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

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.

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

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.

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.

This N.J. intersection is pure chaos. Could simple solutions make it safer? Officials aren't sure what to do about a dangerous intersection in Camden County that inspired a popular instagram account.

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

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.

Climate Strain on Healthcare Access: A Multi-County Assessment of Healthcare Infrastructure Vulnerability in South Jersey - South Jersey Institute for Population Health This project examines how climate-driven flooding and infrastructure disruption affect healthcare access in Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem Counties in southern New Jersey.

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

A new plan aims to turn Atlantic City’s vacant homes into opportunities 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.

Thursday, November 20th at 11 AM, join us in Discovery Hall 132 for an engaging talk with guest speaker Donna Rendeiro, a leader in NJ public planning.

Moderated by Dr. Qian He.

We are happy to announce the ultimate crossover celebration of both World Town Planning Day AND GIS Day! This event will take place in Discovery 132 on Tuesday, November 11, from 1 to 3 PM.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

We are happy to announce the ultimate crossover celebration of both World Town Planning Day AND GIS Day! This event will take place in Discovery 132 on Tuesday, November 11, from 1-3pm.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

This one-day a week project-based studio course provides students with field experience investigating environments and environmental issues through art practice and perspectives.

Art + Environment Studio (glass edition) will focus our creative engagements with place on sites of regional significance to glass (historically, environmentally, culturally), one of humanity’s most important materials. Glass is integral to South Jersey’s industrial heritage, creative economy and a sustainable future. This course will expose students to arts-based research methods animating geographical concepts such as landscape, place, and memory through fieldwork. Students will collaborate in designing artistic responses on campus to environmental and sustainability issues encountered in the field, such as those related to the circular economy and circular ecology (reuse, repair, care).

The multidisciplinary project in this course is part of the AAMI glass recirculation initiative, supported by a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Recycling Enhancement Act Research Grant, which includes working with community partners Bottle Underground and the Heritage Glass Museum. Please reach out with any and all questions to Dr. Jen Kitson: [email protected].