2024 Penn Undergraduate Urban Research Colloquium Findings

Each spring semester, Penn IUR sponsors the Undergraduate Urban Research Colloquium (UURC), an advanced research seminar for undergraduate scholars with an interest in urban-focused research. The program pairs students with a faculty mentor with expertise in their areas of interest and presents the opportunity to learn about urban related research in an interdisciplinary setting. Students and faculty teams come from academic departments throughout the University, with students receiving credits through the School of Design’s City and Regional Planning Department or the School of Arts and Sciences’ Urban Studies Program.

In the spring of 2024, Penn IUR sponsored the 20th annual UURC. The research projects ranged from the connection between air quality and zoning to stakeholder engagement post-natural disaster. Read more about the projects below:

Mikun Fasan, Biochemistry and Urban Studies, College of Arts & Sciences, and Simon Webber, Urban Studies, College of Arts & Sciences
Research Mentor: Chris Quattro, Assistant Professor, Geography and Planning Department, Appalachia State University
Spatial Analysis of Residential Zoning Classifications and their Colocation with Microclimate Externalities
According to the American Lung Association, Philadelphia is among the worst air quality for major cities in the United States. Our research focuses on the spatial co-location between ambient conditions and residential zoning designations throughout Philadelphia. The analysis focuses on particulate matter, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, temperature, and humidity readings corresponding with different tiers of residential zoning in Philadelphia. Additionally, observational characteristics of each neighborhood were also recorded to contextualize differences in the built environment for each location studied. The purpose of this research is to better understand variation among distinct classifications of zoning as it relates to shaping urban design and resulting microclimate conditions. Preliminary findings shed some light on differences in environmental conditions for neighborhoods of varying residential zoning tiers.

Marielle Kang, Environmental Studies, College of Arts & Sciences
Research Mentor: Simon Richter, Class of 1965 Endowed Term Professor of German, Germanic Languages and Literatures
Analyzing Stakeholder Engagement in Cebu, Philippines during Typhoon Odette
Over the last decade, the province of Cebu, Philippines has emerged as one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change impacts. In 2013, Cebu was victim to super Typhoon Yolanda and the Bohol Earthquake, and in 2021, Cebu was hit by super Typhoon Odette. Given the growing severity of climate-related risks and disasters, as well as the significant role of private sector actors in Cebu’s disaster risk management and reduction, this research seeks to characterize the contribution of private sector actors in the immediate relief operations following the 2021 super Typhoon Odette within the regional capital, Cebu City. Over the course of five months, we conducted and analyzed n = 17 semi-structured interviews with private relief providers in order to identify the risks and benefits of private sector-led climate resiliency. This analysis indicated the primary role that private sector business networks play within the context of limited public resources in facilitating the short-term collection, delivery, and distribution of immediate relief goods to high-risk communities. We further identified the necessity for future research in this field regarding the long-term impacts and continuity of these immediate relief operations, as well as the integration of aid recipient perspectives in order to evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives.

Vivian Li, Business Analytics and Marketing, Wharton
Research Mentor: Bruce Zou, Organizational Learning & Leadership, Graduate School of Education
Localizing International Manufacturing Companies in the U.S. - Examining Successful Labor Practices
This study examines how changes in labor practices influence the manufacturing sector, a key driver of urban economies. By understanding these dynamics, this research contributes to the broader context of urban development, particularly in addressing how cities can adapt to post-pandemic economic shifts and labor market challenges. The resurgence of manufacturing, termed as a “manufacturing supercycle,” has significant implications for urban infrastructure, workforce development, and economic sustainability.

Khalid Mohieldin, Urban Studies, College of Arts & Sciences
Research Mentor: Heidi Artigue, PhD Student, Applied Economics, Wharton
Assessing the Spatial Dimensions and Consequences of Suburban Poverty in the US
Although most academic and policy attention towards poverty has been focused on the inner-city, a growing share of the American impoverished population is living in the suburbs. Over the past 30 years, America’s suburbs have experienced gradual economic and racial diversification. This trend is challenging our assumptions about how poverty manifests in American neighborhoods and how poverty is experienced by American households. This presentation will delve into the changing geographies of low-income people in the U.S., including the distribution of poor people in America’s suburbs and predictors of poverty in suburban neighborhoods. This presentation will also explore the challenges experienced by low-income Americans, including barriers preventing low-income people from accessing vital welfare resources. Overall, this presentation aims to offer a statistical lens at the changing economies and geographies of America’s suburbs.

Natalie Vasquez, Urban Studies, College of Arts & Sciences
Research Mentor: Heidi Artigue, PhD Student, Applied Economics, Wharton
Safety Perceptions Among Womxn from Socially Marginalized Communities in Philadelphia: Preliminary Findings
This research aimed to understand perceptions of safety within Philadelphia, experiences with community and public services, and how these factors impact daily life for womxn from socially marginalized communities. Preliminary findings, gathered through five interviews with key informants revealed that for womxn, safety encompasses physical protection, freedom from fear, and the ability to express oneself without negative repercussions. However, womxn in Philadelphia generally feel unsafe within the city, with some calling it unpredictable and characterized by “dense energy,” while most believe that public transportation is reflective of broader safety issues. Despite this, strong community ties help some feel secure in familiar neighborhoods, emphasizing the value of local support networks. Understanding these issues can guide policymakers and organizations to create strategies that address the unique challenges faced by womxn in urban environments.