DOI: 10.21120/LE/12/1/1 Landscape & Environment 12 (1) 2018. 1-9

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE AGE OF BIG DATA

JÓZSEF ATTILA JANKÓ1*, GYÖRGY SZABÓ2

1,2 Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary *Email: [email protected]

Received 20 November 2016, accepted in revised form 14 April 2017

Abstract Our paper presents a forward looking analytical approach to the territorial development in a region of the situated in the vicinity of Cluj-Napoca, . We outlined the development of this region with the means of landscape architecture supported by a comparable assessment. In the age of Big Data we settled at creative usage of traditional analysis. We extracted yet undetected information from a limited amount of available as yet loosely related data. The key feature of the employed model is the ontological traceability of cause and effect. Although technology is available to collect enormous data, expert knowledge gained by education and professional practice cannot be overlooked. We demonstrate that this method of location based analysis is capable of delivering value added to established principles of spatial planning in the age of trustworthy, large volume, heterogeneous data.

Keywords: Spatial Planning, Location Based Analysis, Heterogeneous Data, Thematic Overlay

1. Introduction to the characteristics of the phenomena examined. If change in assessment results The profession of landscape architecture becomes desired, the necessary change in gained not only substantial technological the determining phenomenon can be pointed tools over the 20th century but a pressure from the IT and GIS sectors as well. In the of available data, while at the same time age of Big Data, not all locations abound beingout. This capable method of can including assume thelarge deficiency volume data of heterogeneous type from different sources. This model stands in contrast to andwith technical current andderivatives thematically of the diversifiedadvanced technologiesdata. We also (deep identified learning thate.g.) scientificare con- analysis or probabilistic approaches where strained compared to the employment of thean artificial connections intelligence between like the neural input datanetwork and functional models. Therefore, we developed descriptive results are chaotic or even hidden. a comparable assessment method to Our approach is best described by the term transform obtained and collected data into ‘inverse fuzzy logic’, where phenomena of the a form of working knowledge (Jankó & region in the form of pseudo fuzzy sets are Szabó 2013). In this paper, we only highlight transformed into crisp values on a continuous some of the techniques where spatial data and heterogeneous statistical data were et al. 2015) of the assessment outcomes employed. The aim of the compa-rable enablesscale. Ultimately, design and the planningdefuzzification proposals (Skalna to settlement diagnosis is to identify cause be based on a controlled interpretation and effect relationships in such a way that of the landscape utilising the strengths assessment results can be traced back 2 Landscape & Environment 12 (1) 2018. 1-9 and addressing weakness of the site while was divided into four phenomena: considering opportunities and threats. This the natursphere, the sociosphere, the method differs from landscape character opussphere and the urbanosphere (Kiss assessment (Tudor 2014) in the term of 1996). This four-fold thematic approach character because we also take into account contains the state of art in our understanding remotely imperceptible factors. Examples of the environment, the society, the economy of this distinction will be put forward in the and the built heritage respectively (Jankó & later discussion. Szabó 2013). The data was aggregated within A better understating of spatial connections each local authority, scaled and normalized, and interactions within the area of interest providing a comparable relative rank (1-9) (the subject of design and planning) can of the local authorities in each sphere. The be attained from using thematic overlays numeric class represents weak, medium or represented on maps drawing on statistical strong quality of the components of each data. It is not the same case in our work sphere. Strong characteristics are considered environment where only raw and weakly to be relatively well developed. The weak connected data is present to incorporate characteristics provided the areas that into the design principles. Data availability could be addressed by planning proposals. is limited, and documentation suggests that The aggregated indices or ranks are the data reliability might be in question (Advameg result of base indices which are the result of 2015). While physical features of a landscape detailed indices directly measuring certain are straightforward to visualise and analyse on thematic layers, maps yet contain only goal of the regional development process is limited and purposefully selected elements tophenomenon reduce inequalities identified recognisable in the region. from Thethe from the reality. Our approach complements ranks. Examples of tracing back cause and this practice with such thematic data analysis effects will be provided in later chapter. We that connects information from diverse also determined opportunities and threats sources in order to construct an elaborated that challenge the achievement of the design general overview of the current state of the targets. Relevant geographical information 2 design area. Between 2010 and 2014 we was aggregated in 1 km hexagon cells engaged in an extensive data collection effort to identify locations with high risks or to overcome these challenges. The team remarkable potential for the development. evaluated historical maps, General Urban A professional pursuit like landscape Plans and current remote sensing sources architecture is performed within a discipline such as CORINE Land Cover of the European bounded by interdisciplinary values Environment Agency (EEA) and SRTM Digital concerning the development of the built Elevation Data of CGIAR Consortium for and cultivated environment regarding the Spatial Information (CGIAR-CSI). The team gathered an abundance of socio-economic requires a unique hierarchy of prioritization. information in a variety of forms including Thebeneficiary phenomena inhabitants. within this However, landscape each were site statistical data, site visits and interviews evaluated with the real needs of the local with local elders who possess a lifetimes of society in mind while not passing over yet unpublished knowledge. We established ecological and economic considerations. a framework for spatial assessment capable The comparable assessment intended to of utilizing both historic and current data answer the following types of questions. regardless of its collection techniques. This How much does the current land use support method provides systematized information the society? What kind of change may lead to of the area of interest. more dependable self-sustaining wellbeing? The extracted information provided a What sort of intervention could cause the desired change? Where the interventions significant base for our planning process Landscape & Environment 12 (1) 2018. 1-9 3 Sunshine availability, visual accessibility means will not be discussed. could be realized? Institutional and financial Recursive solar irradiation analysis (GRASS function r.sun with sequential moments) 2. Methods and Workflow was performed to segment and classify the site to gain evidence for agriculture related The assessment and spatial planning proposals. Those areas with high irradiation proposal concerned ten local authorities on visually less exposed declivities and located in proximity to settlements provided sites for possible greenhouse culture. (Aiton/Ajton, Aşchileu/Esküllő, Borşa/ Irradiation is the process by which the land is Kolozsborsa, Căianu/Magyarkályán, exposed to radiation. We use the term ‘visual Cămăraşu/Pusztakamarás, /Zsuk, accessibility’ to describe the phenomenon in /Mocs, /Magyarpalatka, Suatu/ encompassing 49 villages spread over a which the land is exposed to visual contact Magyarszovát,2 Vultureni/Borsaújfalu) 600 km region. The administrative centres during daily activities. listed in alphabetic order are in Romanian (ANCPI 2014) and Hungarian (Szabó & Szabó The visual accessibility analysis determined those areas of potential land of three major phases: 1) Investigation of the2003) natural respectively. and societal The workflowfacilities, landscape consisted (GRASS function r.los with default settings) use conflicts. Line-of-sight raster analysis shaping factors and applicable development was executed in nested loops over each strategies; 2) Landscape assessment based digital elevation model (DEM) pixel. Area of viewing positions (number of pixels) having the enhancement of the quality of life based visual contact with target locations in each on thisthese assessment. research findings; 3) Proposals for loop were collected and aggregated over the 1 km2 cell size tessellated hexagonal grid

