Research Symposium

25th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 1, 2025

Nickolas Schlax Poster Session 3: 1:45 pm - 2:45 pm/ Poster #112


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BIO


I'm a first-year presidential scholar here at Florida State University. I'm a civil/environmental engineering major interested in rural planning and construction management.

Environmental Justice Concerns in Rural Planning and Regional Biosolids Management

Authors: Nickolas Schlax, Elio Fernandez
Student Major: Civil Engineering
Mentor: Elio Fernandez
Mentor's Department: Environmental Science
Mentor's College: Florida State University
Co-Presenters:

Abstract


Planning for biosolids has become a complex issue that is causing researchers and practitioners to reevaluate the concepts of environmental justice and sustainability. This study reviewed over 100 scholarly articles related to biosolids management, rural planning, regional planning, urban planning, environmental justice, and sustainability. Given the relatively limited research on biosolids planning, we find that a more holistic approach to management is needed. One that considers not only the environmental impacts but also long-term social and human health impacts across regions. From a planning perspective, the literature indicates that regional planning processes between urban and rural sectors need to be more inclusive and conscious of rural realities.

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Keywords: Biosolid, sustainability, environmental