Using GIS as a Tool to Enhance Community Involvement

Environmental Science Program NCCU THE POWER OF MAPS

Marcia Bradshaw Contact email: Rakesh Malhotra [email protected] Peter Muriuki Kimberly Outen Introduction z Rakesh Malhotra, PhD – University of Georgia – Post-doctoral Associate, North Carolina Central University – Authorized Instructor since 1997 (This is not an ESRI course) – Primarily use and favor ESRI software z ArcGIS (desktop) z ArcIMS, ArcSDE, (server based) Goals z GOALS – GIS “BASICS” GEOGRAPHY – GIS is at the confluence of: z Geography GIS z Computer Science COMPUTER z Community Involvement COMMUNITY SCIENCE INVOLVEMENT – Right software – Good Data sources Expectations z EXPECTATIONS – Introduction to the subject – “Tip of the iceberg” – Emphasis on fundamentals / foundation – Demonstration uses: z Free software (ArcExplorer) z Simple data layers (County based dataset) z Basic techniques (Mapping, Visual perspective) GIS Concepts z Map z Scale z Raster and Vector (Basic Data Structures) z Layers of information z Two components - Graphic and Attributes z Three types of vector data GIS Concepts (MAP)

z A map is a model – a model of reality z A map contains specific information z Information on the map may be graphic (geometry) or text (attributes) z A map consists of layers z A map contains additional information such as Scale, Title, North Arrow GIS Concepts (PROJECTION) z Map Projection – a mathematical relationship that converts spherical coordinate systems (lat / long) to rectangular coordinate system (x / y)

– http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/MapProjections/projections.html GIS CONCEPTS (SCALE) z A map is a model and scale represents the (SMALL SCALE) ratio of shrinkage 1:1000 z Three important factors: – SCALE – PAPER SIZE – EXTENT 1:100 EXTENT SCALE = (LARGE SCALE) PAPER SIZE GIS CONCEPTS (RASTER/VECTOR)

z Raster GIS Data – Pixels

– Continuous Data RASTER VECTOR – Resolution Dependent

AERIAL z THEMATIC POINTS Vector IMAGERY – Points / Lines / Polygons

– PANCHROMATIC MULTISPECTRAL Discrete Data LINES (ONE BAND) (SEVERAL BANDS) – Resolution Independent (but based on scale of original data) POLYGONS

DEMO – GOOGLE MAPS GIS CONCEPTS (LAYERS OF DATA)

z MAP HEIRARCHY MAP – One map can (and usually does) contain

several “LAYERS” of LAYER LAYER LAYER data – A layers consists of “SIMILAR” features FEATURE FEATURE FEATURE FEATURE – Features have “GEOMETRY” and “ATTRIBUTES” GEOMETRY ATTRIBUTES GIS CONCEPTS (VECTOR DATA) z POINT - Basic “building block” – X, Y coordinate – school (on a city map) – city (on a country map) z LINES – collection of points z POLYGONS – collection of points with z Scale dependent same start and end z Everything is a polygon Levels of a GIS z Data collection z Mapping z Data Analysis z Programming Levels of a GIS (Data collection) z Digitizing – Converting paper maps layers to digital layers z GPS – Sampling site – Reconnaissance z Aerial / satellite imagery (data compilation) – Area delineation – Site assessment Levels of a GIS (Mapping) z Present information / visual perspective z Use of cartographic principles z Ancillary information such as legend, descriptive text, scale are used to enhance information provided by the two main components (graphic and attributes) Levels of a GIS (Data Analysis) z Relationships between layers of information z Location analysis z Proximity analysis z Cluster analysis Levels of a GIS (Programming) z Stringing tasks together z Repetition z Simplifying use by creating tools / button clicks that are easier for new users z Scripting / Visual models / Computer Programs z Caution: Sometimes the underlying complexity is lost to the user Components of a GIS z Software z Hardware z Data z People z Procedures Components of a GIS (Software) z The “S” in the GIS z Several available, some generic and some specialized; some proprietary some open source z Two basic versions – Desktop and Client/Server z Tightly coupled to the OS / Hardware Components of a GIS (Hardware) z Two basic types – PC z Word processing, etc. – Server z Email, Web, etc. z GIS (ESRI software) has both (PC and server) options Components of a GIS (Data) z The “GI” in GIS z Each software has a native type z For example, ArcGIS – GEODATBASE z Personal (PC based) z Enterprise (Server based) z ArcView – Shapefile (actually a collection of at least 3 files) Components of a GIS (Procedures) z Akin to GIS Functions – Data collection – Mapping – Data Analysis – Programming GIS Data Sources z US Census z City/County GIS Department – http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/gis/ – http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/gis/counties.html z Internet – www.nationalatlas.gov – www.geographynetwork.com z Data Clearinghouses – Search “GIS data clearinghouse” GIS as Applied to Community Involvement z Visual perspective to the information z Who is affected? z What is there? z Where are things located? z And more Software z ArcExplorer (GIS Data Viewer) – http://www.esri.com/software/arcexplorer/index.html – Free Download – ESRI (Creator of GIS software) z GeoMedia Viewer (GIS Data Viewer) – http://www.intergraph.com/gviewer/ – Free Download – Intergraph (Creator of GIS software) Software / Data Demonstration z Download ArcExplorer z Work with some GIS Data z CD can be provided