This project explored the links between housing rate increases and demographic transitions. The goal of this project was to pinpoint exactly where home prices have increased the most in Los Angeles County and exploring the factors that contributed to these increases.
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How do you know when you’re in a tough neighborhood? That question prompted a short field investigation, and later a GIS project that eventually found its way into a piece of federal legislation. Steve Graves, a geography professor at California State University, Northridge suspected that payday lenders, companies that offer high cost, short-term loans, tended to cluster in impoverished and minority neighborhoods.
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This work highlights research on public space in southern California. Focusing on the Santa Monica Pier, Dr. Davidson explored the success of the pier as an inclusive public space as well as a space for entertainment and “nature”.
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Professors Ron Davidson and Ed Jackiewicz are currently collaborating on a project that aims to make public space, including parks, more abundant, user-friendly, culturally relevant, and ultimately, a more integral part of life in the San Fernando Valley and Greater Los Angeles area. Their research involves: assessing park attributes with relation to the surrounding community, including resources and equipment available to park users; challenging ideas about malls as de facto public spaces; and surveying city residents (nearly 1000 have already been completed) as to their behaviors and preferences.
They currently work with a team of students funded by University and College grants. The project is making great strides toward learning more about the role of parks and public space in our area. The next phase will involve recommendations for existing public spaces in order to transform the way citizens and policy makers view these spaces.
