Ch 3.pdf

CHAPTER THREE INFORMATION FROM SECONDARY SOURCES...

CHAPTER THREE INFORMATION FROM SECONDARY SOURCES Cornelius Nuworsoo Introduction Background P eople all over the world engage in numerous activities of life. They undergo training and education, produce goods and ser- vices, socialize, raise families, and so on. The combinations of people and activities in places define communities. Economic activity sustains communities, cities, metropolitan areas, regions, and nations. Certain areas emphasize agricultural or industrial pro- duction, others promote tourism or entertainment, and some rely on natural resource extraction, while others might predominantly serve civic or residential functions. An essential element that facili- tates human activity is the ability for people and goods to circulate. The facilities and opportunities for circulation define the transpor- tation system. Another essential element of living is shelter. The types, sizes, amenities, and conveniences associated with shelter Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. define housing choices, conditions, and affordability. Human activi- ties, circulation, and housing occur within, affect, and are affected by the environment. How well the conditions of humans meet certain societal norms or standards define the quality of life. This chapter is therefore organized to outline information that is readily available about people, the economy, transportation, housing, the environ- ment, and quality of life. There is virtually no end to the types of infor- mation about these topical areas. And, the availability of these types of information differs widely depending on the ability, resource, and sophistication of jurisdictions and agencies in recording and storing such diverse collection of data. The challenge is finding the right type of available information in a timely and efficient way to aid the work of the planner, engineer, or professionals in other fields of endeavor. 74  | The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57.  I N F O R M AT I O N F RO M S E C O N DA RY S O U R C E S National agencies, state and local governments, professional organizations, private businesses, nonprofit groups, and interna- tional organizations collect and store substantial amounts of infor- mation that is directly relevant to planning. Information is often available in published form (whether in hard copy and/or electronic format) or in databases housed with public or private agencies, librar- ies, or universities. Some data are available for purchase while most are free. They are accessible via direct download or other means of data exchange (e.g., tapes, disks, or drives). Finding and using secondary sources of information can enable a planner to quickly develop relatively inexpensive background information and analy- ses on particular planning issues about the community. There are, however, certain problems with the use of secondary data. First, much of the information may have been collected for some purpose that might not meet specific needs at the local plan- ning level. Nevertheless, it is useful for planners to know the kinds of data that are available and how to apply ingenuity in their analy- sis to produce needed information on planning issues. Chapter 2 describes ways that planners can gather information first-hand when available information does not meet specific planning needs. Expansion of the sources of planning data has enabled a democ- ratization of access to this data. With a computer and a connection to the internet a private citizen can as easily gather information on a neighborhood from reliable sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, as can the experienced planning professional. The planner’s skill lies in knowing: where to go for systematically collected data; what to look for; its parameters and limitations; how to analyze it (see Chapter 4, Analytical Methods in Planning); and how to combine it with new technologies for mapping and visual presentations (see Chapter 7, Technology and Techniques, and Chapter 11, Graphic and Visual Communication) to breathe life into dry statistics and make data easier to understand and applicable to real planning problems. This chapter is designed to help planners navigate the very substan- tial amount of information that is directly relevant to local planning that is reliable and systematically collected by local and state gov- ernments, federal agencies, and professional organizations. Definition of Terms Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. Certain key terms related to secondary data and the U.S. Census are used in this chapter. Although many of these terms are in common use among professionals, it is prudent to define these keywords right from the start. Census is an official count or survey of a population, typically recording various details of individuals. A census attempts to cover all members of the population of interest. The most comprehensive source of data on people and their communities is the United States Census. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts three major counts: the Censuses of Population and Housing, the Economic Census, and the American Community Survey. Census geography is a collective term that refers to the types of geographic areas the Census Bureau uses for data collection |  75 The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57.  