ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION 

Industrial Zoning Changes and Environmental Justice in New York City: 
An Historical Geographical and Cultural Analysis 


by JULIANA A. MAANTAY 

Dissertation Director: 
Professor Robert Lake 


This study explores whether zoning changes in New York City Wtrate and perpetuate environmental injustices. The city's zoning laws restrict the location of noxious uses to Mandkctukg ('M')zones, but M zones are not distributed evenly throughout the city, and many M zones have been increased or reduced since inception Manufacturing zones typically cany higher environmental loadings thanResidential zones, with potentially adverse health and quality of life impacts to Manufactwiug zone residents. Approximately 22 percent of New Yorkers live in census tracts within major M zones. + 

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The 409 zoning map changes involving M zones between 1961-1998 were plotted by borough, decade, magnitude, and type to examine the spatial and temporal patterns of re-zoning actions, and enable comparisons of demographic indicators, before andafter re zoning. Since the city has re-zoned major M zones &m manufacturing to other uses at three times the rate that areas have teen re-zoned fiom other uses @ manufacturing,the remaining M zones have experienced a concentration of noxioh uses. The Bronx, the -least afnuent borough with the highest percentage of minorities, had the most major M zone increases and the fewest major decreases; Manbattan, the most affiuent borough, received the fewest major M zone increases and the most major decreases. The re-wning pattern corresponds to policy trends regarding privatization, gentrification, the importance of industry, and the roles of governmental and community-led planning. 

M zones contain higher percentages of minorities and renters, having lower incomes, than the borough or city averages for every borough andcensus period, excepting Manhattan Areas within one half mile of major M zone increases tend to have higher percentages of minorities andrenters, andlower incomes, thanborough or M zone averages, remaining so after re-zoning. Areas within one half mile of major M zone deceases tend to have lower percentages of minorities and renters, and higher average incomes, thanborough averages. 

Although mning's ostensible purpose isto ensure public health, welfare, and safety, presumably providing equal protection under the law, zoning as practiced in New York City appears to protect differentially, depending on race and ethnicity, incorne, and homeowner status.