Final
I chose to do option 1. Selecting and Classifying Land Uses for my first half of the final. I first created a map and inserted the data file. Then I opened the attribute table of the Parcel layer and used the select by attributes tool to create queries of all of the different land uses. I used the provided land use codes to select each section and then used the create new layer with selected attributes button to create a new layer for each of the land uses. I created 5 separate layers of land use, as Delaware does not have any land that fits the mineral land use classification. I then color coded these layers. I then did the same process to map agricultural uses. Excluding Tobacco and vegetable farms, as well as greenhouse farms as we do not have these in Delaware.
For my second option I chose to do 2. Making New Shape Files from Existing Shape Files. I decided I would make a map showing the proximity of roads to different land use types. I did this by finding and imputing a data set that showed all of the roads in Delaware, I then used the same Parcel data set from selecting and classifying land uses, and went through the same process. I opened the attribute table of the Parcel layer and used the select by attributes tool to create queries of all of the different land uses. I used the provided land use codes to select each section and then used the create new layer with selected attributes button to create a new layer for each of the land uses. I believe this map could be useful for land use planning. Land use planning often involves analyzing the proximity of development to roads and infrastructure. Selecting specific types of land use near major roads can help assess urban sprawl or development impacts. Urban planners could use this map to assess land development patterns and ensure sustainable growth or identify areas where development could cause traffic congestion. To make the map a little more clear I also added in a hydrology layer to delineate where waterways are present between the roads.
