CSI Researcher Anthony Giancatarino is in the running for PolicyLink’s Favorite Equity Map contest.

The ten maps with the most votes will be featured in the Equity Map Gallery in Detroit at Equity Summit 2011, and the winning mapmaker will receive a free registration (a $275 value) to the Summit.

Vote for CSI maps here.

Our 3 maps:

Bus lines do not serve most communities with significant elderly populations. For example tracts located in Vestavia Hills, west of Fairfield, north of Center Point, and in Forestdale remain un-served by public transportation. Within Birmingham, many elderly communities of color also do not have adequate bus service to access vital needs, such as hospital. This map shows that investments in public transit are vital not only for access to jobs, but also as a means for older residents who need transit to see medical assistance.

Source: US Census, ESRI, Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, HRSA.gov

Most jobs are outside of the city of Birmingham, located near Vestavia Hills, Homewood, and Hoover. These jobs are mostly served by highways and not public transit. The lack of transit causes difficulty for people in census tracts within Adamsville and Hoover who have communities that have no car and need transit (see: thatched lines). The lack of regional transit leads to difficulties for communities of color who live in Fairfield, Birmingham, and Forestdale with no car in accessing jobs. Lastly, this map shows that the lack of public transit lines interconnecting Birmingham’s southern suburbs limits these communities from opportunities to jobs if they are without a car.

Source: US Census, ESRI, Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham

A significant portion of the Toxic Release sites in Louisiana are within, or next to, census tracts with a majority population of color. The best example is seen through the string of toxic release sites from New Orleans to Baton Rouge (as the triangles string along the blue shaded areas). Overall, over 30% of the state live within a census tract that has at least 1 toxic release site. This map was used to demonstrate the connection of pollution on communities of color for healthcare advocates and community groups in Louisiana.

Sources: ESRI, US Census, EPA: Toxic Release Inventory

Tags: Birmingham, Environmental Racism, Equity, Jobs, maps, Transportation

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