How can data communicate the complexities of New York City? This program series shows how the data visualizations for the digital project Visualize NYC 2021 were produced, providing a behind behind-the-scenes perspective from both the people who created the data visualizations and the data itself. Learn how data can create civic action through a conversation on the process by which city agencies and other groups collect data, use it to inform policy, and collaborate with designers to communicate to the public, thereby generating the support needed to make policy changes.

This program will explore two data visualizations that used data collected by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: “South Bronx Food Heat Map” and “Senior Amenity Access in New York City“, which are included in the Public Health section of Visualize NYC 2021. In New York City, access to amenities, like grocery stores, parks, libraries, and public transit, is not created equal. While some parts of the city—typically wealthier neighborhoods or areas near central business districts—are rich in available options, many others lack easy, walkable access to the most basic goods and services.

Visualize NYC 2021 is organized by AIA New York and Center for Architecture with MIT’s Civic Data Design Lab (CDDL).