Equity Analysis of Capital Improvement Plans Using GIS: Des Moines Urbanized Area

Abstract

The Civil Rights Act of 1964, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Fair Housing Act, Affirmative Action programs, and more recently, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act and Executive Order 12898 have all attempted to combat discrimination. However, planning decisions continue to directly and indirectly discriminate against certain groups of citizens in urban areas throughout the United States. An example of such discriminatory practices can be seen in the patterns of urban services delivery and capital investment in our communities. A spatial analysis of capital improvement plans using geographic information system technology for the Des Moines, Iowa, urbanized area is presented as a feasible method by which urban analysts can address equity issues.