Opportunity Mapping: Using GIS for Social Equity, Racial Justice and Advocacy
- 1. Lecture to City and Regional Planning GIS Course Columbus, OH January 18th 2011 Presented by: Jason Reece Senior Researcher Reece.35@osu.edu The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity The Ohio State University 1
- 3. Using Mapping For Advocacy: Space and Regional Equity Why are maps particularly effective in dealing with issues of equity? Regional, racial and social inequity often manifest as spatial inequity Maps are naturally the best tools to display this spatial phenomena Other disciplines and sectors are using multivariate mapping to problem solve Private industry NGO’s (Non Profit Sector) ○ Long history in the environmental field Public sector ○ Local Government ○ Federal Government Recent interest in mapping by HUD for supporting sustainable communities 3
- 4. Why Mapping? Communications Why is a map an excellent visual tool to inform someone about an issue/problem or solution? Maps are incredibly efficient, compacting volumes of data into single pictures that can be understood at a glance ○ One map may contain tens of thousands of pieces of information than can be understood in seconds A good map can enable you to tell a story or solve a problem ○ Research has shown that people can solve problems faster with map based information, than by looking at charts, tables or graphs 4
- 5. GIS/Mapping = Powerful Analysis The power of GIS Overlays of data/information ○ Depth of analysis – because of its storage and overlay capabilities, GIS allows analysis which would be difficult or impossible without GIS technology ○ Interaction of variables: GIS allows for extensive exploration of the interaction between various factors, primarily the focusing on correlation and relationships (spatial) 5
- 6. Think of Mapping as a Tool: It can be used for positive or negative purposes. E.g. Mapping for Inequity – Redlining to support institutionalized disinvestment How can we use this tool and effectively use maps to advocate for equity? 6
- 7. Opportunity Mapping & Advocacy What is it? What can it be used for? Outcomes? 7
- 8. Opportunity Matters: Space, Place, and Life Outcomes “Opportunity” is a situation or condition that places individuals in a position to be more likely to succeed or excel. Opportunity structures are critical to opening pathways to success: High-quality education Healthy and safe environment Stable housing Sustainable employment Political empowerment Outlets for wealth-building Positive social networks 8
- 9. Systems Thinking: We are all situated within “opportunity structures” Physical Social Cultural Outcomes & Behaviors These structures interact in ways that produce racialized outcomes for different groups, but also in ways that influence identity 9
- 10. The Communities of Opportunity Model and Fair Housing Everyone should have fair access to the critical opportunity structures needed to succeed in life. Low Opportunity neighborhoods limit the development of human capital A Community of Opportunity approach can develop pathways that result in increased social and economic health, benefiting everyone Looking at people, places and linkages ○ Linkages = building connections to areas of opportunity ○ Example: Opportunity based fair housing 10
- 11. Mapping Opportunity: Why and How The Kirwan Institute has conducted “opportunity mapping” for states and metropolitan regions across the US Projects in at least a dozen states ○ Full State Analysis: MA, CT, OH, FL ○ Regions: Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Detroit, Austin, Sacramento, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, New Orleans Why identify the “State of Opportunity” How are low-income groups situated in the State? How are racial and ethnic groups situated? How does housing intersect with race, class and opportunity What can be done to improve the opportunity landscape? 11
- 12. Sample Indicators: From Recent King County Opportunity Mapping Analysis Education Housing & Neighborhood Student poverty rates Health Reading/Math test scores Home ownership rates Adult educational attainment Crime incidence Teacher qualifications Vacancy rates Graduation rate Home value appreciation Neighborhood poverty rates Population change ECONOMIC HEALTH Proximity to parks/open space Proximity to employment Proximity to toxic waste release sites Commute times Job growth trends Business start trends Unemployment rate All indicators grounded in social science research Public assistance rate literature, also indicators can be more narrowly tailored to meet the needs of particular populations (e.g. public housing residents). 12
- 13. Example of an Opportunity Map: Detroit MI (Dark Areas = Most Opportunity Rich Communities) (Light Areas = Most Opportunity Deprived Areas) 13
- 14. MA Legal Services and Opportunity Communities Background on this project Originated from effort to incorporate mapping analysis into legal services Partners Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, MA Legal Assistance Corp (foundation) and other Legal Services Entities Year long process of meeting with stakeholders to understand mapping needs and issues Training with service providers & agencies (using mapping for programming) 14
- 15. Comprehensive Opportunity Map: Greater Boston 15
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- 19. Applications and Impact Program design and use within legal services New programming – proposed “Adopt A Zip Code” program Use in exploring client concerns/challenges State level program design (public sector) New $5 million state affordable housing program, targeted to high opportunity communities (see press release) Targeting of $21 million in NSP funds to low opportunity communities by the MA Department of Housing and Community Development Implementation still unfolding 19
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- 21. Other Project Impacts: CT Connecticut “The mapping is guiding our next round of fair housing testing…our mapping report has been identified by the CT Department of Economic and Community Development as one of the three central principles that will guide its planning over the next five years.” ○ Erin Boggs, CT Fair Housing Center 21
- 22. Other Projects Impacts & Activities Baltimore Remedial proposal in Thompson v. HUD Chicago (Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities) Use in advising voucher holders in neighborhood selection Austin Use in evaluating city’s affordable housing investments Related Project: Washington County, OR Advised on opportunity map created by the County included in recent consolidated plan for County ○ Exploring application in planning activities for the broader Portland region Child Development Jacksonville, FL & the Duvall County children’s commission Organizing diverse stakeholders San Francisco Bay Area, Open Society Institute Black Make Achievement Program 22
- 23. Want to Learn More? Resources & Reference Materials Mapping for Social Justice The Kirwan Institute Study: ○ Utilizing GIS to Support Advocacy and Social Justice More on Opportunity Mapping The Kirwan Institute Reports ○ Communities of Opportunity: A Framework for an Equitable & Sustainable Future ○ The Geography of Opportunity: A Review of Opportunity Mapping Research Initiatives All Available on-line at: kirwaninstitute.org 23
- 24. Want to Learn More? Resources & Reference Materials Mapping & Advocacy – Two recent articles from Clearinghouse Review Jason Reece and Eric Schultheis. Poverty’s Place: The Use of Geographic Information Systems in Poverty Advocacy. Clearinghouse Review Journal of Poverty Law and Policy. January-February 2009. Maya Roy and Jason Reece. Poverty’s Place Revisited: Mapping for Justice & Democratizing Data to Combat Poverty. Clearinghouse Review Journal of Poverty Law and Policy. July/August 2010. To access, visit Clearinghouse Review at: www.povertylaw.org/clearinghouse-review 24
- 25. Web Based and Interactive Opportunity Maps http://www.kirwaninstitute.org/connect/king-county-wa-opportunity-mapping.html 25
- 26. www.KirwanInstitute.org www.race-talk.org KirwanInstitute on: 26