Defense Presentation Title: Facilitating Civic Engagement in Rapidly Urbanizing Regions through Geospatial Participatory Modeling

Co-Advisors: Dr. Helena Mitasova, Associate Director of Earth and Environmental Sciences Applications, Center for Geospatial Analytics; Dr. Ross Meentemeyer, Director, Center for Geospatial Analytics

Abstract: Rapid urbanization and the increasing frequency of extreme precipitation events are leading to communities vulnerable to flooding and water quality degradation. In areas where disparate managing agencies cross environmental boundaries (e.g., watershed), these problems are difficult to address because of barriers to collaboration and the fiscal burden associated with major capital infrastructure projects. Additionally, community stakeholders often do not agree on what or where problems are or if they even exist. Participatory modeling is one way communities can address these challenges through its ability to increase civic engagement and improve decision-making. In this dissertation defense the participatory modeling process is explored through the development of new geospatial participatory modeling techniques and the development of a geospatial participatory modeling platform called OpenPlains.