As a City of Asheville intern and UNC Asheville student, I examined historical Sanborn fire insurance maps to assess the past conditions of African American neighborhoods affected by urban renewal. This involved digitally documenting the loss of homes and businesses, which I mapped using ArcGIS Online. I also built a database capturing past ownership details for city-owned parcels acquired through eminent domain. This project provides a visual record of these changes and aims to preserve the historical context of these neighborhoods.

Explore the story map to discover important landmarks and learn more about Asheville’s racial spatial history and urban renewal impact.