Current Projects
Stakeholder Knowledge and Perceptions of Land Use Decision-Making: A Case Study of the Florence Landfill Expansion in Gainesville, Florida
University of Florida, Department of Forest Resources & Conservation
May 2025 - Present
Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Alison Adams
Hyson, K. (2023, February 9). East Gainesville neighbors fight the expansion of a landfill in their backyard – again. News and Public Media for North Central Florida.
Research Focus:
The purpose of this research project is to investigate how stakeholders and community members in Gainesville, Florida, perceive and engage with land use decision-making, specifically surrounding the controversial proposal to expand the Florence Landfill. This landfill, which currently accepts discarded building and construction materials, is facing a proposed expansion to accommodate increased construction in the city. However, nearby residents - many of whom rely on well water - and environmental advocates have raised concerns about the potential impacts this expansion would have on property values, soil and water contamination, air quality, and the visual landscape. The research situates this case within the broader context of natural resource conflicts and examines how the modification of an existing facility creates unique social dynamics. By focusing on stakeholder knowledge, perceptions, and actions, the project aims to shed light on the social processes that drive discussions, protests, and policy-making in land use controversies.
Project Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of Dr. Adams, my responsibilities include designing and conducting qualitative research to explore community knowledge and perceptions related to the landfill expansion. I am responsible for obtaining IRB approval, recruiting participants, and conducting approximately 30 semi-structured interviews with a diverse range of stakeholders, including residents, policymakers, environmentalists, and land use experts. Additionally, I will collect and analyze relevant documents, media coverage, and historical materials to provide context for the controversy. My work includes qualitative data coding and analysis to identify key themes and patterns, as well as contributing to the development of outreach materials for conflict mitigation professionals. I am also involved in drafting scholarly articles for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
Research Context:
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This project builds on existing literature in environmental sociology, conflict resolution, and natural resource management by exploring how communities respond to proposed changes in land use that directly affect their environment and well-being. Unlike controversies focused on new developments, this case highlights the complexities that arise when modifying long-established facilities. The findings aim to inform not only local stakeholders but also practitioners and policymakers engaged in similar land use debates located elsewhere.