COR NELIUS N U WOR S O O Figure 3.1 Standard Hierarchy of Census Geographic Figure 3.2 Census Small-area Geography Entities Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2010 (1) and tabulation including their structure, designations, and relation- ships to one another. The following are noteworthy and Figure 3.1 illustrates their hierarchy. Connecting lines shows the hierarchical relationships between geographic types. For example, a line extends from states to counties because a state is comprised of many counties, and a single county can never cross a state boundary. If no line joins two geographic types, then an absolute and predictable relationship does not exist between them. For example, many places are confined to one county. However, some places extend over more than one county, such as New York City. Therefore, an absolute hierarchical relationship does not exist between counties and places, and any tabu- lation involving both these geographic types may represent only a part of one county or one place. Lines radiate from blocks, indicating that a collection of blocks (the smallest geographic unit for which the Census Bureau reports data) can describe most geographic types. However, only two of these lines also describe the path by which a block Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. is uniquely named; that is, the path through the block group or through the tribal block group. Figure 3.2 illustrates the nesting of small areas into larger geographic areas. Demography is the statistical study of human populations, especially with reference to size and density, distribution, and vital statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau and the United Nations are excellent start- ing points for demographic information. Estimate is an approximate calculation of the number of people in a population. Estimates are substitute calculations for current or previ- ous years for which censuses do not exist using accepted methods of calculation. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes annual population estimates for states, counties, metropolitan areas, and places on its 76  | The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57.  I N F O R M AT I O N F RO M S E C O N DA RY S O U R C E S website. Most states provide annual or five-year counts of population based either on actual, complete counts (censuses) or on estimates of local populations in between the decennial censuses. Projection is a forecast of the population for future dates based on the most recent decennial census and the factors of population change (birth, death, and migration rates) using the cohort-component method. The U.S. Census Bureau, state agencies, and regional plan- ning agencies produce projections of the population for future dates to aid planning and programming of resources. Summary file is a collection of tables that the U.S. Census Bureau uses to organize the content of the data. Familiarity with the gen- eral coverage of the summary file system helps in selecting options available to the user when searching for information with the online software named American FactFinder: Summary File 1 (SF 1) contains the data compiled from the ques- tions asked of all people and about every housing unit. Population items include sex, age, race, Hispanic or Latino origin, household relationship, household type, household size, family type, family size, and group quarters. Housing items include occupancy status, vacancy status, and tenure (whether a housing unit is occupied by the owner or renter). Information is available down to the block level. Summary File 2 (SF 2) also contains the data compiled from the questions asked of all people and about every housing unit. Population and housing items include details of the same topics as SF 1. Information is available for larger geographic areas of 10,000 or more population. Summary File 3 (SF 3) contains population and housing data based on questions asked on the long form of a one-in-six sam- ple of the population. It covers key socioeconomic data down to the block-group or census-tract level. Population items include marital status, disability, educational attainment, occupation, income, ancestry, veteran status, and many other characteris- tics. Housing items include tenure (whether the unit is occupied by the owner or renter), occupancy status, housing value, mort- gage status, price, and more. Summary File 4 (SF 4) contains population and housing data based on questions asked on the long form of a one-in-six sam- Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. ple of the population. It covers detailed socioeconomic data for race, Hispanic, and ancestry groups. Population and housing items include details of the same topics as SF 3. Information is available for larger geographic areas. Population Decennial Census Planning effort ultimately relates to people. Societal needs and aspi- rations emanate from people. Thus, planning and community devel- opment activities begin with information about the population. In the |  77 The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57.  