By assessing three different groups of indicators, researchers were able to tour thousands of blocks in Chicago through Google Street View and compare visual signs of reinvestment and renewal between 2007 and 2009.
As reported by Alissa Walker at Gizmodo, a new study by Jackelyn Hwang and Robert J. Sampson published in the American Sociology Review followed the movement of middle and upper-middle-class residents within Chicago's various neighborhoods. However, instead of looking at migratory patterns via Census records, Hwang and Sampson were able to, "isolate three different groups of indicators found on Google Street View images—structural mix, beautification, and lack of disorder and decay—to rank each block" for reinvestment and renewal.
Besides ranking assessed from indicators based on the properties, the study also factors in other forms of investment or disinvestment. For example, "speed bumps and bike lanes are proof of public investment and therefore boosted the block's rating. The presence of trash and graffiti... resulted in a lower score."
Some of the results found when cross-referencing the study's predictors with actual city data help to quantify the spread of gentrification. As Walker notes,
"while [Hwang and Sampson] could clearly see which blocks had showed early signs of gentrification, the process was only likely to continue if at least 35 percent of the residents were white. Even if some gentrification signs were present in neighborhoods that were 40 percent or more black, the process slowed down or eventually stopped."
FULL STORY: Even Scientists Are Using Google Street View to Measure Gentrification

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions