Index Background Data Preparation & Manipulation Spatial Analysis Problems Data Sources

Data Preparation and Manipulation

The maps for Vancouver consisted of a base map and a map that divided the city into its dissemination areas. Both were available from the Data Warehouse provided on the S: drive. The data for identifying vulnerable populations came from Census Canada database for 2001. I chose several characteristics of the population that would increase the likelihood of being a crime victim, based on past victimization studies of reported violent crime.

Aboriginals, people with low income, minorities and women are all more susceptible to victimization.

First, the aboriginal population was identified by dissemination area. The areas to be highlighted are those that contain a higher than average percent of people who identified themselves as aboriginal, North American Indian, Metis or Inuit..

Next, people with low incomes were identified from Statistics Canada information. They were identified by dissemination area. The areas of interest indicate where there are more people than average who earn a low income.

The visible minority population was identified by as the areas where there was a higher than average percent of people who reported to Statistics Canada that they recognized themselves with a minority group.

A map was produced to show areas in Vancouver where women live in higher than average proportions of the population.

A land use map was used to identify appropriate possible locations for a new victim services centre.

The existing victims services locations were obtained from the phone book and digitized into a new shapefile.