COR NELIUS N U WOR S O O United States and many other countries, one agency has the man- date to collect, store, and track information about the population. The U.S. Bureau of the Census, for instance, conducts ten regular censuses plus a wide variety of other activities of value to urban planners. The most widely known of these censuses are the Census of Population and the Census of Housing, both of which occur once in ten years. Established since 1790, the decennial census is the longest-running federal data collection program in the United States. The U.S. Census collects basic population counts as well as a wide variety of housing, household, and some basic economic data, providing a “snapshot” of the U.S. population in the census year. 100% characteristics: The Decennial Census of Population collects information on gender, race, age, marital status, Hispanic origin, and household relationship about each person in the country. Because of the basic nature of this set of information, a member of a house- hold can answer for all other members. So, the Bureau targets the collection of the data on 100% of the population even if every indi- vidual does not respond to the “short form” survey, which collects this basic information. Sample characteristics: The Bureau collects additional informa- tion from a sample of individual households on education, ancestry and place of birth, migration, marital history and number of children, employment status and place of work, means of transportation to work, and income. The “long form” information, which was established in 1940, covered this more detailed data targeting about one in six people in the decennial census, but is replaced with continuous sampling for similar information under the American Community Survey. Demographic Characteristics Social Characteristics Housing Characterictics Age Marital Status and Marital Year Structure Built Sex History* Units in Structure Hispanic Origin Fertility Year Moved Into Unit Race Grandparents as Caregivers Rooms Relationship to Householder Ancestry Bedrooms (e.g., spouse) Place of Birth, Citizenship, and Kitchen Facilities Year of Entry Plumbing Facilities Economic Characteristics Language Spoken at Home House Heating Fuel Income Educational Attainment and Telephone Service Available Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. Food Stamps Benefit School Enrollment Farm Residence Labor Force Status Residence One Year Ago Industry, Occupation, and Class of Veteran Status, Period of Military Financial Characteristics Worker Service, and VA Service- Tenure (Owner/Renter) Place of Work and Journey to Connected Disability Rating* Housing Value Work Disability Rent Work Status Last Year Selected Monthly Owner Costs Vehicles Available Health Insurance Coverage* Figure 3.3 Key Subjects of the American Community Survey *Marital History, VA Service-Connected Disability Rating, and Health Insurance Coverage are new for 2008. Source: American Community Survey (2) 78  | The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57.  I N F O R M AT I O N F RO M S E C O N DA RY S O U R C E S Actual questions that are contained on the short-form or long-form questionnaires can vary slightly from census to census, requiring care in comparing data across time. For example, the 2000 census was the first that permitted people to identify themselves as multira- cial. As a result, racial data in 2000 and beyond require careful sum- mation to compare them with earlier censuses. The Census Bureau traditionally reports information from cen- suses in a wide range of publications, but nowadays, users of census data most conveniently retrieve the information from the online self- service software tool called American FactFinder. Additionally, jurisdictions can order special tabulations at cost for some infor- mation that has been collected but not published. Although somewhat expensive, special tabulations provide data to local governments at a fraction of the costs that would be incurred to collect the data locally. The American Community Survey The American Community Survey (ACS) is one component of a reengineered decennial census. ACS is designed to address the nation’s need for continuously current information on population and housing characteristics. Originally seen as a “replacement” for the long form, the ACS is a nationwide survey with the purpose to provide communities with reliable and timely demographic, social, economic, and housing data every year. The ACS produces data on (a) the demographic, social, and eco- nomic characteristics of the U.S. population and (b) the physical and financial characteristics of the nation’s housing. Figure 3.3 identi- fies key subjects of the ACS. ACS data are available in the form of both single-year and multiyear (three-year and five-year) estimates. Nearly all topics in the ACS appeared on the Census 2000 long form. And the ACS Summary Files are analogous to Summary File 3 or SF 3 from Census 2000, which traditionally included more detailed data from the long form of the decennial census. International Data At times, planners need access to international demographic data. For planners working for national and international organizations, Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. such data are essential. Sources of information on international pop- ulations include: The U.S. Census Bureau’s International Population Data Base (IDB)—the U.S. Census Bureau has been preparing estimates and projections of the populations of more than 200 foreign countries since the 1960s (3). The United Nations Demographic Yearbook—since 1948, the United Nations Statistics Division has been administering a set of questionnaires annually to over 230 national statistical offices from which the agency collects, compiles, and dis- seminates official statistics on a wide range of topics, including population (4). |  79 The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57.  