Project 1 – Course Hub: GeoVisMaps

For my map project I would like to assist the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement and work with their City of Richmond poverty maps. After getting in contact with Olivia Mobayed, I looked through a large number of their maps in order to pick a map to help recreate. I have found a map titled “Black Population and Richmond Poverty Rate, 2014”. I chose this map specifically because I am interested in how race interacts with overall poverty in Richmond. Furthermore, the dots that represent the black population who are in poverty are red and are layered on top of a map that uses shades of red to show the levels of poverty in the different regions of Richmond. This map is difficult to read due to the similarity of the colors representing different data that is overlaid on top of each other. I am hoping to create a new map with this data to display the data in a more revealing manner.

Shaquille Christmas says:

February 18, 2016 at 11:02 am

Great project idea! I would also suggest that you avoid the color red as well in your project.

Kimberley Browne says:

February 23, 2016 at 11:20 am

Hi David,

One thing I’d like you to consider is using a graduate point symbol (instead of an area fill) – this way areas of different size are more easily compared. If you look at the map in the hallway of INTC 3rd floor near the elevator you will see two things: area fills and very small classes – in fact the poverty rate above 10% fills the entire map. Just something to think about.

Best,

Prof Browne