Andrea Craft
Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor, Dept. of Urban Planning and Policy
Director, Urban Data Visualization Lab
Pronouns: they/them/their
Contact
Building & Room:
224 CUPPA Hall
Address:
412 S. Peoria St
Email:
CV Link:
Related Sites:
About
Andrea Craft is the Director of the Urban Data Visualization Lab, CUPPA’s hub for map collaboration and home of the Geospatial Analysis and Visualization (GSAV) program. Andrea teaches geographic information systems (GIS), spatial analysis, and cartography, and their teaching approach centers on a critical GIS pedagogy that encourages new generations of urban planners to think deeply about data's role in society and to use GIS as a tool for promoting spatial justice.
Andrea’s research interests include: government transparency, theories of accountability, community participation, and the politics of economic development. Their research examines the potential for governmental transparency - through open data policies and community engagement - to advance equitable development and to build accountability to the public. Their work critically interrogates the techniques of democratic participation and representation by uncovering the politics inherent in technology and its application to urban governance. Other recent research has focused on understanding local governments’ use of development incentives, particularly tax increment financing, and Andrea serves as the TIF expert on the Lincoln Yards Community Advisory Council for the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office. Andrea’s current research maps the impact of the Lincoln Yards redevelopment project on surrounding property values to highlight how megaproject developers drive property speculation.
Courses taught:
- UPP 461: Geographic Information Systems for Planning and Policy
- UPP 462: Intermediate GIS for Planning and Policy
- US 261: Mapping, Data, and GIS
- US 361: Introduction to GIS
Education
Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago
M.A. in Geography, University of Kentucky
B.A. in Geography, DePaul University