Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department of Urban Studies and Planning


11.520: A Workshop on Geographic Information Systems

11.188: Urban Planning and Social Science Laboratory

Lecture 5a: More Census Data, Queries, and Spatial Analysis Examples

March 5, 2014, Prof. Joseph Ferreira


Administrative notes:

  • Homework #1 is due today on Stellar
  • Homework #2 is online with Part I is due Wed. March 19 (and Part II on April 9)
  • Lab Exercise #5 (Census data) started this week and is due Monday, March 17
  • Lab Exercise #4 (Database aggregation and charting) starts next week and is also due Monday, March 17
  • Optional, supervised lab times once again: Friday 2:00-3:30

Today's Topics:

  • Discuss Lab #2
    • Comments will be returned on Stellar shortly
  • Review key elements of Census data structure and MS-Access usage
    • Basic concepts and links to detailed discussion
  • Examples of GIS mapping services and spatial analyses
    • MassGIS & Metro Boston "Data Commons"
    • 'Heat maps' of transit access and walkability
    • A recent PhD thesis: Mi Diao, "Sustainable Metropolitan Growth Strategies: Exploring the Role of the Built Environment"
    • GIS marketing slides
    • NYTimes map graphics from first day lecture notes

Tutorials and training aides for MS-Access:


Examples of GIS mapping and spatial analysis

  • MassGIS: http://www.mass.gov/mgis/
    • The State's official GIS agency
    • Many of the datasets we use in class are maintained and freely distributed by MassGIS
  • A recent DUSP PhD thesis by Mi Diao
    • See maps of vehicle miles travelled and neighborhood characteristics in metro Boston (by 2550x250m grid cells): Figures 1-9)
  • Site Selection for Low Cost Grocery Store Chain
    • Powerpoint slides used by commercial firm to market site selection tools
      by Edens & Avant and RPM consulting
    • Who is the audience for these GIS services? What expertise do the consultants offer?
    • Why might firms contract out for these services rather than build in-house capacity?
    • Is the methodology or analytic scope overstated?
    • What considerations are omitted, shortchanged, badly measured?
    • From whose point of view is the siting service helpful or hurtful?
    • How might you do a different analysis for a different audience?

 



Last modified 5 March 2014 by Joe Ferreira

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