Urban Studies Program – Â鶹ĘÓƵ Tue, 23 Sep 2025 21:15:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/cropped-favicon_logo-32x32.jpg Urban Studies Program – Â鶹ĘÓƵ 32 32 Understanding the social determinants of health and legislation /projects/understanding-the-social-determinants-of-health-and-legislation/ /projects/understanding-the-social-determinants-of-health-and-legislation/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:40:15 +0000 https://commons.epicn.org/projects/understanding-the-social-determinants-of-health-and-legislation/ Read More... from Understanding the social determinants of health and legislation

]]> Access to healthcare is deeply linked with economic standing. Economic standing can be defined by a variety of factors. For the purpose of our project, we are defining economic standingby employment, debt, and income security. We believe this social determinant category to be significant because the disproportionate level of poverty minorities face, especially when analyzed through a level of health perspective, is a form of violence. In this project, we plan to outline, specifically within the Milwaukee community, how economic standing is a social determinant and deeply impacts the ability of minority groups to receive equal access to healthcare.

This project conducted in partnership with Marquette University Honors Program.

UniverCity Year Contact Info
Gavin Luter
Managing Director
gavin@cows.org
608-261-1141

]]> /projects/understanding-the-social-determinants-of-health-and-legislation/feed/ 0 Accessibility and Infrastructure in The City of Frederick /projects/accessibility-and-infrastructure-in-the-city-of-frederick/ /projects/accessibility-and-infrastructure-in-the-city-of-frederick/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:43 +0000 https://commons.epicn.org/projects/accessibility-and-infrastructure-in-the-city-of-frederick/ Read More... from Accessibility and Infrastructure in The City of Frederick

]]> This report analyzes pedestrian and bus accessibility in the City of Frederick using three methods: geospatial analysis, cataloging photographs and surveys. ArcMap was used to map the locations of four vulnerable populations: the elderly, renters, minorities, and those with low vehicle ownership. This information was overlaid with a quarter-mile walkshed from Frederick County TransIT bus lines to identify neighborhoods that are both high risk and appear to have limited accessibility. After identifying neighborhoods, the team cataloged and geocoded the existing neighborhood infrastructure. Finally, a survey of City residents gathered information about their attitudes and habits about riding the bus and walking as a means of transportation. The report’s findings are mixed: bus accessibility and usage is low, while the City excels in walking infrastructure and accessibility.

]]> /projects/accessibility-and-infrastructure-in-the-city-of-frederick/feed/ 0 PALS: Neighborhood Identification, City of Frederick, Maryland /projects/pals-neighborhood-identification-city-of-frederick-maryland/ /projects/pals-neighborhood-identification-city-of-frederick-maryland/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:43 +0000 https://commons.epicn.org/projects/pals-neighborhood-identification-city-of-frederick-maryland/ Read More... from PALS: Neighborhood Identification, City of Frederick, Maryland

]]> This report aims to address questions on changing socio-economic and physical conditions in Frederick and how those conditions could formulated into a new neighborhood identification system. This report recommends that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, online surveys and photo sharing applications are some solutions for creating such a neighborhood identification system. While these planning technologies provide multiple ways or “layers” to define neighborhood boundaries, survey distribution is necessary to contextualize the quantitative results of the analysis.

]]> /projects/pals-neighborhood-identification-city-of-frederick-maryland/feed/ 0 Neighborhood Locations and Amenities /projects/neighborhood-locations-and-amenities/ /projects/neighborhood-locations-and-amenities/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:41 +0000 https://commons.epicn.org/projects/neighborhood-locations-and-amenities/ Read More... from Neighborhood Locations and Amenities

]]> This report presents exploratory research that examines the relationship between neighborhood boundaries and amenity location/accessibility in The City of Frederick. A series of maps were produced that depict neighborhoods based on distance to amenities. Surveys were conducted to better understand which amenities draw locally and which draw regionally. Research shows that accessibility is higher the closer to downtown you live. Additionally, residents prefer to use grocery stores close to their local neighborhood, but travel to Baker Park regardless of where they live. This research provides a framework for addressing the amenity accessibility of neighborhoods and discusses potential further research using this framework and how it could benefit the City of Frederick.