Fig. 1: Recreational complexity classes with area of high visual accessibility and irradiation 4 Landscape & Environment 12 (1) 2018. 1-9 of our assessment did not require such a and comparison. Spatial units visible from largerutilised area for thewere rest considered of spatial visually classification more susceptible on our visual accessibility scale. Complexityrefinement. assessment The algorithmic base of a linear computation We evaluated the recreational potential along roads was published in the work in the region adapting the Kiemstedt purpose territorial approach approach of Miorelli & Zatelli (2006). Our general- climaticformula data, (Fuchs because 2010), its modified constant to value suit ourdid digital surface model (DSM) which includes notclassification make difference needs. at We this did scale. not North-east consider would benefit from access to a current areas with proportional forest edges and frequent watercourses produced complex couldartificial have visual been obstacles. weighted The by significance current land of but also outstanding potential for recrea-tion. visibility (thus the significance of viewpoint) The Suatu Lake in eastern south-east region cover/land use classification1. Table. but theNatursphere scale aggregated indices h Jucu Aiton Suatu Borşa Mociu Căianu Pălatca Aşchileu Vultureni Cămăraşu Civil paris

SIRUTA 56522 58259 58623 58794 59657 60099 Cl Ref. Description of base index 55598 55776 56265 56354 D N1 Average recreational complexity 1 9 3 3 1 1 1 2 1 7 Proportion of area of outstanding recr. com- D N2 plexity 1 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 I N3 Proportion of inhabit area over admin. area 4 7 9 8 6 7 9 9 1 8 I N4 Environmental impact of airport in Cluj 9 9 9 1 9 7 7 9 6 9 Environm. impact of overhead electricity I N5 lines 5 5 9 3 9 1 9 9 1 9 I N6 Environmental impact of main roads 9 9 9 3 1 5 1 9 9 9 D N7 Proportion of forests (CLC 31) 1 9 2 4 1 1 2 4 2 9

