Using Community Interviews to Identify How the Environmental Dashboard Can Fill Gaps in Resource Distribution

Science Center, Bent Corridor

The Environmental Dashboard is “designed to make the invisible flows of water and electricity through communities visible and engaging”, while linking “these resource flows to the thoughts and actions of citizens working to build a more vibrant, resilient and sustainable city”. Content is displayed on electronic signage installed in in community spaces throughout Oberlin, Ohio and is also accessible through the environmentaldashboard.org website. A key component of Environmental Dashboard, “Community Voices” consists of photographs and empowering quotes drawn from interviews taken within the community. The objective of this component is to to discover, communicate and strengthen pro-environmental and pro-community thought, action and identity. The goal of my project was to build new content for community voices that focusses on the availability and accessibility of particular resources including fresh local foods, sustainable energy and public transportation. With any resource, there is always some disparity: some community members may have better access to or receive more quality. Through a new set of interviews I sought to gain and communicate an understanding of how these resources are distributed and accessed in Oberlin. A larger goal of this project is to promote more equitable distribution of goods and services throughout the town of Oberlin and to promote those who are engaged in activities that make this a reality.