URB 201: Urban Inquiry and Practice

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Hello, and welcome to the library course page for Urban Inquiry and Practice (URB 201)

 

Finding statistics, data, and maps

 

Getting to know Census Data

 

Useful resources for this assignment:

GeoSearch
Interactive map by Statistics Canada. Search by place name or postal code. Zoom in to display more granular geographic areas (i.e. DAs).  

GeoSuite
and its Reference Guide

SimplyAnalytics Canada 
SFU resource for mapping demographic and consumer information, down to the Census Tract or Postal Code area, e.g.  0242.00 or V5R 4G6. Note: Sign in as a guest or create an account. Contains many useful video tutorials

Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population can search down to Census Tract
Census Tract Reference Maps, including Vancouver
 

Statistical and data resources

Start with:

Urban Observation and Neighbourhood Information  section of URB 670 page
Have a look at the section "Urban Observation Exercise resources" including statistical source

Lunaris 
Canada’s national discovery service for multidisciplinary data from research institutions across the country.  Also includes government open data. 

Data and Statistics SFU Library page

Start with the Microdata resources and statistics Statistics resources on the right hand side
If you have detailed questions you can contact the Library Data Team at data-services@sfu.ca
 
Examples of statistical reports:
 
Food Insecurity 
Statistics Canada Subject area
 
Poverty report card 
Food Banks Canada
 
Data Visualization
 
SFU Library’s Research Commons supports many tools for data analysis and visualization including NVivo, ArcGIS, and Tableau. We also provide support for research programming using R and Python.
 
SimplyAnalytics database 
"create thematic maps and reports using Canadian demographic, census, consumer behavior data"
 

GIS & Maps

GIS data and training 

Tutorials on various Esri products and applications, including ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. 
 
Resources on where to find geospatial data on various topics and geographies. 
 
Using mapping/GIS for community-based research, participatory projects, and equity/diversity/social justice 
Learn how to use GIS/mapping for community-based research, participatory projects, and equity/diversity topics.

Storymaps

Communicating your research with ArcGIS StoryMaps
Learn how to use ArcGIS StoryMaps, a web-based storytelling tool, to communicate your research. 

Field Maps

Collecting location-enabled field data with ArcGIS Field Maps 
Learn how to use this application to collect data (coordinates, images, descriptions associated with features) in the field. 

Georeferencing

How to make images(or old maps) useful for mapping: Georeferencing
Learn how to use QGIS to georeference a historical map, and connect your images with their spatial locations on a reference dataset.
 

Finding Vancouver historical maps

Paper maps, including historical maps for Vancouver, Lower Mainland, and BC. 
 
Vancouver: A Visual History by Bruce Macdonald (Ebook available through the library) 
Includes historical maps showing Vancouver from 1850s to 1980s. Maps showing indigenous peoples inhabiting Vancouver in the 1860s (p.14&15), and in the 1870s (p.18&19). 
 
Search Archives (City of Vancouver Archives)
Example search term:  "Vancouver Map", then limit your search results to scanned maps by clicking "Show results with digital objects"
 
Browse results by clicking "Show all"
Example search term: "Vancouver retail", which leads to this map Map of down-town retail business section showing streets and businesses in downtown Vancouver in 1930.
 
A world-class online map collection. 
Example search term: "Vancouver map", which leads to this map Greater Vancouver. Coastal Region. Text: Tourist Information, published in 1999. 
 

Finding Articles

How to effectively search article databases:

Search tips
How narrow or expand your search, with classic Boolean visuals, from SFU guide How to find journal articles

 Boolean Searching
Power searching section of SFU Catalogue guide; tips apply to databases as well

Newspapers are great for very local or very new topics, and journal articles can give a good perspective on a topic.  Two databases to start with:
 
For research on any and all Canadian topics
This covers  major Canadian newspapers, as well as scholarly journals, trade journals, and magazines
 
Sample Subject search: Low Income Groups AND Grocery Stores
 
a broader selection of newspapers than above, including the smaller and local newspapers 

What if you come across a great article, but it's not at SFU? Example:

"Buy Local: Retailers can make a big difference to their local community"
By: Yeo, Frank. Western Grocer. Nov/Dec2024, Vol. 110 Issue 6, p31-33. 3p.
 
-Since this magazine is not at SFU, you  can either make an Interlibrary Loan request 

Useful sites and resources

Cultivating Opportunities: Canada’s Growing Appetite for Local Food 
free report from the Conference Board of Canada

The Tyee an Andy recommendation
 
Western Grocer - site has links to recent issues as well as news releases
 
 Canadian Grocer  - site includes articles
 
 

Your Portfolio

Urban Professional Development  
Head to this graduate level course page to find tips on areas such as:

Creating a CV and interviewing support (from SFU Career and Volunteer Services)
Your online presence (from SFU Library's Scholarly Publishing + Open Access) 
 

Other Services, at the Library and SFU

 
 It is the place to go for for you do do your 3D printing, podcasting, sewing, soldering, and much more
Example: using 3D printing to create spatial datamap of a neighbourhood and its grocery stores
 
Student Learning Commons
Writing and learning support, including handouts, workshops and consultations and and the famous WriteAway: "free, fast, and ethical writing feedback"

 
Digital Publishing

Digital Publishing 
SFU Library, including in-class publishing

Course journals post from Radical Access blog
SFU Library Scholarly Publishing, who cover "building your scholarly online presence"

 

Zines

Visit Zine Scene! A History of Zines at Special Collections Special Collections is on the 7th floor of Bennett Library

Zines@Douglas: Zines in the Classroom 
a touch on the academic side - also check out their links

Photovoice 2024 from Student Learning Commons and SFU Public Square. 
BTW you can use Photovoice with StoryMaps 

 
 

Getting help

If you need help, please contact:
 Sarah (Tong) Zhang, Librarian for Geography, GIS, & Maps at 778-782-9704 /  tza68@sfu.ca or
 Nina Smart, Liaison Librarian for Urban Studies, at 778.782.5043 (Tuesdays and Thursdays),  nsmart@sfu.ca (Monday to Thursday). 

See also Ask a librarian if we're not available, or you have a general question.
 

Back to main Urban Studies page
Back to main Geography page

Don't forget the Urban Worlds page for more information