Objective:Analyze how contemporary EPA-registered industrial facilities in Grand Rapids, MI, are distributed in relation to historical urban development.

Background:Grand Rapids has experienced steady urban expansion since the early 20th century. This growth has often coincided with industrial development, which can have lasting environmental and health impacts.

Methods:

• Digitized USGS topographic maps from 1914, 1943, and 1985 to outline historic urban growth rings.

• Integrated 2000, 2010, and 2020 U.S. Census Urban Area shapefiles to represent modern urban expansion.

• Obtained and filtered EPA Registered Facilities data to include relevant industrial sites.

• Clipped datasets to Kent County boundaries and modern urban extent.

• Performed density analysis of industrial sites across each urban ring using GIS tools.

Results

The spatial analysis reveals a clear concentration of EPA-registered industrial permits within the oldest urbanized areas of Grand Rapids, primarily those developed by 1914 and 1943. Pollution density is highest near the city center, with hotspot clusters diminishing outward from these historical urban cores. In contrast, areas developed by 2000, 2010, and 2020 display comparatively lower industrial site density. This pattern suggests a strong correlation between early urban expansion and contemporary industrial siting, likely reflecting legacy zoning and infrastructure. Peripheral suburban areas show minimal permit density, indicating newer developments have fewer pollution-generating facilities.