This repository presents a spatial analysis project titled “Urban Farming Potential in Detroit”, carried out as part of a GIS capstone track. The study identifies the most suitable zones for urban farming in Detroit using spatial data and geoprocessing tools in QGIS.
Objective To determine the zones most favorable for urban farming in Detroit by analyzing vacant land parcels and soil quality through spatial overlay analysis.
Data Sources
- Detroit shapefile
- Vacant land parcels: data.detroitmi.gov
- Soil data: USDA Web Soil Survey
Tools & Techniques Performed using QGIS with the following geoprocessing tools:
- Buffer: To define influence zones around vacant parcels (100 m radius)
- Intersection: To combine buffered parcels with soil data
- Difference: To extract “Good” soil zones suitable for farming
Workflow
- Download and load Vacant Parcel and Soil datasets into QGIS.
- Apply a 100 m buffer around vacant parcels.
- Perform intersection between buffered parcels and soil data.
- Categorize soil based on suitability: Good, Moderate, Poor.
- Extract only “Good” soil zones using the Difference tool.
- Identify and map vacant plots within suitable soil zones.
Results
| Soil Class | Area (Ha) |
|---|---|
| Good | 389.985 |
| Moderate | 58.505 |
| Poor | 13,360.458 |
- Only a small fraction of land is suitable for urban farming.
- Approximately 700 vacant plots (each >250 m²) were identified as best suited for urban farming initiatives.
Key Insights
- Soil quality is a limiting factor for large-scale urban farming.
- The selected “Good” zones can support community-based agricultural projects.
- Findings can help in urban renewal and green city planning in Detroit.
Tools Used
- QGIS (Buffer, Intersection, Difference)
- Spatial Data from Detroit Open Data Portal & USDA Soil Survey
Summary A GIS-based assessment of Detroit’s vacant parcels revealed around 700 plots suitable for urban farming, primarily determined by soil quality and spatial proximity. The project highlights how spatial analysis supports sustainable land use and urban food security initiatives.