I found this exercise to be very educational in seeing the steps necessary to produce this analysis. The instructions were very clear and I had no difficulties in doing the tasks. The most challenging parts were putting the multiple data frames together for the maps, trying to develop meaningful legends (hard) and understanding the transition from classification to a value based system.
Comments on the Weighted Overlays:
The two weighted overlays show that there could be many factors that influence the outcome of a situation. In this particular example the couple has chosen to use 4 parameters for the analysis. The parameters being: proximity to the University and hospitals, demographics of the age of the population (showing the area with the most 40-49 year olds) and the median home values in the area. Two different outcomes were weighted for the analysis. Analysis 1 shows equal weighting, or 25% for each parameter. Analysis 2 shows the proximity to the University and hospitals comprising 80% of the analysis. Based on the analyses both show the same tracts as being the best place to live. These tracts are on the west side of the city. I believe that by having a thorough interview with the couple would help with the weighting. This would most likely skew the results. Other factors that may play into the analyses are travel times to the University and hospitals and the schedules that the couple may need to adhere to. So it could be that the Dr. may have higher priorites to be in proximity to a hospital than than the professor travelling to the University. The results may also change if the the couple has a lower budget for housing and would choose to obtain a property below the highest median value of the area.
Great maps and explanations.
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