Austin's voters reject gentrification forecast – that turns out to be right

Austin, Texas, is using big data to predict the effect proposed developments are likely to have on the city’s economy. Using local data on rents, wages, taxes, etc., the city's 'Envision Tomorrow' software can assess whether new developments will help or harm the local economy before they are built. Planners used this tool to design the route for the city's urban railway in 2014, connecting undeveloped areas which the model predicted would grow over the next few decades. Voters were sceptical and the proposal failed when submitted to the public, but the planners have since been proved right: areas have begun to show the growth they predicted. Now the city is using the tool to stop gentrification overwhelming its iconic live music districts.