COR NELIUS N U WOR S O O The Planner Finds Demographic Data Circumstance: Near-Westside is a transitional neighborhood bordering downtown Happyville. It was once a district of fine homes for the city’s elite who now live in houses with views in a hill-side suburb. The neighborhood is increasingly changing into a community of recent immigrants. Single-family homes have been converted to multiple units for rental as relatively affordable apartments. The school that was once threatened with closure is now bursting with pupils. The local park contains rusty playground equipment, a few deteriorating picnic tables, and a large baseball diamond which, once the center of neighborhood life, is now largely deserted. There is no neighborhood retail or grocery store in the area or a neighborhood plaza where residents can congregate. The issue: A developer has applied for spot rezoning within the neighborhood to allow luxury high-rise apartments on parcels assembled for redevelopment. The last meeting of the Planning Commission was jam-packed with Near-Westside residents vociferously protesting the project. They argued that luxury apartments will “squeeze out long-time residents” and wished to first review and have a say about the concept plan for revitalizing the area. Assignment: The Planning Commission tabled the developer’s application pending further studies. Terrance, Happyville’s City Planning Director, assigned this urgent study to Assistant Planner who is the staff liaison to HF Inc., a local planning firm which specializes in physical planning and is designing the con- cept plan. Planning Director exalted: “Make sure the commissioners and our consultant have facts. We do not want just pretty pictures that get the neighborhood mad.” HF Inc. is expected to conduct a site assess- ment to observe and visually document the neighborhood, but basic background information from secondary sources would no doubt reveal details and other aspects of existing, social and demographic conditions. Work Plan: Assistant Planner devises a quick strategy guide for his search: Problem: The Near-Westside neighborhood is run-down and needs to be revitalized. Approach: Collect and present information about the composition of its residents, housing, econ- omy, and services. Information: Demographic, housing, and services. Product: A needs assessment to inform a revitalization concept plan to meet neighborhood needs and city aspirations. Actions: Assistant Planner begins with a search for the latest demographic, social, and economic charac- teristics via the U.S. Census Bureau’s FactFinder website. For comparison, the planner entered the name of the city and the census tract covering the Near-Westside neighborhood, together with keywords to find available information as follows: For “demographic characteristics,” results yield tables of data on age, gender, and race. For “social characteristics,” Planner finds place of birth, citizenship, and year of entry. For “economic characteristics,” Planner finds income, beneficiaries of food stamps, labor force sta- Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. tus, and classes of workers. For “financial characteristics,” Planner finds tenure (owner vs. renter), housing value, rent and owner costs. Summary: Assistant Planner organizes the data in the form of tables and illustrative charts to show a profile of the Near-Westside neighborhood in comparison with the city. Table 3.1 shows the summary. Results confirm that residents of the Near-Westside neighborhood were relatively more disadvantaged than the entire city with lower incomes, higher poverty levels, and much lower home ownership. Demographics are different with higher proportions of youth, much higher racial diversity, and higher proportions of migrants in the neighborhood compared to the city. 80  | The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57.  I N F O R M AT I O N F RO M S E C O N DA RY S O U R C E S Conclusion: The finding that the Near-Westside neighborhood appears to be disadvantaged in terms of income compared to the city could trigger environmental justice concerns. Planning activities must not impose unfair burdens on neighborhood residents. Redevelopment strategies should address, as applicable, issues related to pollution of air, water, and soil; deficiencies in public facilities, such as parks; access to healthy food options; safe and sanitary homes; opportunities for physical activity; and expanded opportunities for public engagement and input. Table 3.1 Comparative Demographic, Social, and Economic Characteristics in Happyville Selected demographic, social, and City of Happyville Near-Westside economic characteristics neighborhood Population 44,680 5,060 Age School-age population (below age 18) 15% 25% Seniors (above age 64) 15% 5% Race White 60% 25% Non-white 40% 75% Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race) 30% 60% Immigrant status U.S. citizen by birth 65% 35% U.S. citizen by naturalization 20% 45% Non-U.S. citizen 15% 20% Income Household income above $50,000 60% 25% Household income below $50,000 40% 75% Below poverty line 8% 24% Housing tenure Owner-occupied 70% 20% Renter-occupied 30% 80% Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. |  81 The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57.  