D N8 (11) 1 1 1 1 9 1 2 1 1 5 Prop. of wetlands (41) outside artificial surf. D N9 Proportion of water bodies (CLC 51) 1 1 1 1 1 9 1 1 7 1 D N10 1 9 6 3 1 2 1 2 1 8 - Specific length of water courses D N11 tion 9 2 1 3 6 4 3 1 5 1 Specific number of knoll weighted with eleva D N12 Proportion of conservation area 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 1 D N13 Proportion of Natura2000 area 2 1 9 1 1 2 1 1 2 7 I N14 9 1 9 5 9 1 9 9 5 9 D N15 Natural resources of touristic interest 3 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 9 3 Rate of land use conflicts Natursphere aggregated indices 4 5 5 3 4 3 3 4 4 6 Note: Class (Cl.) D - directly proportional; I - inversely proportional Landscape & Environment 12 (1) 2018. 1-9 5 to give better understanding of the core agricultural areas in the eastern parishes. We calculation principles. The detailed index is proposed(Fig. 1.) is significantintroducing because signed of hikingthe primarily paths and the developing a guesthouse network the region. Some of these values are directly as part of a complex tourism destination proportionalgenerally a specific with the value rank that (1-9), characterise some of management programme. The lake is used them are inversely proportional based on expert decision. For example natural aspect for such an activity. In the meantime, an for fishing without any proper infrastructure elements are dominating, thus Proportion of scheme resulted in unregulated dumping on inhabitof an areaarea lessover availableadministrative where area artificial (N3) theinsufficient shore adjacent communal to the wastechildren collection and the is inversely proportional base index while Proportion of forest area (N7) is considered a directly proportional base index. developmentpets of adult proposals anglers. The consider identification reviewing of Average recreational complexity (N1) is communalthis functional waste conflict collection recommended scheme that computed from the results of 2.2 Complexity assessment above. Complexity assessment tradition revived (Fig. 3a.). was computed on each 1 km2 hexagon cell effectiveness to have the popular fishing providing base data. The base data were Assessment of the natural environment aggregated over each administrative are This paper presents with excerpts only one (civil parishes) providing an average value. part of the four phenomena, the diagnosis The base index is gained after scaling and of the natural environment. Aggregated normalizing these average values. Proportion indices derived from base indices part of of area of outstanding recreational complexity our comparative settlement assessment (N2) provides a deeper understanding of (Table 1). Some base index will be explained

how significant the recreational complexity

Fig. 2. Comparative settlement diagnosis (natursphere, sociosphere, opussphere, urbano-sphere) with aggregated indices 6 Landscape & Environment 12 (1) 2018. 1-9 in each civil parish. This computation used 3. Results location based information from remote sensing services by applying traditional GIS methods. assessment of its natural environment with differentAşchileu sets and of Borşabase indices. both ranked For example, 5 in the Comparative settlement assessment it can be traced back that the Rate of land The study evaluated eighty characteristics of the design area in addition to the outcomes theuse base conflicts data (N14)(not discussed base index in isthis weak paper) for of the assessments mentioned above in four- canAşchileu suggest (compared whether to Borşa).this rank Tracing could back be fold comparative settlement assessment. The improved. As a result of this comparison, comparable indices suggest that the natural design proposals could be formulated about and economic environments are moderately where and how the natural environment developed, proposal should focus on nature would achieve a more desirable state. related economically viable solutions. The past is apparently present on this Kertész et al. (2014) that provided an rural landscape. Abandoned workshops ecological assessment on the region of and machineries out of blast indicate the agricultural activity of the previous patches with their calculated ecological generation. Such result of an assessment can research comparing land cover classification hardly be gained without human perception found that in 2006 46% of the land of their and common sense. The fact that this visual researchpotential area classification was used accordingpatches. This to the process land’s experience stands for decades implies the ecological potential. Central to our efforts is comprehension of stagnant socioeconomic to measure how the real needs of the society conditions. The Romanian Industrial Heritage are supported by the capabilities of the land’s Route provides access to those artefacts considered to carry great importance. Crop This comparison is made by summing up the growing and processing is vital to the local quantitativenatural, cultivated ratio ofand the artificial phenomena capabilities. in the economy but some of the agricultural and same ontological domain (1). industrial facilities look unattended. Natural spectacles like river banks and shores were generally neglected, tourist infrastructure was absent even though there are plenty of heritage and isolated civil initiatives by individuals who are solicitous about their homeland. Traditional research methods N (p portion of) phenomenon that needs phe- reveal national, regional and local initiatives nomenonwhere the CI index(with ofw sufficiencyweight) by isnatural, the ratio civil of and support the establishment of partners of or common sense law. Presumed relevancy cooperation in development. determine portion and weight in each case. The results are aggregated, scaled and New hiking routes were proposed to avoid normalised (Fig. 2.). For example, the area of crop land is measured against number of contains a portion of the Mary’s Way walking mills which in turn is measured against the pilgrimage.significant We habitats proposed and some wetland. change The to this site number of bakeries and these are measured pilgrims’ way based on our visual accessibility against the number of inhabitants, bearing in analysis to improve visual access throughout mind the portion of bread for export. the plain from the ridges. The village of Juc-

