URL: http://mappingdecline.lib.uiowa.edu/
Institution: University of Iowa
Category: Digital Humanities Projects
Description
“Mapping Decline: St. Louis” is an innovative digital history project that uses interactive historical maps to examine urban decay, demographic shifts, and socioeconomic changes in St. Louis over several decades. The project combines GIS technology with historical research to visualize the complex processes of urban transformation.
Key Features
- Time-Series Mapping: Interactive maps showing changes over time
- Multi-Layered Data: Population, housing, economic, and infrastructure data
- Historical Context: Contextual information about policy and social changes
- Interactive Interface: User-driven exploration of different time periods
- Comparative Analysis: Tools for comparing different areas and time periods
Data Sources
- Census Records: Demographic and housing data across decades
- City Records: Municipal data on services and infrastructure
- Historical Photographs: Visual documentation of neighborhood changes
- Policy Documents: Information about urban planning and policy decisions
Research Themes
- White Flight: Suburban migration patterns and urban abandonment
- Economic Disinvestment: Decline of industry and commerce
- Housing Deterioration: Physical decay of residential areas
- Demographic Shifts: Changes in racial and ethnic composition
- Policy Impact: Effects of urban renewal and planning decisions
Methodological Innovation
- Digital Humanities Approach: Combines traditional historical research with digital mapping
- Spatial Analysis: Geographic information systems for historical research
- Temporal Visualization: Dynamic representation of historical change
- Multi-Scale Analysis: From neighborhood to city-wide perspectives
Significance
- Provides evidence-based analysis of urban decline processes
- Demonstrates potential of digital tools for historical research
- Supports policy discussions about urban revitalization
- Serves as model for similar studies in other cities
Target Audience
- Urban historians and geographers
- Policy makers and urban planners
- Community organizations and activists
- Students of American urban history