Public Interest in Microclimate Data in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

New technologies can sense urban environmental conditions at finer scales than previously possible. This has paved the way for monitoring microclimates between and within neighborhoods. Equally vital, though much less studied, is stakeholder engagement in understanding and using such data. This stud...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lisa Reyes Mason, Jon M. Hathaway, Kelsey N. Ellis, Taylor Harrison
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2016-12-01
Series:Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/9/1/23
Description
Summary:New technologies can sense urban environmental conditions at finer scales than previously possible. This has paved the way for monitoring microclimates between and within neighborhoods. Equally vital, though much less studied, is stakeholder engagement in understanding and using such data. This study examines interests and preferences for accessing neighborhood-scale microclimate data among residents of Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. Data are from randomly sampled phone surveys (N = 200) and purposively sampled focus group participants (N = 25). Survey participants expressed high interest in neighborhood air quality, temperature, and rainfall. Focus groups revealed four themes for designing smartphone applications or websites for neighborhood-scale data: easy access to integrated data, clear and intuitive design, information for everyday living and healthy behavior, and tools for civic engagement. Results support the value of creating meaningful, usable science interfaces with which the public can readily engage.
ISSN:2071-1050