GIS - Assignment 6
Stephen Pantalone
Description
The purpose of this project is to answer two questions; where are the existing green spaces in the
Boston Metropolitan area and where are potential areas to expand green space. Existing green
spaces will be identified using both rastor data from the landcover and canopy layers as well as
the Boston shape file for open space. The landcover layer will be less accurate (than the open
space layer) but will describe a wider range of spaces. I am hoping to compile statistics on the
existing green space and perhaps compare by neighborhoods or to other surrounding towns.
The question of potential sites for green space will be answered through the landcover, canopy,
land use layers, and perhaps through parcel data. Depending on the result, other factors such as
surface permeability, parcel data or transportation lines may also be used.
I still may attempt to identify trends in demographics and proximity to the green space.
However this will not be the main purpose of my final assignment.
Annotated References

Data and Methods Comparing Social Structure and Vegetation Structure of Urban
Neighborhoods in Baltimore, Maryland – This article studies the relationship between
vegetation and social structure in urban areas and whether vegetation management
changes between different neighborhoods and communities. The researchers used
demographic census block data (through Claritas database) and parcel data. They also
high level digital aerial imagery to identify vegetation data. The ran statistical tests to
identify associations between the data. In my project I will look at demographic
information but will not be attempting to prove an associations between green space
and vegetation. However, this study provides useful maps and a detailed description
of how they identified and mapped vegetation

A method for locating potential tree-planting sites in urban areas: A case study of Los
Angeles, USA – The purpose of this study was to establish a method to identify
potential sites for trees in urban Los Angeles. The researchers established the
following criteria; land cover, sufficient distance from impervious surfaces, a
minimum amount of pervious surface, and no crown overlap with other trees. This
study also used land cover (through digital aerial imagery) and parcel data. The study
then identified additional criteria to determine how many trees could be planted per
street. These requirements depended on space, soil and permeability.

Urban land resources and urban planting Ð case studies from Denmark – This study
examined the potential for more green spaces in towns with between 10k-40k people
as part of more sustainable management and planning. GIS was used for aerial
photography to determine landcover and vegetation. The paper also studied the
demographics as well as the housing inventory.

Biotope patterns in urban areas: a conceptual model integrating biodiversity issues in
spatial planning – This research focuses on spatial biodiversity in the context of urban
planning. The authors studied Stockholm, Sweden and used a model based on 1)
information sources 2) biotypes 3) presentation strategies. The authors used infrared
images and aerial photos in GIS and merged it with biodiversity and landscape
information. The researchers asked four main questions 1) What are the spatial units
2) Where are the ecosystems especially sensitive to changes in land use 3) Why is this
4) how can the data be used for planning.
Describe the methods you think you will use
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
Reduce dataframe to Boston Metropolitan area
Identify land cover, permeable surfaces and canopy cover
Calculate percentages of canopy cover for the Boston area
Calculate percentages of barren land and other areas that may be suitable for
development from the land cover data set
Create points Polygons to points layer for canopy cover
Identify vacant parcels in Boston (through parcel building/land values). Look at
permeability of these sites.
Look for connections between existing green space and potential green space
Compare demographic information with green spaces (maybe)
Data Layers
Data Layer
Access
Source
Accuracy
Boston Parcels
Yes
M:City/Boston/Assessor
Since this data is from the city it will be
very accurate
Open spaces
Yes
M:City/Boston
Since this data is from the city it will be very
accurate
Land Use
Yes
M:State/MassGIS/PhyRes
I am unsure of how important this layer is to
my maps but it should probably be within 3050ft.
Planning Districts
Yes
M:City/Boston/BRA
Since this data is from the city it will be very
accurate
Land Cover
Yes
M:Country/USA
This layer will be very inaccurate on a parcel
level but should accurate enough on a
metropolitan level in most cases.
Data Layer
Access
Source
Accuracy
Canopy Cover
Yes
M:/Country/USA
This layer will be very inaccurate on a parcel
level but should accurate enough on a
metropolitan level in most cases.
Pervious Surface
Yes
M:Country/USA
This layer will be very inaccurate on a parcel
level but should accurate enough on a
metropolitan level in most cases.
Median Income levels Yes
M:State/MassGIS/Census_2
000
These will be dbf. files
Poverty levels
Yes
M:State/MassGIS/Census_2
000
These will be dbf. files
Roads
Yes
M:State/Mass/Infrastructure As we have seen in previous exercises this
layer is generally within 10 meters.
References
Grove, J. Morgan, Cadenasso, Mary L., Burch Jr., William R., Pickett, Steward T., Schwarz,
Kirsten, O'Neil-Dunne, Jarlath, Wilson, Matthew; Troy, Austin, Boone, Christopher. (2006)
'Data and Methods Comparing Social Structure and Vegetation Structure of Urban
Neighborhoods in Baltimore, Maryland, Society & Natural Resources, 19: 2, 117 — 136.
Wua, Chunxia, Xiaoa, Qingfu, McPhersonb, Gregory E. A method for locating potential treeplanting sites in urban areas: A case study of Los Angeles, USA, Urban Forestry & Urban
Greening 7 (2008) 65–76.
Attwell, Karen. Urban land resources and urban planting Ð case studies from Denmark,
Landscape and Urban Planning 52 (2000) 145±163.
Lo¨fvenhafta, Katarina, Bjo¨rnb, Cristina, Ihsea, Margareta. Biotope patterns in urban areas: a
conceptual model integrating biodiversity issues in spatial planning. Stockholm Landscape and
Urban Planning 58 (2002) 223–240.