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Abstract:
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Throughout history there have been many perspectives on the approach to planning cities, with a notable clash between dense, organically- formed urban spaces and suburban space planned around the automobile. When suburban design principles (wide streets, parking) have been imposed within the city, there have been unique effects (mostly believed to be negative) on urban life. Urban data analysis has been recently improved through publicly available high resolution data. The goal of our research is to empirically support and to question many urban design principles of the past half-century. Our methodology involves the analysis of local neighborhood features, including crime, land use, zoning, business revenue, MLS comparative sales, walkability, and population demographics. Philadelphia is an interesting case study for this work, with its rapid urban development in the last decade, after a long period of middle class flight and suburbanization. Our secondary goal is to inform public and private decisions in development, and create awareness for smart development by city residents and investors.
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