Community Planning
Urban
and regional planners rely upon demographics, or statistical data about
populations, to carry out their work. The planners analyze
the data to help officials make better decisions concerning social,
cultural, economic, and environmental problems. Look at the
data in the links below from the Population Reference Bureau and the Social
Science Data Analysis Network and discuss the following questions.
1. The Changing American Pie, 1999 and 2025
How has the ethnic composition of your
school or neighborhood changed over the last five years? Do the changes
projected for the year 2025 surprise you? Why or why not? Do
you think your neighborhood will
change substantially by 2025?
2. The Aging of the United States, 1999 to 2025
How are the social services, recreational facilities and housing developments likely to change in view of the changing age structure of the American population? Speculate about how the aging population might affect the field in which you plan to work.
3. Minority Representation in Congress
Do you think the minority representation
in Congress will continue to increase or level off? Explain how
you reached that conclusion? Do you think the kinds of legislation
the Congress passes is affected by the ethnicity of its members? Should
the legislation be affected? Why or why not?
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