future of social-ecological systems. This paper explores the methods, costs, and benefits of developing and linking scenarios of social-ecological systems across multiple spatial scales. Drawing largely on experiences in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, we suggest that the desired degree of cross-scale linkage depends on the primary aim of the scenario exercise. Loosely linked multiscale scenarios appear more appropriate when the primary aim is to engage in exploratory dialog with stakeholders. Tightly coupled cross-scale scenarios seem to work best when the main objective is to further our understanding of cross-scale interactions or to assess trade-offs between scales. The main disadvantages of tightly coupled cross-scale scenarios are that their development requires substantial time and financial resources, and that they often suffer loss of credibility at one or more scales. The reasons for developing multiscale scenarios and the expectations associated with doing so therefore need to be carefully evaluated when choosing the desired degree of cross-scale linkage in a particular scenario exercise.

Comparing the capitalisation benefits of light-rail transit and overlay zoning for single-family houses and condos by neighbourhood type in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona

Abstract: Light rail transit (LRT) is increasingly accompanied by overlay zoning which specifies the density and type of future development to encourage landscapes conducive to transit use. Neighbourhood type (based on land use mix) is used to partition data and investigate how pre-existing land use, treatment with a park-and-ride (PAR) versus walk-and-ride (WAR) station and overlay zoning interrelate. Hedonic models estimate capitalisation effects of LRT-related accessibility and overlay zoning on single-family houses and condos in different neighbourhoods for the system in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. Impacts differ by housing and neighbourhood type. Amenity-dominated mixed-use neighbourhoods-predominantly WAR communities-experience premiums of 6 per cent for single-family houses and over 20 per cent for condos, the latter boosted an additional 37 per cent by overlay zoning. Residential neighbourhoods-predominantly PAR communities-experience no capitalisation benefits for single-family houses and a discount for condos. The results suggest that land use mix is an important variable to select comparable neighbourhoods.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development

Abstract: This chapter presents the budget estimates and program justifications for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD’s core mission is to promote adequate and affordable housing, economic opportunity and a suitable living environment free from discrimination. The 2001 Budget for HUD reflects the successful implementation of a multiyear comprehensive reform effort which has helped restore the effectiveness and financial integrity of the Department’s critical affordable housing and economic development initiatives. Building on the success of these reforms, Congress and the Administration have provided significant increases in key HUD programs over the past two years. The 2001 Budget will continue these historic successes by providing the Department with the tools to fulfill its fundamental strategic goals: increasing the availability of decent, safe and affordable housing in American communities (including the enhancement of homeownership opportunities, especially for minorities and first-time homebuyers, the transformation of public housing and the expansion of housing assistance to alleviate severe housing needs); ensuring equal housing opportunity; promoting self-sufficiency and asset development of families and individuals (including moving homeless families to self-sufficiency through locally-developed continuum of care strategies and contributing to the success of welfare-to-work efforts); and improving community quality of life and economic vitality through locally-driven initiatives and programs. The 2001 budget provides increases for two successful block grant programs which serve HUD’s fundamental affordable housing and economic development missions—the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships programs. These programs provide states and localities with formula funding pursuant to locally-developed consolidated plans for a wide variety of activities which benefit low and moderate-income families. The Community Development Loan Guarantee program (under Section 108 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974) will be continued with level funding and a slightly increased loan guarantee limitation. The Economic Development Initiative will also be maintained. Grants for Urban Empowerment Zones will continue support for ten-year plans to provide new job opportunities and community revitalization in 15 urban areas. The Rural Housing and Economic Development program will be continued at an increased level. HUD’s Homeless Assistance programs will be funded at an increased level to enable communities to continue their development and implementation of comprehensive coordinated continuum of care systems to address the needs of homeless people and families. This funding includes 18,000 rental assistance vouchers designed to provide affordable permanent housing for formerly homeless individuals and families in order to provide a stable living environment, a critical necessity for maintaining access to needed services and providing access to employment opportunities. HUD’s Continuum of Care approach recently received the prestigious 1999 Innovations in Government award from the Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Ford Foundation. The 2001 Budget maintains the Federal commitment to replacing distressed and obsolete public housing with attractive, mixed-income communities and creating new economic opportunities for residents. Consistent with this commitment and with a special focus on replacing projects that have been determined to be non-viable, the HOPE VI program will receive a significant increase from last year’s enacted level. The 2001 Budget provides $3,192 million for the Public Housing Operating Fund, which helps to maintain good quality housing, and provides a slight increase for the Public Housing Capital Fund, which helps modernize and improve the housing stock. The 2001 budget includes 120,000 incremental vouchers that will help address the severe housing needs of low-income households. These vouchers are necessary to address the continued increase in the number of families nationwide which have worst case needs for housing assistance, including extremely-low income families currently paying more than half their income for rent or living in severely inadequate living conditions. The Administration reaffirms its long-held commitment to renew all expiring Section 8 contracts, to protect residents from displacement by substantially increasing funding for Section 8 renewals, to provide Section 8 tenant-based assistance for displaced families, and for the replacement of affordable housing due to opt-outs from the project-based Section 8 program. The Administration also continues its support for the Department’s successful Housing for Persons With HIV/AIDS program (HOPWA) by providing increased funding to prevent thousands of persons with HIV/AIDS from becoming homeless. This increase is necessary to continue to provide stable housing and services in existing local programs and fund new jurisdictions as they become eligible for formula funding due to the continued increase in the number of AIDS cases. Building on last year’s successful adoption of the Housing Security Plan for Older Americans, the Housing for the Elderly program (under Section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959) will receive a substantial increase, including an increase in capital funding to convert existing housing to assisted living with services and an increase for construction of new affordable assisted living. The Housing for Persons with Disabilities (under Section 811 of the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990) will receive additional funding. In support of the Administration’s strong commitment to increase homeownership opportunities, the 2001 budget includes major support to help lowand moderate-income American families become homebuyers. The budget will increase the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) maximum mortgage loan limits, allowing Single Family insurance to cover loans up to the same level as the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (GSEs) limits. (Currently FHA can insure home mortgages only up to 87 percent of the GSE limits in high cost areas and only up to 48 percent in low-cost areas, including approximately 2,200 rural counties throughout the Nation). In addition, the budget authorizes FHA to develop new adjustable rate mortgage products. These provisions will provide much-needed assistance to first-time homebuyers, minorities, and other underserved populations. Increased funding for the Fair Housing Assistance and Fair Housing Initiatives programs (FHAP and FHIP) will strengthen the ability of public and private fair housing groups, and partnerships between them, to enforce the laws protecting all Americans against illegal housing discrimination. In order to ensure the effective implementation of its programs, the Department’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) will be provided with a budget increase. These additional funds are necessary to ensure timely provision of data, research and analysis of national housing and economic conditions, and to measure the performance of pro-

