Date of Defense
7-10-2021
Date of Graduation
8-2021
Department
Global and International Studies
First Advisor
Denise Keele
Second Advisor
Cybelle Shattuck
Abstract
This thesis examined environmental justice aspects of drinking water policies in four cities across Michigan: Flint, Birmingham, St. Joseph, and Benton Harbor. An overview of the history of the environmental justice movement, environmental racism, and drinking water policies provided the basis for a four-part evaluative criterion to assess environmental justice components at the municipal level. These criteria include (1) housing tenure, (2) age, size, and service line composition of the infrastructure, (3) public participation in the policy process, and (4) emergency management of the city. Findings indicate that environmental justice has come a long way, with cities now incorporating components into municipal policies regarding drinking water. However, race, income, and housing tenure remain important indicators for environmental justice concerns despite the geographical proximity of the cities analyzed.
Recommended Citation
Paldan, Annika, "Environmental Justice Analysis of Drinking Water Policies in Michigan Cities" (2021). Honors Theses. 3464.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/3464
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Open Access
Defense Presentation
Included in
Environmental Health Commons, Environmental Public Health Commons, Social Justice Commons