A Case Study of Social Vulnerability Mapping: Issues of Scale and Aggregation - Softcover

Burns, Gabriel R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3838385349 ISBN 13: 9783838385341

Publisher: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, 2010

Synopsis

This study uses GIS to determine if the aggregation of census block data are better than census block group data for analyzing social vulnerability. This was done by applying a social vulnerability method that used census block group data for a countywide analysis and converting it to use census blocks for a countywide analysis and a municipal-wide analysis to determine which level of aggregation provided a more precise representation of social vulnerability. In addition to calculating the social vulnerability, the results were overlaid with an evacuation zone for the threat of a train derailment, determining which aggregation better depicted at-risk populations. The results of the study showed that the census blocks enable a more exact measurement of social vulnerability because they are better at capturing small pockets of high-risk areas. This study concludes that census block are more advantageous than census block groups because they are more sensitive and geographically exact in measuring social vulnerability, allow for a better interpretation of social vulnerability for smaller areas, and show spatial patterns of vulnerability at a finer spatial scale.

About this title

About the Author

Received his Bachelors of Science in Geography from Texas A&M University in 2003 and his Masters of Science in Geography from Texas A&M University in 2007. His masters thesis was approved by committee members, Dr. Robert S. Bednarz, Dr. Andrew G. Klein, and Dr. Carla S. Prater.

Edition details

• Publisher: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 3838385349
• ISBN 13: 9783838385341
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 56