Anticipatory Learning for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience

Abstract: This paper is a methodological contribution to emerging debates on the role of learning, particularly forward-looking (anticipatory) learning, as a key element for adaptation and resilience in the context of climate change. First, we describe two major challenges: understanding adaptation as a process and recognizing the inadequacy of existing learning tools, with a specific focus on high poverty contexts and complex livelihood-vulnerability risks. Then, the article examines learning processes from a dynamic systems perspective, comparing theoretical aspects and conceptual advances in resilience thinking and action research/learning (AR/AL). Particular attention is paid to learning loops (cycles), critical reflection, spaces for learning, and power. Finally, we outline a methodological framework to facilitate iterative learning processes and adaptive decision making in practice. We stress memory, monitoring of key drivers of change, scenario planning, and measuring anticipatory capacity as crucial ingredients. Our aim is to identify opportunities and obstacles for forward-looking learning processes at the intersection of climatic uncertainty and development challenges in Africa, with the overarching objective to enhance adaptation and resilient livelihood pathways, rather than learning by shock.

Environmental inequality in exposures to airborne particulate matter components in the United States.

Abstract: Background: Growing evidence indicates that toxicity of fine particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) differs by chemical component. Exposure to components may differ by population. Objectives: We investigated whether exposures to PM2.5 components differ by race/ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status (SES). Methods: Long-term exposures (2000 through 2006) were estimated for 215 U.S. census tracts for PM2.5 and for 14 PM2.5 components. Population-weighted exposures were combined to generate overall estimated exposures by race/ethnicity, education, poverty status, employment, age, and earnings. We compared population characteristics for tracts with and without PM2.5 component monitors. Results: Larger disparities in estimated exposures were observed for components than for PM2.5 total mass. For race/ethnicity, whites generally had the lowest exposures. Non-Hispanic blacks had higher exposures than did whites for 13 of the 14 components. Hispanics generally had the highest exposures (e.g., 152% higher than whites for chlorine, 94% higher for aluminum). Young persons (0–19 years of age) had levels as high as or higher than other ages for all exposures except sulfate. Persons with lower SES had higher estimated exposures, with some exceptions. For example, a 10% increase in the proportion unemployed was associated with a 20.0% increase in vanadium and an 18.3% increase in elemental carbon. Census tracts with monitors had more non-Hispanic blacks, lower education and earnings, and higher unemployment and poverty than did tracts without monitors. Conclusions: Exposures to PM2.5 components differed by race/ethnicity, age, and SES. If some components are more toxic than others, certain populations are likely to suffer higher health burdens. Demographics differed between populations covered and not covered by monitors.

Making local futures tangible - synthesizing, downscaling, and visualizing climate change scenarios for participatory capacity building.

Abstract: Local in its causes and global in its impacts, climate change still poses an unresolved challenge for scientists, politicians, entrepreneurs, and citizens. Climate change research is largely global in focus, aims at enhanced understanding, and is driven by experts, all of which seem to be insufficient to anchor climate change action in regional and local contexts. We present results from a participatory scenario study conducted in collaboration with the municipality of Delta in SW British Columbia, Canada. This study applies a participatory capacity building approach for climate change action at the local level where the sources of emissions and the mechanisms of adaptation reside and where climate change is meaningful to decision-makers and stakeholders alike. The multi-scale scenario approach consists of synthesizing global climate change scenarios, downscaling them to the regional and local level, and finally visualizing alternative climate scenarios out to 2100 in 3D views of familiar, local places. We critically discuss the scenarios produced and the strengths and weaknesses of the approach applied.