Housing Assessment using Geographic Information Systems (GIS):  A Case Study of Community Engagement from Grand Rapids, Michigan

Kin M Ma; Andrea Hendrick; Judith Anne Transue

Housing Assessment using Geographic Information Systems (GIS): A Case Study of Community Engagement from Grand Rapids, Michigan

Authors

Kin M Ma Grand Valley State University
Andrea Hendrick AmplifyGR
Judith Anne Transue Trinity Village Non Profit Housing Corporation

Keywords:

University-Community Collaboration, neighborhood development, technical assistance

Abstract

After the 2008 housing loan crisis, many houses were foreclosed/abandoned in Michigan, and specifically Grand Rapids(GR). Our study provides a collaborative and scalable model for collecting parcel-level housing data, in a southeast GR neighborhood within 15 U.S. Census blocks.Â Grand Valley State University Geography faculty and students, partnered with the Seeds of Promise organization/residents by using GIS/sidewalk visual observation to assess housing vacancy and evaluation of physical conditions to better understand the current housing conditions.

Author Biographies

Kin M Ma, Grand Valley State University

Ma is an Assistant Professor in the Geography & Sustainable Planning Department, and the Campus GIS Coordinator, Grand Valley State University. His research interests is in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing, Orchard Agriculture, and the use of GIS for Community Engagement. He earned his Ph.D. in Geography from Michigan State University.

Andrea Hendrick, AmplifyGR

Hendrick is the Information Coordinator for AmplifyGR. Her interest is in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications in Urban Planning. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Geography & Sustainable Planning at Grand Valley State University.

Judith Anne Transue, Trinity Village Non Profit Housing Corporation

Transue is an Adjunct Professor in the Geography Â & Sustainable Planning Department, Grand Valley State University, and the Executive Director, Trinity Village Non Profit Housing Corporation, Muskegon, MI, which is active in the development of over 500 units of affordable housing. Transue earned her Masters in Urban Planning, MURP (2000) from Michigan State University.

Downloads

FULL TEXT

Additional Files

Published

12/31/2018

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 3 (2018)

Section

Insights, Case Studies, and Applications

License

The Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education (JCEHE) requires authors to transfer copyright to the JCEHE at the time of submission.

If the JCEHE decides not to publish a submission, then copyright is transferred back to the author at the time the submission is declined.

After publication, if an author would like to reprint portions of the article (generally up to 25%), then the author should contact the JCEHE's Editor, Catherine Paterson, to request permission.