Evaluation of GIS and remote sensing in studying the living quality of neighborhoods in Muncie, Indiana

Keywords: Living quality, Neighborhoods, Network Analysis, Home insulation
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

The goal of this study is to evaluate the use of geospatial techniques of GIS and remote sensing in studying the living quality at neighborhood level in Muncie, Indiana. To do this, three Muncie neighborhoods: Riverside, Anthony, and Westside have been selected to map the living quality. Four general categories of living quality indicators were evaluated for each house in the neighborhoods and maps of each indicator were created, including map for Home Insulation, maps for Home Value and Lot Size, map for Lot Greenness, and maps for Proximity to Community Amenities such as Clinics, Schools, Libraries, Fire Stations, USPS Mailboxes, Bus Stops, Parks, Bike Trails, Recreations, Restaurants, and Places of Worship. Each map is scaled to 1 to 5 categories, with 1 being the lowest living quality and 5 being the highest. The Network Analysis, weighted overlay, and thermal infrared photography, were used to create the indicator maps and a final overall living quality index map. The results are disseminated in Esri story maps, which showed that the majority of the houses in the neighborhoods have an average living quality in the category 3 with few ranked in 2 and 4.