Siting Invisible Values

This visualization illuminates how value systems affect development in Pittsburgh, PA. The research team developed a parcel-level index for developability, based on indices like accessibility by walking, proximity to retail, and diverse building uses and demographics. I developed a computational workflow to visualize opprtunity for development based on the matrix of preferences.

An important capacity of this research is the ability to highlight places that are highly proximate to jobs and urban amenities and yet less accessible, based upon key metrics of access, than areas that are more distant. For example, historically Black neighborhoods like the Hill District of Pittsburgh host a strong and connected street grid, proximity to jobs and parks, and a diverse range of uses, urban form, and resident demographics — all elements that contribute to urban quality. However, when valued based upon walkable access to amenities such as transit and shopping, they return a low score. This is a visualization of historic disinvestment in the neighborhood.

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Siting Invisible Values: Intersecting Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation at the Parcel Scale
Our Artificial Nature: Design Research for an Era of Environmental Change
Coordinator: Elizabeth Christoforetti

Druker Design Gallery, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Cambridge, MA
On Display Nov 13 - Dec 21, 2023