Newsletter of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University
Research by students in the Master of Urban Planning program at Texas A&M has led to a report estimating Galveston's population since Hurricane Ike has dipped below 50,000 residents, reported Rhiannon Meyers in the June 1, 2010 issue of the Galveston County Daily News.
The 50,000 population figure is significant, she wrote, because it's a benchmark for federal funding that pays for Galveston's Island Transit system and housing repair programs.
"The students used a formula called the 'housing unit method' to estimate the population by counting the total number of housing units in Galveston multiplied by the occupancy rate for those units and the ratio of people living in each unit," wrote Meyers.
The report resulted from a research project by students in an Applied Planning II course led by Shannon Van Zandt, assistant professor of urban planning, who added that students also produced an existing land use map for the city of Galveston.
During their many travels to the island to gather demographic data for the report, she said students stayed free at the Michel B. Menard Home. Built in 1838, the Greek revival style home is the oldest on the island, with furniture dating from the first half of the 19th century.
Meyers' story is available at http://galvestondailynews.com
- Posted: July 8, 2010 -
