Potential sites determined through an iterative, creative process aided by tool feedback.
Affordable Housing Site Methodology
OVERVIEW
Spring 2019, group project
This tool was created as part of a school project for the non-profit collective LA ROSAH (Los Angeles Regional Open Space and Affordable Housing). Our task was to create a tool that provides iterative feedback throughout the site selection and design processes in order to select sites for joint affordable housing and open space development. The project aims to combat the green gentrification catalyzed by large infrastructure projects.
PERSONAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Created complex GIS analysis tool to provide iterative feedback
Helped generate layers for tool input
Developed workflow, process, and timeline for project
Managed team contributions to ensure that work was completed
Designed site plan for Sun Valley affordable housing network
A GEODESIGN METHODOLOGY
The tool’s methodology centers around the nexus of design and data to inform decision making. Based on stakeholder input, literature reviews, precedent research, and and geographic analysis, this multi-step methodology integrates data-based feedback into the design process. This feedback informs site selection at the regional scale and design decisions at the local scale.
Drawing from a geodesign framework, our approach recognizes that design and data are not mutually exclusive; data must be used throughout the design process to address challenges for which there is no “correct” answer.
Gentrification Risk
Greenspace Availability
Fault Lines
Health and Social Services
TOOL CREATION
The analysis tool is designed to provide feedback on potential sites at the local and regional scale that can be used to inform site selection and maximize the positive impact of interventions. At the regional scale the tool generated scores for the following categories:
Access
•Distance to and density of health and social services
•Distance to and density of grocery stores
•Distance to transit stops
Gentrification
•% change in demographics (median household income, non-hispanic white, bachelors degree)
•Proposed transit infrastructure
•Major proposed projects (EIRs filed)
Greenscore
•NDVI (Existing green cover)
Hazards
•Liquefaction zones
•Fault lines
•Fire potential
Each of these data layers was standardized into a scale of 0-1, and the tool calculated and aggregated average scores for each potential site. Grace was responsible for creating, testing, troubleshooting, and running the tool.
Top: Analysis tool in ArcPro Model Builder. The tool has 39 steps. Bottom: Example tool output
Sun Valley context
Sun Valley site design
SUN VALLEY SITE DESIGN
The Sun Valley design concept maximized upon available open space by creating a walkable circuit that connects affordable housing sites through a safe, green, and cool environment. The design protects vulnerable communities through urban foresting that combats the urban heat island effect. Design interventions connect schools and elderly populations through a circuit of green walkways, a stormwater stream revitalization, pocket parks, and green buffers along major arterials.
Challenges and Opportunities
•Highly susceptible to urban heat island effect
•Schools, churches, and retirement homes located on unwalkable streets
•Abundant vacant land
•Stormwater drainage channel
•Easily accessible bus stops
•Poor interface between residential and commercial land
Sun Valley Toolbox
•Urban foresting and cooling
•Revitalized stormwater creek
•Connecting community centers
•Shaded pathways
•Accessibility and walkability
Proposed affordable housing layout