COR NELIUS N U WOR S O O The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)—is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency (5). It has data on fertility rates. The United Nations Population Information Network (POPIN)— provides a guide to population information on UN system websites including the data collection of the United Nations Statistics Division. Its website has links to a wide array of data on population, housing, urbanization, education, and health (6). The World Health Organization (WHO)—established since 1948 as a specialized agency of the United Nations. WHO’s primary concern is international public health and in leading partners for responses to global health issues (7). Vital Statistics Together with counts and surveys of the population are statistics on the factors of population change: birth, death, and migration, which are essential for population projection into the future to aid planning. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) col- lects and disseminates the nation’s official vital statistics on Public Health using standardized forms and procedures. These data are procured through contracts between NCHS and vital registration systems operated in the various jurisdictions that are legally respon- sible for the registration of vital events—births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and fetal deaths. Vital Statistics data are available online under the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) which is an inter- governmental data-sharing partnership. In the United States, legal authority for the registration of these events resides individually with the 50 states, 2 cities (Washington, D.C. and New York City), and 5 territories (Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). These jurisdictions are responsible for maintaining registries of vital events and for issuing copies of birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates. Figure 3.4 shows the interactive interface for retrieval of vital statistics. Since these data are compilations provided by local county health departments to their state agencies, these very local agencies can also be good sources. The organization and access to the data varies Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. considerably from county to county. State health departments may limit access to some data to protect the confidentiality of individuals. Birth Data The “Wonder” site of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides access to online databases of live births occurring within the United States to people residing in the U.S. Counts are available by state, county, child’s gender and weight, mother’s race, mother’s age, mother’s education, gestation period, prenatal care, birth plurality, and mother’s medical and tobacco use risk factors. The data are derived from birth certificates (8). 82  | The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57.  I N F O R M AT I O N F RO M S E C O N DA RY S O U R C E S Figure 3.4 Vital Statistics Retrieval Interface at CDC Wonder Website Death Data The death database contains mortality and population counts for all U.S. counties based on death certificates of people residing in the U.S. Each death certificate identifies a single underlying cause of death and demographic data. The number of deaths, crude death rates or age-adjusted death rates, and 95% confidence intervals and standard errors for death rates are available by place of residence (total U.S., region, state, and county), age group (single-year-of age, five-year age groups, ten-year age groups, and infant age groups), race, Hispanic ethnicity, gender, year, cause of death (4-digit ICD-10 code or group of codes), injury intent and injury mechanism, drug/alcohol induced Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. causes, and urbanization categories. Data are also available for place of death, month and weekday of death, and whether an autopsy was performed (9). Migration Data Migration, also termed geographic mobility, refers to the relocation of people from one area to another. Some movements are inter- nal to the nation while others occur across the nation’s borders and are labeled international migration. The U.S. Census Bureau has access to information on the various types of movement from |  83 The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57.  Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Cumulative Estimates of the Components of Population Change Annual Estimates of the Components of Population Change April 1, 2010 to July 1,2017 July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017 Geography Total Natural Vital Events Net Migration Total Natural Vital Events Net Migration Population Increase Population Increase Births Deaths Total International Domestic Births Deaths Total International Domestic Change Change “Happyville 152,929 70,277 140,614 70,337 82,838 84,420 -1,582 9,954 8,697 19,483 10,786 1,286 13,016 -11,730 County” Figure 3.5 Sample of Happyville Migration Data Source: Retrieved from American FactFinder The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, Note: The hypothetical name “Happyville County” has been substituted.  