]]> /projects/neighborhood-locations-and-amenities/feed/ 0 A Comparison of the Accessibility of Three Neighborhood’s Institutions and Amenities in Frederick, MD /projects/a-comparison-of-the-accessibility-of-three-neighborhoodsae-institutions-and-amenities-in-frederick-md/ Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:41 +0000 https://commons.epicn.org/projects/a-comparison-of-the-accessibility-of-three-neighborhoodsae-institutions-and-amenities-in-frederick-md/ Read More... from A Comparison of the Accessibility of Three Neighborhood’s Institutions and Amenities in Frederick, MD

]]> Frederick is a city of neighborhoods. We studied three neighborhoods in the southern part of the City: Downtown—the area of downtown Frederick, South—the area to the immediate south and west of downtown, and West—the area west of the Frederick Bypass anchored by the Golden Mile and US-40. We based our analysis on the institutions and amenities present in each neighborhood. Institutions were landmarks or structures of civic nature such as schools, banks, churches, and parks, while amenities were necessities or conveniences such as groceries, retail, or service areas. We determined the boundaries of the neighborhoods by mapping the locations of institutions and amenities within the City and observing how they were geographically organized, then using differences in the age of the buildings in those areas as well as physical barriers between them to designate borders. We then studied selected social, demographic, and economic characteristics of the neighborhoods. These were age, income, race, and household size. We found that households tended to consist of fewer people closer to downtown Frederick, the youngest and most racially diverse areas were along the Golden Mile, the oldest and least diverse were in downtown Frederick and west of downtown, and income levels throughout the study area can be seen as having a bi-centric distribution. We also administered a survey in person at three locations within the City. Survey questions explored how often respondents visited amenities and institutions, and what form of transportation they used to get to those places. Respondents indicated that convenience stores were the type of service they used the most often, most trips they took to such destinations were less than five miles, and the mode of transportation they chose depended on their destination. Large numbers of respondents indicated support for bike lanes, traffic abatement, and crosswalks. Three recommendations result from this analysis: add bike lanes wherever possible; improve walkability; implement policies to encourage the opening of a grocery store within downtown Frederick. In the future, appropriate areas of research to extend this study may include bicyclist and pedestrian counts at key locations to guide bicycle and pedestrian policy within the City, a thorough assessment of the City’s public transportation system, and a review of neighborhood zoning to determine whether it reflects a desirable and functional land use pattern.

]]> Housing Opportunity in Southwest Baltimore /projects/housing-opportunity-in-southwest-baltimore/ /projects/housing-opportunity-in-southwest-baltimore/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:40 +0000 https://commons.epicn.org/projects/housing-opportunity-in-southwest-baltimore/ Read More... from Housing Opportunity in Southwest Baltimore

]]> The housing group focused on a variety of factors or variables to assess housing issues in the Southwest Partnership neighborhoods. Our goal was to identify areas of lowest and highest housing opportunity in the Partnership area by analyzing variables related to the characteristics and quality of housing. These variables included housing conditions, year built, housing value, gross rent, cost burden, vacant housing, and vacant housing compared with median age. The resulting GIS maps are an opportunity index to determine the areas that are in need of attention. The group determined that the Mount Clare and Franklin Square areas are the hardest hit due to their high vacancy rates. In alignment with Southwest Partnership’s goals, the group also determined that more affordable housing should be added to the Union Square area, as it has the highest median value. Lastly, the group determined the Partnership should assist its cost-burdened residents by connecting them to financial assistance programs, job training, or other opportunity programs to help them increase their income.

]]> /projects/housing-opportunity-in-southwest-baltimore/feed/ 0 Southwest Partnership Project Economic Development Team /projects/southwest-partnership-project-economic-development-team/ /projects/southwest-partnership-project-economic-development-team/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:40 +0000 https://commons.epicn.org/projects/southwest-partnership-project-economic-development-team/ Read More... from Southwest Partnership Project Economic Development Team

]]> The Southwest Partnership has made significant progress in exploring the existing status of commercial development in their seven neighborhoods. This project will support this work using geospatial analysis and visualization to further the Southwest Partnership’s economic development goals. Data provided by the Southwest Partnership on existing businesses was geocoded and represented on a map of the seven neighborhoods and their immediate surroundings. The businesses in the Southwest Partnership area were categorized according to a display-friendly schema. The three main layers presented are vacant parcels with commercial and industrial zoning, business locations by category, and transit lines and stops. Major observations include the residential nature of most northern and southern neighborhoods, with the most concentrated and varied business activity in the central Hollins Market neighborhood and its borders. This neighborhood is also well-served by transit, is commercially zoned, and contains multiple vacant properties, suggesting its suitability for future business development. The report concludes that geospatial portrayal of business locations and types can contribute to future economic development strategies in the Southwest Partnership. However, several further steps would help solidify the information base. More accurate and comprehensive business information with respect to operating status and confirmed type of business conducted at each location is necessary, likely by visual survey. Additionally, resident feedback about new businesses and locations will help validate the analysis presented here that summarized existing types, gaps, and possible locations for future enterprises. The user-friendly, online GIS format of the final map product should prove useful in both presenting the analysis to the Southwest Partnership and form a basis for future work.

