Transparency Infographic: Does Commuting By Car Make You Fat?
GOOD/Transparency provides a graphical exploration of the data that surrounds us. This infographic depicts a “map” charting walking, biking, driving, and use of public transportation correlated with state obesity rate data (data sources: Trust for America’s Health; U.S. Census. Via Streetsblog).
It’s a simple equation: Exercise more and lose weight. Still, many people spend most of their time either behind a desk or driving to or from where that desk is located. A few states buck that trend with large cities that allow for more walking, biking, and commuting via public transportation, but are their citizens any more fit? This is a look at how people get to work in various states, alongside those states’ obesity rates.
SOURCE Transparency: Does Commuting By Car Make You Fat? – Transparency – GOOD.
A collaboration between GOOD and Hyperakt.
Where High-Speed Rail Works Best
Geography is about examining spatial variables and relationships, often to weed out answers to complex problems. America 2050‘s latest report, “Where High Speed Rail Works Best” (pdf) is a clear example of applied geography as it summaries the methodology used in planning a phased high speed rail network for the United States. Defining the corridors in America that are most appropriate for high-speed rail service is critical to the long-term success of America’s high-speed rail program. This paper offers one mechanism for assessing which potential high-speed rail corridors will have the greatest ridership demand based on population size, economic activity, transit connections, existing travel markets and urban spatial form and density.
The authors evaluate 27,000 city pairs in the nation to create an index of city pairs with the greatest demand for high-speed rail service. The paper provides a list of the top 50 city pairs, which are primarily concentrated in the Northeast, California, and the Midwest, and provides recommendations for phasing corridor development in the nation’s megaregions.
An interactive web-map provides a quick view to the three-phase plan.
Kotkin on America in 2050
On May 18, 2010, geographer Joel Kotkin was interviewed on the Charlie Rose Show, discussing his new book The Next Hundred Million: America in 2050 (The Penguin Press). This book envisions what America will look like 40 years from now when America grows in population from 300-million to 400-million.
Written from a geographer’s perspective (Charlie Rose’ first question is, “What does a geographer do?”), Kotkin takes an optimistic look forward based on the strengths of the American ideal and practical nature of the “millennials” (the generation born between 1983-2003, larger than the baby-boomers). Regarding trouble-spots, Kotkin stated that issues surrounding class (e.g., a growing gap between income and education levels) will be our most prominent challenges in the coming decade. Particularly Kotkin notes, we’re doing a bad job of preparing the 50-70% of kids who don’t go to college for skilled professions (i.e., vocational training) that produce good paying jobs on which you can raise a family. Kotkin asserts, “Basically we’re telling our kids, you either become a lawyer or a brain surgeon, you work at Target, or you deal drugs.” His book takes the perspective that there are other paths for us to focus on to narrow that gap and increase productivity. His overall perspective is positive and speaks of optimism and faith.
Joel Kotkin is a scholar on urban development, currently a fellow at Chapman University in Orange, CA and the Legatum Institute, a London-based think-tank. A highly respected speaker and futurist, he consults for many leading economic development organizations, private companies, regions and cities. (thanks to S. Frost for this link)
A Future Love Story
The e-book “Emotional Cartography” was recently mentioned on CartoTalk under interesting links. I thought it worth a quick glance, and got immediately drawn in by this short-story…
A Future Love Story, by Marcel van der Drift
Five stars. A perfect short-story for anyone interested in geo-locational/GPS/futurist technology, or just a fun read. I’m looking forward to reading some more.
Portfolio
Selected Projects
IndianaMap Return on Investment Study
Role: Project conceptualization, funding, research and analysis, presentation development. Click here to download the complete report.
“… Perhaps the best marketing for 1) coordination, 2) public domain information, and 3) GIS/mapping in general I’ve seen anywhere. In no small part because people actually read them.”
Steve Aichele, USGS Geospatial Liaison to Michigan
“It was one of the most interesting and informative final reports I have seen.”
Gita Urban-Mathieux, Federal Geographic Data Committee
National GIS Inventory Tool
The Ramona GIS Inventory is produced by the National States’ Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) as a tool for states and their partners. Its primary purpose is to track the status of GIS in US state and local government to aid the planning and building of Spatial Data Infrastructures. Ramona is designed to work in concert with Geospatial One Stop (www.geodata.gov).
Role: Project conceptualization, needs assessment, technical project management, training, documentation (in cooperation with BurGIS, LLC and Runskip, LLC).
“When emergencies strike, I go to the GIS Inventory first to find other GIS experts in the area of the event. It helps me connect with them to perform my support role for state and local government.”
Christina McCullough, Geospatial Analyst, B.A., Joint Forces Headquarters of Indiana
“This increased the opportunity to have the imagery products be in line with existing county products.”
Chris Kannan, former USGS NSDI Liaison for North Carolina
IndianaMap Statewide Orthophotography Project
In 2005, Indiana completed a first of its kind high-resolution statewide single-season aerial photography project to support Indiana’s most pressing homeland security, economic development, and environmental issues. The public domain imagery is available at www.indianamap.org and on GoogleMaps.
Role: Project coordination, requirements definition, development of funding partners, overall project management (in cooperation with multiple collaborating partners).
Huck Finn Project
Youth groups across Indiana were invited to participate in the Huck Finn Project by producing large outdoor works of art to be captured by the IndianaMap orthophotography. In the process, kids tracked the planes and learned about geography, geospatial technology, scale and resolution, and more. Lesson plans were developed by the Indiana Geographic Educators’ Network, and GPS units were provided to participating youth groups.
Role: Project conceptulization, web site development, content, coordination.
GIS Issue Briefing
A series of subject area issue briefs authored by project steering committee members and other contributors who have been engaged to support the Information for Indiana project work through activities such as conducting case studies and assisting in pilot project initiation and implementation.
Role: Author.
