Rezoning Neighborhoods
In face of the recent neighborhood rezoning studies, New Yorkers for Parks conducted an Open Space Index for the announced geographies. During fall of 2015, I developed a geographical information systems (GIS) methodology to measure open space indicators in the announced neighborhoods. The goal was to provide datasets and indicators related to Open Space that will contribute to an informed discussion between city agencies and community groups. Based on 15 specific standards, the Open Space Index provides indicators for a specific geography or neighborhood. Such standards are grouped in four categories:
- Amount of Open Space in relation to population (for both passive and active recreation)
- Access and Distance to Parks (population within walking distance to a park)
- Environmental Sustainability (tree canopy and permeable surfacing)
- Park Maintenance (cleanliness and overall maintenance)
The GIS analysis can be replicated for future or unannounced rezoning studies in the city. I was assigned to document the methodology in a set of detailed instructions that would enable staff and other organizations to reproduce the analysis.
Intereactive Maps
Results from the GIS analysis can be visualized at the following online interactive story map (external link):
Dataset sources:
- Rezoning neighborhoods from New York City Department of City Planning and NYC Economic Development Corporation
- Census Block Group population data from U.S Census 5 year 2014 American Community Survey
- Functional Parkland from New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
- Census Block Group population data from U.S Census 5 year 2014 American Community Survey
- Functional Parkland from New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
- New York State Park Boundaries from NYSGIS Clearing house
- Athletic Facilities from New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
- Play Areas from New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
- GrowNYC Community Gardens from GrowNYC 2014 Survey
- Landcover Raster Data (2010) from LiDAR survey New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
- Play Areas from New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
- GrowNYC Community Gardens from GrowNYC 2014 Survey
- Landcover Raster Data (2010) from LiDAR survey New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
New Yorkers for Parks - Non profit organization
Timeline: September - December 2015
Reviewers: Beth Bingham (Director of Planning and Research) and Lucy Robson (Planning and Research Analyst)
My role: GIS analysis, research, report writing and development of interactive story maps (Research and GIS Graduate Intern)
