Mapping congressional districts functions at a dynamic intersection of geography, politics, and community. Can technology, as with so many other issues at this intersection, improve the current system?
"Brian Olson is a software engineer in Massachusetts who wrote a program to draw 'optimally compact' equal-population congressional districts in each state, based on 2010 census data. Olson's algorithm draws districts that respect the boundaries of census blocks, which are the smallest geographic units used by the Census Bureau. This ensures that the district boundaries reflect actual neighborhoods."
The article shares a few examples of the difference between Olson's "optimally compact" districts and the gerrymandered reality of congressional districts.
An interesting question raised by speculating on a new system for districting, is the question of "communities of interest": "As Jonathan Bernstein wrote last year, a community of interest could be defined based on rural/urban divides, shared cultural background, economic interest, ethnic background, demographic similarity, political boundaries, geographic boundaries and on and on." In other words, "You can define a 'community of interest' pretty much however you want," which introduces the kind legalistic arguments that can enable, you know, gerrymandering.
FULL STORY: This computer programmer solved gerrymandering in his spare time
Cities Lost Political Power in that 'Other' Supreme Court Ruling Last Month
On June 27, the Supreme Court didn't just rule on the Census Bureau's citizenship question. It also decided that it wasn't their business to consider how congressional districts are drawn, which will likely reduce the influence of cities.
Friday Funny: A Font Made From the Maps of Congressional Districts
Meet the Ugly Gerry font.
Study: Older States Tend to Have Worse Finances
A report suggests that the older a state is, the more likely it is that special interests have entrenched themselves, negatively impacting the public purse.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
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Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
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HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
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