Cleveland, TN, July 23, 2025
News Summary
Undergraduate researchers from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) presented their findings on the socio-ecological impacts of greenways to the Cleveland City Council. After a three-year study funded by the National Science Foundation, the students highlighted the importance of green spaces in urban planning, emphasizing biodiversity, community engagement, and sustainability. The research offered key recommendations for enhancing urban greenways, addressing invasive species, and advocating for increased tree planting to improve local ecosystems.
Cleveland, Tennessee
Undergraduate researchers from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) presented their findings on the socio-ecological role of greenways in urban development to the Cleveland City Council following their three-year study funded by the National Science Foundation. The program, known as SERGUS REU, came to a conclusion on July 16, 2025, shedding light on the importance of green spaces in urban settings.
The SERGUS REU program, led by UTC faculty members DeAnna Beasley and Chris Acuff in collaboration with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, emphasized an interdisciplinary approach to environmental science, urban planning, and community engagement over the summers from 2023 to 2025. Students from UTC undertook the challenge of investigating various greenways, contributing valuable data regarding biodiversity, sustainable design, and community impacts.
Research began at the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in summer 2023, before moving to Edwardsville, Illinois, in 2024, where researchers focused on the Madison County Transit Greenways. The final phase took place in Cleveland during 2025, adding significant geographic and demographic data to their findings. Students delivered presentations on sustainable greenway development and showcased research posters encapsulating their work.
Key Findings
The students’ study discovered that the Cleveland/Bradley Greenway hosts a wealth of biological diversity, which includes trees that contribute to thermal comfort by cooling the area by as much as four degrees. It examined the detrimental effects of urban development, specifically noting that hard surfaces like concrete and asphalt contribute to “urban heat islands,” a common phenomenon in metropolitan areas. To counteract such heat effects, students advocated for the enhancement of green spaces.
Research highlighted the presence of invasive species, such as Chinese privet and Mimosa trees, which compete with native species, affecting the local ecosystem adversely. Additionally, an investigation of the local ant population—including the invasive fire ant—identified their ecological benefits but acknowledged their potential harm to native species.
Recommendations for Urban Improvement
As part of their project, researchers presented several suggestions for improving the greenway experience. These included planting additional trees and incorporating restrooms to create more user-friendly spaces. Furthermore, the students proposed that managing fire ant populations should focus on creating shaded areas rather than relying on pesticides, as chemical treatments can negatively affect native species.
During the program, students engaged in data collection and analysis over an eight-week timeframe, with a focus on diverse topics, including stormwater management, biodiversity, equity of access, and public policy. This experience allowed them to confront real-world challenges related to urban planning and sustainability.
Significance of Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The SERGUS REU program represented a critical intersection of various fields of study, highlighting the necessity of interdisciplinary work to address complex urban environmental issues. The data and insights gathered during the program are intended to inform future urban planning efforts in Cleveland and beyond, ensuring that greenway developments foster ecological well-being and community engagement.
Conclusion
As urban development continues to grow, the findings of the SERGUS REU program reinforce the vital role that greenways play in enhancing biodiversity and sustainability within urban systems. The collaboration between UTC and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has equipped students with practical experience, setting the stage for future implementations of environmentally-conscious urban planning.
FAQ
What is the SERGUS REU program?
The SERGUS REU program stands for The Socio-Ecological Role of Greenways in Urban Systems and is a research initiative funded by the National Science Foundation, focusing on studying greenways and their impacts on urban environments.
Where did the research take place?
The research took place across three locations: Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway, Edwardsville, Illinois, focusing on Madison County Transit Greenways, and Cleveland, Tennessee, on the Cleveland/Bradley County Greenway.
What were the main findings of the study?
The study revealed significant biodiversity in the Cleveland/Bradley Greenway, with trees that enhance thermal comfort and recommendations for increasing green spaces to combat urban heat. It also noted the negative effects of invasive species on the local ecosystem.
Key Features of SERGUS REU Program
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Program Name | SERGU REU (The Socio-Ecological Role of Greenways in Urban Systems) |
| Duration | Three Years (2023 – 2025) |
| Funding | National Science Foundation |
| Primary Locations | Chattanooga, Edwardsville, Cleveland |
| Main Themes | Biodiversity, Urban Planning, Community Engagement |
| Research Focus | Greenway biodiversity, stormwater management, invasive species, and accessibility |
| Key Recommendations | Increase green spaces, plant more trees, manage invasive species non-chemically |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Cleveland Bradley Greenway: One of the Coolest Places in Town
- Cleveland Aims to Build 50 Miles of Protected Bike Lanes
- Brunswick Begins Third Phase of Plum Creek Greenways Trail
- Cleveland Metroparks Opens Initial Phases of Transformative Euclid Creek Greenway
- Wikipedia: Greenway
- Google Search: Greenway Urban Planning
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