Maps aren’t just for driving around anymore. They’ve become an important part of understanding patterns in how we live, work and learn. The growing field of linking data to location is called GIS, for Geographic Information Systems.

The use of GIS mapping technology has become an illuminating addition to the toolkit for social justice advocates, health care workers, law enforcement, transportation planners, education officials and municipalities.

We look at a specific example of how GIS has been used to show real discrimination, and how it might be used to prevent future bias. We’re joined now by Allan Parnell, co-founder of the Cedar Grove Institute for Sustainable Communities and civil rights attorney Reed Colfax, who’s worked with Allan on municipal discrimination cases.

Miller-McCune: The Revolution Will Be Mapped

YES!: Mapping Social Patterns

GIS for Equitable and Sustainable Communites

Hidden spatial inequality & GIS

(Photo by Vlad T via Flickr/Creative Commons)