Land Use Priorities
The area within the Athens Perimeter Loop (shown above) was selected and data was collected including tree canopy and imperviousness. After researching this data, I developed a custom scenario that gave weight to various factors including Tree Stocking Level, Tree Cover Per Capita, and Population Density.
The image above shows the land priorities (from lowest to highest) of three main principles weighted at diferent scales combined equaling 100%. Population Density at 50%, Tree Cover Per Capita at 25%, and Tree Stocking Level at 25%. Based on this map, the highest priority area (the dark burgundy section) shows that this is the area of Athens, Georgia that we need to put the most money and time into. The lowest (the darkest blue) shows that this area is a low priority section that doesn't need as much money invested in it.
My reasoning behind the specific weighted percentages for the three different factors was based on my personal preferences. I believe that population density is the most important factor because Athens is a rapidly growing city. Tree cover and tree stocking were weighted the same because I believe that they piggy-back off of eachother indefinitley. If the highest priority areas of this site are developed under the terms and conditions that the website set, it would promote not only more of a positive population increase, but it would also more carbon storage, more particulate absorption, and transpiration rates would increase. All of these factors would contribute positivley to Athens causing the city to be more visually appealing and would save the city money in the long run.
For an executive report on the results from the itree website, click the link below.