I N F O R M AT I O N F RO M S E C O N DA RY S O U R C E S which it compiles internal, international, and total migration data for the nation, the states, and counties. Migration data and esti- mates are available online in table “PEPTCOMP” (Estimates of the Components of Population Change) under American FactFinder (10). Figure 3.5 shows a sample of county-level migration data. Housing The multiple sources of housing data reflect the importance of shel- ter to the population. Key sources of housing information in the United States include the Decennial Census, the American Housing Survey, and the American Community Survey. The Decennial Census of Housing 100% characteristics: The Decennial Census of Housing is con- ducted simultaneously with the Census of Population and collects information from every household on the number of dwelling units present, the number of rooms present in each dwelling unit, the condition of plumbing facilities, and a variety of data on ownership, rental status, and value of the dwelling unit. Sample characteristics: The Census Bureau asks a sample of households additional questions, providing information about their buildings such as number of stories, sources of water, sewage dis- posal, methods of heating and cooking, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, presence of telephones and air conditioning, number of automotive vehicles present, and total shelter costs, including mortgages, taxes, and insurance. The American Housing Survey In addition to the Decennial Censuses of Population and Housing, the Census Bureau’s American Housing Survey (AHS) offers a major source of information on housing characteristics. The AHS provides an inventory of homes and new construction in the United States, along with data on homeowners and the physical condition of houses. Begun in 1973 as the Annual Housing Survey, the AHS is a joint program of the Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The first survey was the product of two years of planning and testing, which sampled over 50,000 occu- Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. pied and unoccupied homes. In 1981, the Census Bureau began con- ducting the Annual Housing Survey every other year and changed the name to the American Housing Survey in 1984. Enumerators record the physical conditions of each housing unit and ask addi- tional questions when homeowners are present. Today, the national sample for AHS covers about 55,000 homes. Special samples for major metropolitan areas cover between 4,000 and 5,000 homes (11). The survey includes traditional census variables (such as the year the unit was built), tenure (whether the unit is occupied by owner or renter), vacancy and equipment. However, it adds information about the building height and condition, building and lot size, neighbor- hood quality, and why residents moved there. |  85 The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57.  COR NELIUS N U WOR S O O The Planner Finds Housing Data Assistant Planner is puzzling over finding additional data and facts to reveal aspects of housing in the Near- Westside neighborhood. The Planning Commission has received a flood of emails from residents protesting the proposal to build luxury apartments in the neighborhood. The location for these is the area the city strategic plan identifies for use as a neighborhood park or public plaza. Residents fear being displaced by gentrification, rent and property tax increases, and an influx of dual income young professionals. They anticipate the demise of neighborhood commercial/retail which they use for everyday needs, and their replacement with higher end, expensive services they cannot afford. The Near-Westside, they claim, is one of the last city neighborhoods where rental and ownership housing is still affordable to those defined by city income categories as “work- force.” Some point out that the City Housing Element has earmarked sites near the proposed luxury units for multifamily affordable housing. What will happen to those badly needed project sites they ask? Assistant Planner seeks reliable information to clarify existing housing conditions in the neighborhood; project potential changes; and the strategies the city can promote to be in congruence with the city General Plan. Complicating the issue is the fact that the mayor wants a quick resolution before the loom- ing start of re-election campaigns for mayor and two City Council seats. Being rather well versed in secondary sources of information Assistant Planner continues the search on American FactFinder and searches the keywords: “housing characteristics” to obtain such details as year structure built, number of units in structure, number of rooms, and monthly housing cost. Summary: Assistant Planner organizes the data in the form of tables and illustrative charts to compare hous- ing characteristics in the Near-Westside neighborhood with the city. Table 3.2 shows the summary. Results indicate the following about housing in the Near-Westside neighborhood: disproportionately higher number of older buildings disproportionately higher number of multiple units preponderance of smaller size units predominantly low- and mid-cost housing. Conclusion: The findings support the fears of residents of the Near-Westside neighborhood about poten- tial gentrification and increased housing costs because of higher property values stemming from the Table 3.2 Comparative Housing Characteristics in Happyville Selected housing characteristics City of Happyville Near-Westside neighborhood Occupied housing units 13,530 1,550 Units in structure Single unit 80% 50% Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. Multiple units 20% 50% Age of structure Less than 30 years 40% 25% More than 30 years 60% 75% Number of bedrooms 1 bedroom 5% 10% 2 or 3 bedrooms 45% 80% 4 or more bedrooms 50% 10% Monthly housing cost Low range 25% 40% Mid-range 30% 45% High range 45% 15% 86  | The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57.  