A rural-development analysis and planning proposal for the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan region.
The proposal overlaid political, social, economic, and environmental conditions to identify the highest and best land uses through a data-driven mapping approach.
Because the work predated CAD, all overlays were created by hand with ink and Zip-A-Tone lettering on clear mylar. They could be run through a blueline printer with a frosted-mylar USGS topographic map to produce about 50 overlay combinations.
In addition to delineation, the work included coordinating the purchase, processing, and production printing of all maps for the class.
Analysis maps included aquifers, aquifer recharge areas, floodplains and ponding, geology, hydrologic groups, landforms, surface water, and woodlands.
Assessment maps included agricultural suitability, building suitability, and septic-tank suitability.
Combining the maps produced a Highest Economic Use map that predicted land-use patterns, including where single-family housing was most likely to grow. One assertion was that rural houses cost less to build on flat, well-drained valley soils than on steep, clay hillsides.
