Diagram, engineering drawing.

Research Project Name

Cultivating Climate Justice Begins with Community Engagement

What We Did

In Jersey City’s Jackson Hill Main Street (JHMS) — a corridor historically shaped by redlining, disinvestment, and environmental neglect — climate justice remains a pressing need. As Jersey City experiences rapid redevelopment, JHMS faces persistent flooding, urban heat, deteriorating infrastructure, and limited public amenities. While other districts attract private investment and city resources, JHMS residents continue to advocate for walkability, safety, equity, and environmental sustainability. This research aims to create a replicable resiliency roadmap that centers climate justice as a framework for equitable redevelopment. Completed in partnership with Sustainable Jersey City (SJC) and Jackson Hill Main Street Corporation, the project engaged residents, municipal leaders, and local organizations through walking tours, dot voting (or dotocracy) workshops, and design workshops. The result is a robust set of community-authored design recommendations prioritizing green infrastructure, public health, economic equity, and placemaking. This multiyear study demonstrates how community-driven design can foster inclusive, resilient futures. Built on more than 1,300 hours of planning and over 60 mapping studies, this research supports future grant applications and policymaking aimed at advancing a just, climate-resilient future for JHMS.

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Team

Roger Smith, John Ferns, Eric Bieber, Paris Casey, James Klauder, Selwyn Bachus II, Brunie Pierre, Maitri Pujara, Zach Trattner, Shruti Venkat, Jacqueline Bole

Year Completed

2025