(‘Stud of Juc’) the historic tradition of animal husbandryHerghelie (Zsukiménes)whose breading carries studs in provided its name stock for both beasts of burden and hunting Landscape & Environment 12 (1) 2018. 1-9 7 horses. The study proposed revitalizing the 4. Discussion historical practice and the development of new horse-back riding trails to connect The study focused primarily on the the spectacular destinations (Fig. 3b.). We geographically appropriate development proposed reforestation at several locations of cultivated land, but we also evaluated to generate a better microclimate on arable land. Past agricultural practices resulted in overfertilized soil. The increasing demand for patternthe civic not environment. present in the The wider village geographical Chesău organic farming products requires spatially region.(Mezőkeszü) The developedunique spatial distinct character settlement of and technically appropriate land. While we could propose locations, we realized that example of cultural heritage worthy of not all obstacles to organic farming can be preservation.forecourt farming For over qualifies a century it the as regional primary eliminated by straight-forward numeric style of house was built directly onto the computations. Nevertheless, professional and street sometimes featuring a forecourt rather governmental cooperation will be necessary if than the domestic structure. While, it is not organic farming is to succeed. Herb collection unique to place a free standing house behind points are proposed in villages surrounded by rich meadows. Orchards are proposed at is both functional and sanitary. The streets accessible places in terms both of logistics area large generally forecourt, covered in Chesău with the excrement arrangement due and plant demands. A register of fruit-trees to the daily passing of cattle. The forecourts became vital in recreating a diversity of genus contain the cattleshed, stable, pigpen, hen house and muck-heap, typically hidden from the street by the stunning family home in where current plant material is identified membersimilarly states to the (Dir. national 68/193/EEC Register n.d.). of Fruit Vine forecourt farming tradition by separating andVarieties wild-berry established processing in the facilities European can Union once familyother communities.life (the house Chesăuand the maintainswell) from the dirty public place. It seems contradictory delicacies. to assess chicken coups on a regional scale again produce area-specific gastronomic while the comparable assessment resulted in making this distinctive attention to the

