CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE Are We Ready? Research on Northridge Resilience Indicator: Food A graduate project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Urban Planning By Molivann Peter Phlong May 2018 The graduate project of Molivann Peter Phlong is approved: _________________________________________ ______________ Dr. Zeynep Toker Date _________________________________________ ______________ Dr. Rob Kent Date _________________________________________ ______________ Dr. Craig Olwert, Chair Date California State University, Northridge ii Dedication I dedicate this project to my mom Sina, my dad Bao, the rest of my family, Tenzin and Mako, and finally, Robbie. Your love, dedication, and encouragement gave me strength and hope for the future. iii Table of Contents Signature Page ii Dedication iii List of Figures vi List of Tables vii Abstract viii Introduction 1 Literature Review 4 Studies of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) 4 Studies of Quantitative Research Methods 5 Studies of Qualitative Research Methods 6 Study of Surveys 8 Community Input 8 Methodology 10 Research Design 10 Research Questions 11 Research Setting 12 Geographical Information System (GIS) Analysis 14 Quantitative Analysis 15 Qualitative Research 16 Archival Research and Coding 17 Analysis and Findings 18 GIS Analysis 18 Quantitative Analysis 20 Qualitative Analysis 22 Community Input 25 Community Workshop 25 Survey 28 Northridge Vision Meetings 31 Student Open House 32 Recommendations 34 Northridge Recommendation: Encourage new developments to include green rooftops and walls. 34 CSUN Recommendation: Expand the CSUN Food Garden across campus green spaces to increase the access and supply of healthy foods. 37 Conclusion 42 Summarization of Research Questions with Multiple Methods Evidence 44 Perceived and Objective Importance of Food Indicator 46 Limitations of the Study 46 Recommendations 47 Further Research 47 References 48 Appendix A: Data Sources 51 Appendix B: Recruitment Email 52 Appendix C: Survey Questions 53 Appendix D: Survey Results 56 iv Appendix E: Group, Topics, and Sub-Topics for the Community Workshop 58 Appendix F: Food and Alcohol Establishments within a Five-Mile Radius of Northridge 59 Appendix G: Food and Alcohol Establishments in Northridge 60 Appendix H: Inventory of Grocery Stores, Liquor Stores, and Farmers Markets 61 Appendix I: GIS Map of Residential Parcels and Structures (Potential for Urban Agriculture) 88 Appendix J: Correlation of Number of Fast Food Establishments, Population of Latino or Hispanics, and Median Household Income 89 Appendix K: Archival Excerpts and Transcription Coding 90 Appendix L: Expert Interview Excerpt, Transcription, and Coding 93 Appendix M: Preliminary Recommendations 107 Appendix N: Preliminary Recommendation Rankings 108 Appendix O: CSUN Open House Indicator/Hazard Rankings 110 v List of Figures Figure 1: Map of Northridge, CA, and CSUN 14 Figure 2: Completed Greenery Group Matrix 27 Figure 3: Survey Graph Access to Healthy and Affordable Food 30 vi List of Tables Table 1: NAICS Codes and Types of Establishments 19 Table 2: Correlation table of number of fast food, population of Latino residents, 21 and median household income Table 3: Expert Interview Themes, Focus Codes, and Open Codes 22 Table 4: Table of Survey Results 30 vii Abstract Are We Ready? Research on Northridge Resilience Indicator: Food By Molivann Peter Phlong Master of Urban Planning The Los Angeles neighborhood of Northridge, and surrounding areas, can survive, adapt, and grow by critically analyzing currently available resources and designating land available for reliable sources of fresh and healthy foods. Analyzing Northridge utilizing qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, GIS mapping, an expert interview, student open houses, community meetings and input synthesized a conclusion that Northridge is not in a food desert or swamp. Communities with effective land use regulations and the capacity for urban agriculture can decrease issues like obesity rates, and food insecurity. Northridge has accessibility to healthy foods and the capacity to create urban agriculture. An inventory of Northridge and a five-mile radius around Northridge reveals food establishments including grocery stores, liquor stores, sit-down restaurants, and fast food restaurants that are accessible to Northridge residents. For Northridge and CSUN to become resilient to future threats, urban agriculture should be expanded to increase access to locally sourced, healthy foods. It is recommended that Northridge and CSUN encourage green rooftops and walls on new developments and expand existing food gardens. viii Introduction The Los Angeles neighborhood of Northridge, and surrounding areas, can survive, adapt, and