Spatial Analysis of Subway Zones
    in Boston, Massachusetts
    Seung-Hoon Han
    Based on material created as a graduate student in Architecture,
    The University of Michigan.  The author's undergraduate degree is from Harvard College.


    In this article, the graphics tell the story; please be sure to click on images when asked to do so!

    Abstract

    This project creates an information system offering pedestrians in Boston a way to use the web to consider what is near the Boston Subway (MBTA). Geographic Information Systems' (GIS) software (from ESRI) and web presentation tools were used to visualize points of interest and demographics within 0.5 and 1 mile buffer zones of the MBTA.  At a deeper level, proximity to the Boston Subway is used to create zones within which U.S. Census data is employed to consider housing patterns in relation to ethnic groups.  The evidence of maps from this latter activity may help to guide further research on a variety of frontiers.

    Demographic data for this study was acquired from the U.S. Bureau of Census’s TIGER files. These data come in a format easily downloaded as shape files for ArcView from the ESRI Web pages (http://www.esri.com/).

    Data on subway systems and facility locations (points of interest) were retrieved from the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) pages on the Web (http://www.mbta.com/). The author created datasets to be extracted into street layers for a geo-matching process. The material in this article is based on a website prepared by the author as a student in Urban Planning 507, The University of Michigan, January through April, 2001, at which time animated maps were quite unusual.  Some of the author's other efforts at that time involved experiments in the use of ColdFusion to make clickable maps.  His continuing interests in both architecture and urban planning involve employing state-of-the-art technology.

    SUBWAY ZONES IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS / ABSTRACT

    The author wishes to thank the Editor and an Anonymous Reviewer for constructive comments and editorial help.