Incompatible zone systems

Artificial zonal boundaries superimposed over complicated social systems and built environments impel plannersto perform "spatial data transformation" - the practice of transforming geographic data from one set of zones to a different set of zones with incompatible boundaries - to analyze and present data for targeted local analyses. The findings of a survey of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) - which confirm an assessment of the literature - suggest that practicing planners tend to use simple Geographic Information Systems (GIS) methods for performing spatial data transformation in lieu of more complex geographic procedures that have greater accuracy. To help close the gap between research and application in the use of GIS in practice, planners should seek more advanced GIS training and education about geographic theory that underlies common GIS procedures.