grow by critically analyzing current available resources and designating land use available for reliable sources of fresh and healthy foods. Analyzing existing food establishments can assist residents in understanding where their foods are offered, plan for strategic emergencies, and plan to include healthy food alternatives. Residents, community stakeholders, and leaders need to address the availability of land, rezone, or plan for future land uses in order to maximize the potential to grow food and create a sustainable, dependable community (USGBC-LA, 2016). In 1994, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake known as the Northridge Earthquake created the strongest ground motions ever recorded in an urban setting and damaged critical infrastructure including freeways and buildings (Caltech, 2017). With the loss of lives and collapse of critical infrastructure and homes, the necessity of a resiliency plan for the community was emphasized. Resiliency is the ability to survive, adapt, and grow regardless of the different stresses and acute shocks the area might experience (Stromberg, 2017). In terms of food availability, a lack of accessibility, security, sourcing, or the types of food can become chronic stresses. A neighborhood without adequate land use regulations to promote urban agriculture and access to affordable, healthy foods may suffer health issues including increased obesity rates (Sturm & Hattori, 2015). These stresses can weaken neighborhoods and if left unchecked may have devastating consequences on the population and region. Resilience is built by holistically analyzing a city and its neighborhoods which includes understanding urban systems and their interdependencies 1 (100resilientcities, 2017). In addition to strengthening its current resources and capabilities, a neighborhood can improve its development and wellbeing of the citizens. Food is essential for the livelihood and resiliency of every community (Hodgson, 2012). To create a resilient city, a basic level of wellbeing must be met including the quantity and quality of food, water, sanitation, energy, and shelter (100resilientcities, 2017). Only then will cities show the qualities of resiliency which include being reflective, robust, redundant, flexible, resourceful, inclusive, and integrated. Communities require a reliable source of healthy, fresh foods (USGBC-LA, 2017). As urbanization increases, and new technologies ease farming production, the collective knowledge of food production has decreased and suitable spaces for urban gardening have also decreased (Barthel, Parker, & Ernston, 2012). The suburbanization of the Los Angeles Metropolitan area has further increased sprawl, impervious surfaces, and reduced the agricultural lands of the past. Locally consumed food is increasingly imported due to the loss of local agricultural land. This has created urban areas without access to healthy food called “food deserts” which are mostly located in disadvantaged communities. In addition, the accessibility options in low-income areas tend to increase for less expensive food or fast-food which increase the rate of obesity and health-related issues (Sturm & Hattori, 2015). This can result in “food swamps” which are areas that are geographically marked by an oversaturation or high density of fast-food options. To focus on a neighborhood’s food resiliency and the health of its residents, there should be a comprehensive understanding and study of the food system or interlinked network of processes, actors, resources, policies, and regulatory tools. An area’s food system can produce, process, distribute, access, consume, and dispose of food with its 2 connection to its urban systems including land, housing, transportation and other systems (Hodgson, 2012). The focus of food in this analysis will be defined in terms of inventory and urban agriculture. Inventory of foods in Northridge and a surrounding five-mile area will include grocery stores, liquor stores, farmers markets, fast-food and sit-down restaurants, and the potential for urban agriculture. Urban agriculture in Los Angeles County can be classified and located at local or regional farms, school gardens, commercial nurseries or farms, and community gardens (Cultivate LA, 2013). The purpose of this mixed-method study aims to understand the resiliency of existing food inventory and urban agriculture for residents within a five-mile radius of Northridge, and to further explore the food alternatives to promote a resilient community. This research also addresses further research of food inventory and urban agriculture literature which will assist in analyzing its resiliency. 3 Literature Review This literature review includes studies of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), studies utilizing