Dalia has a BSc in Biology from Western University, where her research focused on spatial and temporal factors that influenced the growth and survivability of invasive species in urban forests. She conducted fieldwork and subsequent analyses of how landscape structure, land-use history, and biodiversity interact to influence the ecological integrity of forest stands. Anthropogenic influences were a major factor that reduced ecological integrity across the study sites, which inspired her to get more interested in community-based environmental work and education. She worked in the non-profit environmental sector for two years, working on community-planting projects, tree identification and local ecology workshops, and large-scale wetland reconstruction projects.
Dalia's current MSc thesis brings together her passion for healthy urban ecosystems and community-led environmental work. She is using a mixed-methods approach to analyze greenspace access trends across Laval, QC and develop community-informed planning scenarios aimed at enhancing greenspace accessibility for marginalized communities. Combining field work, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses, and participatory mapping with Laval residents, Dalia's research asks: How can Laval increase municipal greenspace coverage and work towards global climate targets while improving greenspace accessibility in marginalized communities? How can urban greening support and strengthen the intersectionality and community dynamics of different neighbourhoods? How can local knowledge and perspectives be utilized and prioritized in the development of urban greening scenarios?
The working title of Dalia's thesis project is Equitable greenspace planning: A path to environmental justice in Laval, Quebec.This work is supervised by Professor Jochen Jaeger.
You can learn more about Dalia's work here or at daliaassi24 AT gmail.com