By using the data provided by millions of Twitter users, two researchers discovered surprising insights into public sentiment in shrinking cities.
A post on The Lincoln Institute of land Policy blog introduces a new working paper, by authors Justin Hollander of Tufts University and Henry Renski of the University of Massachusetts, that uses Twitter data "to compare public attitudes in 50 shrinking, mostly postindustrial cities with those in 50 stable, growing cities."
The goal of the paper, as described, is to provide planners with additional tools for evaluating public well-being—Twitter being an easily accessed tool to supplement more traditional tools like Census data and online or other survey processes.
In addition to the study's methodology, the research findings are also of note: "The authors found no significant difference in the attitudes of resident in shrinking cities and growing cities." The lack of difference in attitudes suggests that local, state, and federal agencies need to devote more resources to studying the impacts of population decline on neighborhoods and community well-being.
The study's authors will next research the New York City Department of Design and Construction, "to explore the sentiments of people who live and work near public buildings and plazas."
FULL STORY: The Promise of Twitter Data for Urban Planning

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

The French Solution to Congested Tunnels: Make Them Car-Free
Bay Area transportation officials keep expanding car capacity. Lyon’s Croix Rousse Tunnel offers a different way.

Missouri Governor Reverses Anti-Discrimination Housing Policies
A new state law bars cities from prohibiting source-of-income discrimination against tenants using Section 8 housing vouchers.

USDOT Launches Unfunded 'SAFE ROADS' Program
The program targets “distractions” and “political messages or artwork,” and paves the way for autonomous vehicles.
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.
City of Fort Worth
planning NEXT
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie