Abstract

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Using GIS to Identify Neighborhoods with Special Characteristics
Track: Census and Geodemographics
Author(s): Earl Bossard

GIS is playing an increasing role in helping us to understand or envision neighborhoods. Census and other geodemographic data, including Esri Tapestry data, is being routinely queried in GIS to facilitate choices such as choosing a neighborhood in which to reside, work, shop, recreate, or conduct business. However, such searches may be haphazard and inefficient.



This paper demonstrates a refined search strategy consisting of Yes-No queries, followed, when needed, by construction of weighted indices and further queries of those indices to identify neighborhoods with complex characteristics such as those designated as "the Suburban American Dream" and "Urban Hip Neighborhoods for Creative Class Professionals." Organized collections of small multiple GIS maps, charts, photos, and tables are used to demonstrate how such neighborhoods are identified using context and questions. GIS can enhance our vision to think, enabling enlightened choices to be made when using data-laden geodemographic maps.

Earl Bossard
San Jose State University
Urban and Regional Planning
401 Del Oro Ave.
Davis , CA 95616-0418
US
Phone: 5307581602
E-mail: bossard3@pacbell.net