Presenters:
Sofia Alonso
University of Southern California
Movie theaters strategically select locations within specific neighborhoods. This study analyzes the characteristics of neighborhoods with and without AMC theatres in Los Angeles County by spatially analyzing median household income, population density, and the distribution of the White population. While the placement of theatres is often overlooked, it reveals striking parallels with issues like food deserts and greenspace scarcity, highlighting inequities in access to amenities. Similar to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, AMC theatres tend to avoid low-income, densely populated neighborhoods of POC, forcing residents in these areas to travel further for cinema experiences. Buffers with one, three, and five miles radiuses were created around all AMC locations. The population composition inside and outside the buffers was analyzed through visualization and descriptive statistics. This study found that people who live closer to AMC theaters have higher incomes than those who live farther away and a higher percentage of White residents. This research brings awareness to the injustice of AMC theatre planning. Residents are entitled to live in equitable neighborhoods with AMC theatres nearby, regardless of ethnicity, income, or other social factors. This research will aid future entertainment development in neighborhoods experiencing inequity.
