Figure 2. Conducting in-depth interviews in Springville.
This research project asks an overarching question: How do low-income residents in an unincorporated community in North Texas experience, endure, confront or resist environmental injustices? Three supporting research questions are: 1) What are the sociodemographic characteristics of residents in Springville? 2) What are the characteristics and deficiencies of housing in the community? 3)How do residents confront or endure daily environmental injustices? 4) How do they cope with extreme climate events? Table 1 shows the methods that address the research questions along with the information sources researchers have used to validate and triangulate findings.
| Research Questions | Method | Source |
| What are the sociodemographic characteristics of residents in Springville? | Household Surveys | Residents from Springville Archives and historical documents from residents and local stakeholders Community Meetings with local stakeholders and environmental organizations Spatial datasets from the Dallas County Appraisal District |
| What are the characteristics and deficiencies of housing in the community? | Household Surveys Observational Methods Mapping | |
| How do residents confront or endure environmental injustices and extreme climate events? | Household Surveys In-Depth Interviews Photovoice | |
| 3)How do residents confront or endure daily environmental injustices? | ||
| 4) How do they cope with extreme climate events? |
Table 1. Research questions, methods, and sources of information.
2.1 Data Collection Methods
Figure 3. Researchers conducted in-person surveys.
2.1.1 Observational Techniques
In preparation for participatory research, we conducted preliminary observations of the neighborhood by driving around to gather data on the characteristics of streets, housing units, and lots. This included analyzing the percentage of abandoned lots and buildings, the quality of streets and signs, the presence (or absence) of stormwater infrastructure, the quality of street lighting, and the availability and condition of green or public areas. This data enabled us to understand the challenges residents face in living in and moving around their neighborhood. It also helped us to realize that Dallas County data related to housing, land uses, and vacancy rates is highly inaccurate.
2.1.2 Spatial Analysis
We undertook multiple rounds of spatial analysis. The first datasets we consulted, from the American Community Survey (ACS) and the US Census Bureau, revealed poor documentation in peripheral unincorporated communities of color and little resolution of the ACS and census data. Next, to document Springville lot vacancy and occupancy, we turned to Dallas County Appraisal District data (https://www.dallascad.org/DataProducts.aspx), including the 2022 Dallas County parcel shapefiles and property data in ArcGIS. The original intent was to use this spatial dataset to develop base maps to plan our survey and interview methods. Our early observations in the community, however, made it clear that county data was incomplete and inaccurate.
Thus, our next step was to continue observation and conduct household surveys to document occupancies, vacancies, and land uses. The first round of bottom-up mapping gave us a better sense of the reality of land use but we realized we still needed to accurately record data such as ownership of multiple lots. To solve this issue, we drove through the neighborhood using a GPS device to mark land use beginning and end points. We then geocoded these data points and overlayed them onto the county parcel map using ArcGIS. This allowed us to create a land use map that not only showed occupancies/vacancies and types of land use but also reflected to typical multi-lot use in Springville.
2.1.3 Household Surveys and In-Depth Interviews
We recruited household survey participants by knocking on doors and asking residents to answer a questionnaire in person. The surveys help document the characteristics of people, residential structures, and the energy and water systems residents use in their homes. Data collected from these surveys included information on the appliances, systems, or technologies people use to access potable water, electricity or natural gas, as well as the characteristics of sewage systems. Observations made during surveys indicate that there are 182 lots (of single or multiple parcels) in Springville, 62 of which have occupied residential structures. We conducted household surveys in 46 lots housing a total of 98 residents. Thus, we estimate that our survey may represent about 75% of the estimated total of occupied lots. Considering an average of 2.13 residents per lot, we estimate that the total population is nearly 132 residents.
In-depth interviews with eleven neighborhood residents helped refine and deepen our understanding of housing, infrastructure, and transportation issues. See the Appendix for Survey and Interview Instruments, for a complete list of survey and interview instruments.
2.1.4 Photovoice
Figure 4. Springville social leaders attend a community meeting.
Photovoice is a participatory method equipping participants with cameras to document aspects of their lives and provide experiential knowledge to researchers in a self-representing way. In this way, residents could frame the narrative of environmental injustice and climate change themselves, from their own points of view. Complementing information the research team gathers, photovoice lets residents decide what information is important. Researchers chose five household participants who expressed willingness to use photovoice. They either used a camera we provided or their cell phones if that was more comfortable. Participants took 30 to 50 photos recording what they consider to be their most pressing environmental or climate issues. In addition, they recorded situations that bring them joy or happiness. Researchers used two coding categories: 1) types of injustices or events and 2) types of experiences photos captured, such as dwelling unit destruction or disaster responses.
Figure 5. A resident’s photo illustrating trash burning practices.