Fig. 3. Design proposals in civil parishes a) Suatu and b) Jucu 8 Landscape & Environment 12 (1) 2018. 1-9 conscious arrangement of this village. orchards took an interest in the land because Based on our extensive site visit, we found of the granted state premium based on land several issues relating to the transportation area. Thus, the orchards became arable land infrastructure. For example, roads are requiring less labour-intensive cultivation, responsible for maintenance. Roads belonging regardless of ecological consequences. 10-15 toclassified the European by the transportation level of the network authority are yearsusually ago, growing large factories the most in the profitable towns were crop kept in good condition (form the point of closed due to planned privatization, part of view of the drivers) by national authorities. a process of pulling out of global economic Some roads are maintained by county engagement, that had been unforeseen by authorities, others by local authorities. There then 20 year old countrymen living in a is an obvious correlation between the level of peripheral region. Moving home remained the responsible authority and the condition the survival strategy for those in their of the roads. Sidewalks are constructed in middle ages, approaching retirement or the villages only beside surfaced main roads. Most of the villages have cart-roads strewn sectors, regardless of their lack of any proper with crushed stone. In dry weather, the stone knowledgenot having anyof qualificationfarming, strong in the social booming and business networks and without the previous for the elderly population to walk. These rich orchards. individualspieces in the rely dry on mud the localmake roads it very to practicedifficult backyard farming and access the other 5. Conclusion and Outlook households scatted throughout the village. The purely digital data collection of remote Any data (quantitative or qualitative) sensing techniques is inadequate to capture is only a selected representation of reality such scattered ownership and its human perceived with some prior preconception. consequences. The household economies are It is culturally determined how data is kept alive by this aging population (mostly comprehended and what sort of knowledge 60-70 age women), and some of them are is acquired in order to make meaningful decisions regarding development and remain imperceptible by remote sensing conservation of resources and cultural applications.in their eighties. The Theircurrent personal farming difficulties practice, heritage. Remote sensing techniques and big data collection are apparently helpful. But population, characterise this landscape. It they map only certain aspects of a territory. seemsperformed contradictory by this significant to professionally portion assessof the landscape character while the inhabitants sensing images does not recognize the are only concerned with stone particles along Unsupervised classification of remote their daily walk. architectural styles. Understanding the unique settlement patterns and significant Preliminary public participation initiatives revealed another driving force that causes complex than identifying land cover classes. spatial and cultural significance is more land cover change and hence landscape We did not intend to predict future trends, character change. 40-60 years ago, orchard but search for spatial planning solutions owners grew fruit varieties of many species. to plan the future using location-based Since then, their children have migrated to information collected from many sources big cities at home and abroad, working in with varied methods within the limits of large factories. Fruit picking thus became less data accessibility in the Romanian regional feasible for the aging orchard owners because development culture. family members had migrated away and This method of comparative settlement hence there was a decreased in man-power diagnosis utilizing heterogeneous, constantly in the rural region. The new owners of the incrementing data served as a framework Landscape & Environment 12 (1) 2018. 1-9 9 in our technical evaluation. However, this Jankó, J. A. & Szabó, Gy. (2013), Comparative Settlement method can also equip authorities to evaluate Diagnosis. In: Lóki, J. (Ed.). Az elmélet és a the impact of accomplishments sought by the design proposals themselves. We used Debrecenigyakorlat találkozásaEgyetemi aKiadó, térinformatikában Debrecen. 237– IV.: our method in order to assist our landscape 243.Térinformatika pp. Konferencia és Szakkiállítás. design process. But derivatives of this method

Kertész, Á., Őrsi, A. & Tóth, A. (2014), Tájértékelés likeare capabletourism of destination supporting moremanagement, specific 351–362.térinformatikai pp. módszerekkel. http://real.mtak.hu/id/ In: Márkus, B. (Ed.). Térinformatika 2014. Székesfehérvár. distributionor more general logistics, fields public of transportation, development eprint/20226 utility development, education, senior care or military operations for example. Additional Kiss, I. (1996), A település(együttes)ek vizsgálata és base indices could be incorporated into the egybevetési módszertana, Polgári Tanácsadó assessment when more base data becomes analysisSzolgálat, with Budapest, GRASS. pp. Geomatics 1–215. Work-books. 7 available. A new thinking about spatial design Miorelli,http://geomatica.como.polimi.it/workbooks/ E. & Zatelli, P. (2006), Landscape relevance is underway, fuelled by big data.

Advancesn6/articoli/zatelli_visibilita.pdf. in Fuzzy Decision Making, Studies 6. References Skalna,in I.,Fuzziness Rębiasz, and B., Gaweł,Soft Computing, B., et al. Springer (2015), Advameg, I. (2015), Romania - Ethnic groups. International Publishing, Cham, http://link. Encyclopedia of the Nations. http://www. springer.com/10.1007/978-3-319-26494-3. nationsencyclopedia.com/Europe/Romania- Szabó, M. A. & Szabó, M. E. (2003), Erdélyi ETHNIC-GROUPS.html

ro/index.php.helységnévszótár, 2. átd. és jav. kiad, Kriterion, ANCPICadastral (2014), and Agenţiei Real Estate Naţionale Agency. de http://ancpi. Cadastru şi Tudor,Kolozsvár, C. (2014), http://szabo.adatbank.transindex. An Approach to Landscape roPublicitate Imobiliară. Website of the National Character Assessment. https://www.gov. Dir. 68/193/EEC (n.d.), Council Directive 68/193/ uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ EEC of 9 April 1968 on the marketing of material for the vegetative propagation character-assessment.pdf of the vine. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/ attachment_data/file/396192/landscape- dir/1968/193/oj Fuchs, C. (2010), Potentialbewertung,

www.d-w-v.de/drupal/cms/sites/default/ Nutzungskonflikte und Lösungsansätze. http://

files/beitraege_upload/WSM_Facharbeit_ Potentialbewertung_Nutzungskonflikte_Dr._ Fuchs_web.pdf