Intro to Geographic Information Systems

Using the My World GIS

What is a GIS?
An information system that can collect, store, analyze, and display geographically referenced information GIS can be used for scientific investigations, resource management, and development planning.
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Geographic Data
Unit of geographic reference can be presented in many different ways:
Coordinate systems - Countries, cities, neighborhoods

How can it be used as a basis for scientific inquiry?

GIS and public health: Dr. John Snow

skeptic of the then dominant theory that diseases such as cholera was caused by ``bad air traced the source of a cholera outbreak in Soho, England, to one specific water pump using spatial analysis
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You can use GIS to:

Study the distribution of populations Study physical features of the earth and natural phenomena Identify patterns like clustering Inform decision making:
locations for starting a business or locating an event Identify target markets

Tie together disparate pieces of data to create maps

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Why GIS?
No development without planning No planning without spatial / geographical aspects (where?) GIS enables to visualize, analyze and manage the spatial aspects of any domain
Networks (water, electricity, transport) Agriculture Geology, Soils and Minerals Urban Planning Land Titles and Parcels Satellite or aerial images/ orthophotos

Prioritization

Spatial Data is National Infrastructure

Elevation Imagery Water Governmental Units Boundaries Cadastral / Parcels Vulnerable Populations Shelter
Migration

Water Quality Human Rights Critical Infrastructure Habitat Change Poverty

Transportation
Geodetic Control

Public Health

Like to travel? Curious about places?

Geographers study the make-up of places and what makes them tickculture, climate, economy, cities, borders, environment...

Worlds most expensive hotel, Dubai, UAE

Rice paddy

McDonalds Malaysia British-built train station, Mumbai, India

 Geographers use maps to find and explain relationships.

Cholera Outbreak London 1854

Like to use maps?

Doctor mapped cholera deaths; tracked the disease to contaminated water.

What is the spatial relationship between violent crime and on-premises alcohol sales?

Red = crime clusters Blue = clusters of bars Geography student research 2009

Municipal code violation in the City of Mount Pleasant, Michigan (2006)

Legend
!

Code violation

Map Analysis - Land use monitoring

Can you see any pattern in the locations of the code violations in the City of Mount Pleasant, MI? Urban geographers and land use planners study the spatial distribution of code violations in order to plan code enforcement.

Northeast quadrant Northwest quadrant Southwest quadrant Southeast quadrant

Suitable areas for locating landfills in Lucas County, Ohio

Map Analysis Planning

Can you envision a potential conflict in trying to locate a new landfill facility in Lucas County? Urban geographers and land use planners study the nature of such conflicts and ways of resolving them.

Location of Village of Berkey in Lucas County, Ohio

Do you like to use technology to solve problems?

Careers in GIS:
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Energy Exploration Military Intelligence Commercial Airline Pilot Urban/Regional Planning Economic Development Historic Preservation Environmental Science Urban Infrastructure Management Masters and Ph.D. students Community College professors/school teachers Transportation Analysts and many more!