]]> /projects/southwest-partnership-project-economic-development-team/feed/ 0 Healthy and Safe Neighborhoods /projects/healthy-and-safe-neighborhoods/ /projects/healthy-and-safe-neighborhoods/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:40 +0000 https://commons.epicn.org/projects/healthy-and-safe-neighborhoods/ Read More... from Healthy and Safe Neighborhoods

]]> For this project the Healthy and Safe Neighborhoods group worked with Baltimore’s Southwest Partnership (SWP) to create mapping resources for their seven partnering neighborhoods. The primary focus was to investigate the health and safety of Southwest Baltimore’s current neighborhood using the most recent ACS (American Community Survey) and Census Data as well as open source data provided by the City and the SWP, to determine if certain conditions influence one another. Like much of Baltimore, the Partnership’s neighborhoods have been isolated and neglected due to white flight, racially restrictive zoning, redlining, and “decades of disinvestment.”1 By using GIS mapping to visualize the neighborhood conditions and GIS analysis to pinpoint areas of opportunity and concern, we hope to help SWP focus their resources to attract new residents and investment, particularly from its neighboring partners and anchor institutions. Recently planners have used GIS to map areas of opportunity and spatial mismatch where, for example, employment needs do not match resident skills. Using crime data provided by the SWP and the City, this report compares street conditions and demographics in Southwest Baltimore with contributing factors or variables that would affect the neighborhoods’ health and safety. The following variables were mapped: racial demographics, median household income, vacant houses, crime density by type and time of day, urban tree canopy, street conditions, street lights, and illegal dumping sites. Analysis showed that the neighborhood trends reflected issues facing Baltimore City as a whole, so the study area was expanded to provide context and draw comparisons between the City and the SWP area. Both Baltimore City and the SWP area have overlapping clusters of aging infrastructure, low income, crime, and vacancies abutting areas of wealth and security. In the end, the limiting factors on the analysis were due to incomplete data sets, which SWP recognizes and continues to build.

]]> /projects/healthy-and-safe-neighborhoods/feed/ 0 Job Accessibility in Southwest Baltimore /projects/job-accessibility-in-southwest-baltimore/ /projects/job-accessibility-in-southwest-baltimore/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:40 +0000 https://commons.epicn.org/projects/job-accessibility-in-southwest-baltimore/ Read More... from Job Accessibility in Southwest Baltimore

]]> Job accessibility is a question of how many jobs are available in a given area, and whether or not area residents are physically able to get to them via car, transit, or other modes of transportation. In addition, it is a question of whether these jobs are a “good fit” for the residents who have access to them—whether or not these jobs offer wages that are competitive and whether or not these jobs require skills and experience consistent with employees’ training and education. This study develops a preliminary understanding of the employment challenges and opportunities facing Southwest Partnership (SWP) residents by mapping selected Longitudinal Employer Household Dynamics (LEHD) and American Community Survey (ACS) data related to employment and commuting. It finds that SWP residents live close to a substantial number of jobs at all wage and skill levels, with average commutes that are consistent with City-wide averages. Nevertheless there is room for improvement. In particular, SWP residents would benefit from programs that match local residents with nearby opportunities and improved multimodal transportation access. It concludes that the SWP should continue to highlight its potential as a central, relatively well-connected area where improvements in infrastructure and educational attainment levels can have a big impact. Targeted improvements in these areas could both enhance the quality of life for existing residents and attract new residents to the community.

]]> /projects/job-accessibility-in-southwest-baltimore/feed/ 0 Workforce Development in Southwest Baltimore: Mapping the Context, Challenges, and Opportunities /projects/workforce-development-in-southwest-baltimore-mapping-the-context-challenges-and-opportunities/ /projects/workforce-development-in-southwest-baltimore-mapping-the-context-challenges-and-opportunities/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:39:40 +0000 https://commons.epicn.org/projects/workforce-development-in-southwest-baltimore-mapping-the-context-challenges-and-opportunities/ Read More... from Workforce Development in Southwest Baltimore: Mapping the Context, Challenges, and Opportunities

]]> The Southwest Partnership (SWP) is a group of 13 partners striving to make “deliberate, positive changes” in the SWP area, which includes the neighborhoods of Barre Circle, Pigtown, Franklin Square, Hollins Market, Mount Clare, Poppleton, and Union Square. Workforce development is an important aspect of any urban area, and in order to meet SWP’s vision of an “awesome, healthy, architecturally beautiful, diverse, cohesive community of choice built on mutual respect and shared responsibility,” it is especially essential to develop and sustain training and educational opportunities, a healthy job market, and access to those jobs for local residents. Working in partnership with the SWP, the project team therefore addressed the topic of workforce development within the SWP area, and throughout the Baltimore City as a whole. We analyzed demographic factors that contribute to residents’ ability to work, job and industry data that sets the context for the area and City, and existing programs from a variety of providers. The goal was to better define workforce development challenges, as well as identify local opportunities. Our research and maps revealed that residents of the SWP area do face more significant challenges than the residents of Baltimore City as a whole, but also revealed that there are existing opportunities that residents can access, which are presented in an interactive map now available to the public. This report also makes a series of recommendations and suggests further research that can help the SWP achieve its goals.

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