6.9 Urban Data

Introduction

Urban data refers to data that is collected about urban areas, including cities, towns, and other built-up areas. Urban data can include a wide range of information, including demographic data, economic data, housing data, and data on infrastructure and other urban systems.

Urban data is often collected and analyzed by governments, research institutions, and other organizations in order to better understand urban trends and patterns, to inform policy and planning decisions, and to measure the performance of urban systems and services.

Urban data can be collected using a variety of methods, including censuses, surveys, satellite imagery, and other sources. It can be analyzed using statistical and spatial analysis techniques to identify trends and patterns and to understand the relationships between different variables.

Urban data can be used to inform a wide range of decisions and policy areas, including housing, transportation, economic development, and environmental management. It can also be used to track progress towards urban sustainability goals and to identify areas where further action is needed.

Quantitative Data: The Census

Quantitative Data

Quantitative data is data that can be measured and expressed in numerical terms. It is often used in research and analysis to describe and understand trends and patterns in data.

Quantitative data can be collected using a variety of methods, including surveys, experiments, and observational studies. It can be analyzed using statistical and mathematical techniques to identify patterns and trends and to understand the relationships between different variables.

There are a number of advantages to using quantitative data in research and analysis, including the ability to:

• Measure and compare data: Quantitative data allows for the measurement and comparison of data in a standardized way.
• Test hypotheses: Quantitative data can be used to test hypotheses and to determine the statistical significance of relationships between variables.
• Generalize findings: Quantitative data can be used to make generalizations about a larger population based on a sample. Quantitative data is often contrasted with qualitative data, which is more subjective and difficult to measure numerically. Both quantitative and qualitative data can be useful in different contexts and for different purposes, and many research studies use a combination of both types of data.

Census

The census is a process of collecting, compiling, and publishing data about the population and housing of a country or region. It is typically conducted by national governments or other official bodies, and it is typically conducted on a regular basis, such as every 10 years.

The census is an important source of data that is used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Planning and policy-making: The census provides data that can be used by governments, businesses, and other organizations to make informed decisions about planning and policy.
• Allocating resources: The census can be used to help allocate resources, such as funding for schools and other public services, based on the needs of different areas.
• Studying social and economic trends: The census can provide valuable insights into social and economic trends and patterns, such as changes in population size and composition, housing patterns, and income levels. The census typically collects a wide range of data, including information about age, gender, race and ethnicity, family structure, education, employment, and housing. It may also collect data on a variety of other topics, depending on the specific needs and goals of the census.

Censuses can be conducted using a variety of methods, including mail surveys, phone surveys, and in-person interviews. In recent years, there has been a trend towards the use of digital technologies to collect and compile census data.

Here are a few examples of censuses:

• The United States Census is a national census that is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau every 10 years. It collects data on a wide range of topics, including age, gender, race and ethnicity, household composition, education, employment, and housing.
• The Canadian Census is a national census that is conducted by Statistics Canada every five years. It collects data on a range of topics, including age, gender, language, education, employment, and housing.
• The Indian Census is a national census that is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner every 10 years. It collects data on a wide range of topics, including age, gender, religion, education, employment, and housing.
• The United Kingdom Census is a national census that is conducted by the Office for National Statistics every 10 years. It collects data on a range of topics, including age, gender, race and ethnicity, household composition, education, employment, and housing.

Racial/Residential Segregation

Census data, including data on age, race and ethnicity, and household composition, can be used to create maps that show patterns of residential and racial segregation in urban areas. Residential segregation refers to the separation of different racial or ethnic groups into different neighborhoods or communities. It can be the result of a variety of factors, including discriminatory housing practices, economic inequality, and personal preferences. Racial segregation can have a number of negative impacts, including limiting access to resources and opportunities, exacerbating social and economic inequality, and contributing to racial tensions and conflict. Maps created using census data can help to identify patterns of residential and racial segregation and can be used to inform policy and planning decisions aimed at promoting more inclusive and equitable communities. They can also be used by researchers and advocates to raise awareness about segregation and its impacts and to advocate for change. 

We can also create maps that look at the average income, or at the average age of a neighborhood. Below is a map generated with data from the 2010 Census about Residential Segregation in New York City.

Source: The New York Times

Qualitative Data: Field Studies & Maps

Qualitative Data

Qualitative data is data that is descriptive and can't be measured or expressed in numerical terms. It is often used in research and analysis to understand people's experiences, perspectives, and feelings about a particular topic or issue.

Qualitative data can be collected using a variety of methods, including interviews, focus groups, observations, and document analysis. It can be analyzed using techniques such as content analysis or thematic analysis, which involve coding and categorizing the data to identify patterns and themes.

There are a number of advantages to using qualitative data in research and analysis, including the ability to:

• Understand complex issues in depth: Qualitative data can provide a rich and detailed understanding of complex issues, allowing researchers to delve into the nuances and context of a particular topic.
• Explore new or emerging issues: Qualitative data can be particularly useful for exploring new or emerging issues that may not be well understood or that may not have a clear set of measurable variables.
• Understand people's experiences and perspectives: Qualitative data can provide valuable insights into people's experiences and perspectives, allowing researchers to understand how people make sense of their world and how they interpret events and phenomena.

Looking at that Map above, that isn’t exactly quantitative data…. The map isn’t displaying a number that can be made into averages and the data does not have any other quantitative characteristics… The type of data shown in the map is qualitative. 

Field studies and maps are two types of data collection methods that can provide qualitative data about a particular area or phenomenon.

Field Studies

Field studies involve observing and collecting data about a particular area or community in person, often over an extended period of time. Field studies can be used to collect a wide range of data, including observations, interviews, surveys, and other types of data. Field studies can be particularly useful for understanding the context and complexities of a particular place or issue, and they can provide valuable insights that may not be captured through more quantitative methods.

Here are a few examples of field studies:

• A study of the impacts of urbanization on rural communities might involve conducting in-person interviews with residents of both urban and rural areas to gather detailed information about their experiences and perspectives.
• A study of the social and economic impacts of a new transportation system might involve conducting observations of the system in use and collecting data on factors such as ridership, travel patterns, and economic activity.
• A study of the impacts of a natural disaster on a community might involve conducting surveys with residents to gather information about their experiences, needs, and coping strategies.
• A study of the social and economic impacts of a new development project might involve conducting in-depth interviews with developers, community leaders, and local residents to understand the different perspectives on the project and its impacts.

Maps

Maps are visual representations of data that can be used to represent a wide range of information about a particular area or region. Maps can be used to show the location and distribution of particular features or phenomena, such as population density, land use, or natural resources. Maps can be a useful tool for understanding patterns and trends in a particular area and can be used in conjunction with other data sources to provide a more complete picture of an area or issue.

Both field studies and maps can be valuable tools for collecting and understanding qualitative data about a particular area or issue. They can be used alone or in combination with other data sources to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a particular place or phenomenon.