I N F O R M AT I O N F RO M S E C O N DA RY S O U R C E S influx of luxury apartments. This would call for deliberate actions to preserve the existing stock of afford- able units and inclusion of new affordable units in the revitalization efforts. Action: Assistant Planner compiles the good information he has found, illustrates it with easy to under- stand graphs and charts, into a short four-page report. He sends the report to Planning Director who sends it to the mayor who directs that it be passed on to HF Inc. consultants to incorporate into their Concept Plan designs for the Near-Westside. The American Community Survey The American Community Survey, available through American FactFinder, documents housing units and tenure between the decen- nial censuses for small geographic areas. The Census Bureau tracks new residential building permits by county, as well as the value of new construction and household repairs at larger geographic levels in its Construction Reports series. HUD provides maps on the inter- net that display public housing projects, community development projects, hazardous waste sites, brown fields, incentive areas, cen- sus tracts, and recreational areas. The maps are searchable by state, zip code, and street address. Economy Economic Census In addition to the residence-based employment data available from the Decennial Censuses of Population and Housing, planners can find workplace-based employment data from the Census Bureau’s Economic Census. The Economic Census presents a detailed portrait of the nation’s economy from the national to the local level every five years. Reports from this census are available industry by industry and area by area; and cover nearly all sectors of the U.S. economy. Economic sectors are classified into like groups. In 1997, the Census Bureau replaced the Standard Industrial Classification with the North American Industry Classification System. Although the Census Bureau published bridge tables between the two systems at a national level, it is difficult to create a time series incorporating both systems at the Copyright © 2019. Taylor & Francis Group. All rights reserved. local level. Data are available through American FactFinder and sepa- rately in PDF reports on the Census Bureau’s website. The Census Bureau also publishes more current data than the five- year census data on establishments and employment by detailed industry for the nation, states, counties, metropolitan areas, and larger cities in its annual report, County Business Patterns. The Census Bureau’s County and City Data Book contains economic data for counties and cities along with population data. Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) The LEHD website of the U.S. Census provides a suite of analysis and mapping tools for ready access to time series data from its many |  87 The Planner's Use of Information, edited by Hemalata C. Dandekar, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/fau/detail.action?docID=5916583. Created from fau on 2024-09-09 00:07:57.  COR NELIUS N U WOR S O O censuses and surveys (12). Some of the tools enable retrieval of about ten years of data and include: Job-to-Job Flows Explorer (J2J Explorer) is a web-based anal- ysis tool to enable comprehensive access to a set of statistics on worker reallocation in the United States. Quarterly Workforce Indicators Explorer (QWI Explorer) is a web-based analysis tool to enable comprehensive access to the full depth and breadth of the Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI) dataset. OnTheMap is an online mapping and reporting application that shows where workers are employed and where they live. Users can generate companion reports on worker characteris- tics filtered by age, earnings, or industry groups. OnTheMap for Emergency Management is a public data tool to provide an intuitive web-based interface to access U.S. pop- ulation and workforce statistics, in real time, for areas being affected by such natural disasters as hurricanes, floods, wild- fires, winter storms, and federal disaster declaration areas. LED Extraction Tool provides access to the raw data produced through the Local Employment Dynamics (LED) Partnership. The early release of this tool makes the entire Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI) dataset available through a query- building interface. Other Sources of Economic Information The federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics is a good source for current and historic information on the American employment scene. Since 1992, its Local Area Unemployment Statistics allow users to extract monthly employment and unemployment data for states, metropolitan areas, and cities of over 25,000 population. Salary data by detailed industry are accessible through its State and County Employment and Wages, while wages by detailed occupation are listed for states and metropolitan areas in Wages by Area and Occupation. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, which produces the regional economic