For this assignment, students looked at how some aspect of their local environment had been transformed by the Covid-19 era.  In many cases, students were surprised to see that the pandemic had not slowed gentrification in many Indianapolis neighborhoods; in fact, looking at property values, we suspected that the lockdown may have actually accelerated processes of displacement through increased evictions and rapid real estate sales.  Much to my surprise, students did not choose to document the high rate of vacancies that blighted some blocks, particularly in the Central Business District and in other once-popular entertainment districts.


Surviving Covid-19: Local Businesses and Community by Nicole Blackburn

In the midst of a pandemic, how are local businesses fairing as they try to keep themselves and their community safe while still earning sufficient income? Nicole Blackburn argues that a local business’ ability to survive this crisis is dependent on their ability to adhere to safety precautions, ingenuity, and the support of the surrounding community.

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Neighborhood Tour Project: The Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis by Heather Blankenbaker

How has the pandemic affected non-profit organizations and their patrons? Heather Blankenbaker evaluates how the Boys and Girls Club’s Keenan Stahl Unit has changed to ensure the safety of their students, the pandemic’s impact on members, and questions for the future.

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Neighbors Feeding Neighbors in Little Flower by Danny Carroll

Food insecurity rates are heavily influenced by unemployment and poverty, both of which were impacted by the pandemic. In this project, Danny Carroll explores how residents of Little Flower built raised beds in front of homes to grow food for their neighbors who may have faced food insecurity.

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The Post-Pandemic City by Benjamin Clark

The pandemic saw a shift of working in offices to working from home, leaving downtown buildings like the Indiana Government Center virtually empty. Benjamin Clark reimagines public housing and vacant state government offices in Indianapolis through an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap.

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Effects of Covid-10 on Brownsburg, Indiana by Ryan Considine

The pandemic has affected the housing market, the rate of home sales and construction and the rate of vacancy. Ryan Considine evaluates how these changes can be seen in Brownsburg, Indiana.

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A Pre, Proto, (and Post?)-COVID Analysis of Mapleton Fall Creek by Dana Dobbins

Rates of unemployment, evictions, and homelessness have increased with the pandemic. Dana Dobbins analyzes how these rates have affected housing in the Mapleton Fall Creek neighborhood and their ties to gentrification.

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How COVID-19 Has Affected Zionsville by Thomas Dylan Goldberg

Thomas Dylan Goldberg compares the Indiana city of Zionsville pre- and post-pandemic, focusing on how businesses were affected.

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Community & Food Insecurity by Sha-Nel Henderson

Food deserts severely affect the health of neighborhood residents. In this project, Sha-Nel Henderson looks at the neighborhood she grew up in, Crown Hill, and the disparities of the area.

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COVID-19 and the Rise of Delivery Drivers by Mason Johnson

Food delivery services like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Ubereats have seen a boost in usage during the pandemic. This increase, along with people losing their jobs or being laid off, has created a rise of delivery drivers acting as contract workers for the companies. Mason Johnson explores this trend in his research.

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Education, Equity, and the Pandemic by Shauna Keith

Many schools adopted hybrid or online-only education models following pandemic restrictions. This has created stress for parents, students, and teachers, and revealed cracks in the education system and available resources. Shauna Keith researches this topic with parent and teacher interviews in this project.

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The Impact of Covid-19 on Places for Young People in Indianapolis by Madison Kerrigan

The closure of public spaces has been used to decrease the spread of COVID-19, but what effects has it had for adolescents? Madison Kerrigan addresses the loss of safe socialization spaces for Indianapolis youth.

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Gentrification & Displacement on Indy’s Near East Side by Emily Leiserson

Gentrification and displacement are evident throughout Indianapolis’s history. Emily Leiserson shares the history of Indy’s Near East Side, highlighting instances of gentrification and displacement through an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap.

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Crown Hill Neighborhood by Allison Luthe

Allison Luthe’s Crown Hill neighborhood tour begins at 3702 Kenwood Avenue, just four blocks south of MLK Center.  You can follow along and view images through an interactive story map.

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Unmasking Change and Conflict: A Neighborhood Tour of Greencastle, Indiana by Meghan Meadows

Explore the city of Greencastle, Indiana through an interactive StoryMap. Meghan Meadows looks at what businesses have closed, opened, and how they have adapted to the pandemic.

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Covid-19 and The Effects on School Closure by Mutia Morris

School systems around the country have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. They have had to navigate new cleaning practices, mask mandates, and social distancing requirements. In this project, Mutia Morris evaluates how schools in Gary, Indiana have been affected by these new standards.

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Slowing Down to Move Faster by Dean Peterson

The pandemic created a “bike surge” in many neighborhoods. Dean Peterson explores this surge and shares the history of bike paths and the struggle to exist with automobiles.

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