Rowan University's Department of Geography, Planning, & Sustainability

08/13/2026

Department student Jimmy Flocco recently presented his summer research as a Martinson Summer Scholar! 🎓

Working with mentor Megan Bucknum, Jimmy analyzed food access data and compared for-profit and nonprofit organizational structures to find ways to build stronger communities and more resilient food systems.

Read the full article about Jimmy and his fellow researchers here: https://today.rowan.edu/news/2026/08/martinson-summer-scholars-thrive-on-tough-projects.html

08/05/2026

We’re excited to highlight recent work by our very own Qian He!

Qian’s research looks at the critical connection between climate disasters, rental housing markets, and eviction risks. The study finds that hurricane occurrences drive up rent prices for up to two years after a storm, leading to a spike in eviction filings and threats for vulnerable renters. On the flip side, long-term federal disaster aid plays a crucial stabilizing role, helping to lower eviction risks as recovery funds reach local communities.

Check out the full paper to dive into the findings:

Renters experience unique social and economic vulnerabilities to natural hazards, including a heightened risk of post-disaster displacement. Despite the importa...

06/10/2026

https://earth.rowan.edu/departments/geography/news/2026/planning-accreditation.html

Rowan University is a Carnegie-classified national doctoral research institution dedicated to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education.

05/28/2026

Inspired by a night under the stars at Great Sand Dunes National Park, Rowan University graduate Sean Olcese found his passion for using mapping technology and climate research to help communities prepare for the future.

Rowan University GIS major Sean Olcese turns geospatial data into climate resilience research, mapping risk, equity and community impact.

04/29/2026

Seven student researchers from the Geography, Planning, and Sustainability department showcased their work at Rowan University College of Science & Mathematics Student Research Day, demonstrating impressive dedication and insight. Proud to see their hard work come to life through thoughtful presentations and meaningful research contributions.

Access, equity, and urban agriculture: Trends in selected NJ cities by Nicole Abbott. Advisor: Mahbubur M.

Sea-level-rise and tax-base vulnerability for New Jersey and Maryland coastal municipalities by Sean Olcese. Advisor: Qian He, PhD, AICP

Participatory air quality monitoring in Camden, NJ: a community driven environmental education approach by Bidhan Dutta and Ethan Theurer. Advisor: Mahbubur M.

Compounding vulnerability of fire and flooding across the urban-to-rural gradient of New Jersey by Raven Vijayakumar. Advisor: Zachary Christman

The human side of air quality: Lived experience and environmental perception in Camden by Ladarion Hardison. Advisor: Mahbubur M.

Urban park accessibility and user experience: Evidence from Dhaka, Bangladesh by Ethan Theurer and Bidhan Dutta. Advisor: Mahbubur M.

Farmland at the water's edge: climate hazard exposure and agricultural land-use change in coastal South Jersey by Noah Bilgrav and Kyle Mains. Advisors: Qian He, PhD, AICP, Katrina McCarthy, and Mahbubur M.

04/16/2026

Why is this intersection so chaotic? Department planning faculty Louis Thomas is featured in this piece, breaking down how better street design can fix "crash corners" like this one in Collingswood.

Officials aren't sure what to do about a dangerous intersection in Camden County that inspired a popular instagram account.

04/07/2026

Rowan GPS students Sean Olcese and Nicole Abbott won top awards for their research posters at the 2026 Research Day.

https://earth.rowan.edu/departments/geography/news/research-day-2026.html

04/01/2026

Climate Strain on Health Care Access: A Multicounty Assessment of Health Care Infrastructure Vulnerability in South Jersey: https://sjiph.org/projects/climate-strain-on-healthcare-access-a-multi-county-assessment-of-healthcare-infrastructure-vulnerability-in-south-jersey/

Lead: Qian He, School of Earth & Environment

This project examines how climate-driven flooding and infrastructure disruptions affect health care access in Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties. By integrating hospital utilization data with flood risk zones, federal climate projections, road-network analysis, and human mobility patterns, the study identifies “climate–health access gaps” to support emergency planning and the development of more resilient health care systems.

This project examines how climate-driven flooding and infrastructure disruption affect healthcare access in Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem Counties in southern New Jersey.

03/18/2026

Rowan students, led by professor Mahbubar Meenar, are analyzing vacant properties in Atlantic City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

Chelsea Economic Development Corp. launched a housing strategy to reduce blight and redevelop vacant properties in Atlantic City’s Chelsea neighborhood, including a pilot program, university research partnership and community input.