Sprawl and Transportation Outcomes in Chicago: A Sprawl Index for Municipal Subsections

摘要

The city of Chicago is defined by its geographic and socioeconomic division along the Chicago River. Median incomes, home prices, foreclosure rates, and education levels differ significantly between the north and south sides of the city. While there has been extensive research on the sociological and economic character of the city, there has been limited research on the unique transportation costs experienced by south side residents and specific communities in the south side of the city. A sprawl index provides a means for relating the built environment and transportation costs for Chicago residents. A sprawl index for neighborhoods may help to identify the neighborhood effects of transportation policy outcomes such as vehicle miles traveled and demand for public transit. This study uses the methodology for generating a sprawl index for Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) developed by Reid Ewing and begins the process of applying it to municipal subsections covering geographies smaller than the MSA.