URISA - Journal

Describing Urban Areas Using the V-I-S Model

wendy — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:29:18 -0500

Describing Urban Areas Using the V-I-S Model:
Modeling Salt Lake City, UT Metropolitan Area

Version 7/2008

Anonymous

Abstract:

A great diversity of land cover types is present in urban areas. This diversity makes urban areas spatially and spectrally heterogeneous, and in turn makes urban environmental modeling challenging. With an urban land cover based model, the V-I-S (Vegetation-Impervious surface-Soil) model, and a previously developed soft classifier, urban environments could be simplified and therefore represented as combinations of three basic urban components. With this simplification, urban environments could be described and analyzed quantitatively. Typical urban features were selected. The V-I-S compositions of these selected urban features are shown in a quantitative manner by various forms, such as tables, plots, feature space plots, and the V-I-S diagrams. This quantitative data provide bases for comparisons between different land cover/use types. In addition, spatial profiles are also drawn from the downtown area towards city boundaries to show the general trends of change in land cover composition across an urban landscape. As expected, impervious surface general decreases as one moving towards city boundaries, while vegetation or soil increases.

The Added Value of Geoportals

wendy — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:21:59 -0500

The Added Value of Geoportals: An Internet Marketing Perspective

Version 7/22/2008

P.A.J. van Oort, M.C. Kuyper, A.K. Bregt, J. Crompvoets

ABSTRACT

Despite the exponential growth in geoportals at all levels of organization, from local to worldwide, surveys indicate stagnating or even declining trends in visitor numbers. The cause of these trends is poorly understood. In this paper we present a marketing analysis of geoportals. We identify their main competitors, and the two domains in which geoportals can do better than their competitors: creating market transparency and supporting cross-selling. Also we discuss the importance of responding to user feedback and of giving feedback to users. We show what can be practically done by geoportals in those domains. A survey among 48 of geoportals indicates that those which are more active at providing market transparency also have more positive trends in visitor numbers. Other marketing variables were also positively correlated. The theory in this paper can be helpful for geoportal managers in setting up a marketing strategy and that it is worth doing so.

MAPPING LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGE IN THE OLOMOUC REGION, CZECH REPUBLIC

wendy — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:12:00 -0500

MAPPING LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGE IN THE
OLOMOUC REGION, CZECH REPUBLIC

Tomáš Václavík

ABSTRACT: The Olomouc region in the Czech Republic has undergone significant changes in the past several decades, including the change in political system of the country in 1989. Although the political and cultural transformation is generally recognized as an important driver of land use (Ptáček 2000), there have been few studies conducted that would empirically assess and quantify land use/land cover changes in the Czech Republic, especially in the context of the post-socialistic transformation (Fanta et al. 2004; Zemek et al. 2005). In this study, I present an approach for identifying major land use/land cover changes in the Olomouc region applying remote sensing techniques to compare data from multispectral satellite sensors acquired twelve years before and twelve years after the revolution in 1989. I pay closer attention to specific trends in land cover changes: changes in agricultural areas, forested areas, and residential development. The results support initial assumptions that the land cover will reflect the changes in human perception of landscape and natural resources, such as smaller need for intensive agriculture, shift to environmental friendly management of forested areas, or increased development and suburbanization.

Reinventing Mountain Settlements

sgrams — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:37:59 -0500

Reinventing Mountain Settlements: A GIS Model for Identifying Potential Ski Towns in the U.S. Rocky Mountains

(Version 4/1/08)

Anonymous

ABSTRACT: Former mining and ranching settlements in the U.S. Rocky Mountains frequently seek to reinvent themselves as the industries that created them have declined. Redevelopment as ski resorts is a common strategy but this approach, if undertaken without careful advanced planning, can have negative consequences, damaging fragile alpine environments, overwhelming social and housing services and distorting local economies. This study develops a GIS-based model that follows a systematic sequential elimination procedure to identify those settlements most vulnerable to ski resort development by evaluating all places in the Rocky Mountains in terms of the location criteria of existing ski areas. Results show that while no single potential settlement is an obvious candidate for development by the ski industry, a number of places are vulnerable in a way that can be systematically measured and evaluated. Moreover, the methodology used can be applied to additional areas subject to winter sports growth world-wide.

URISA Journal Volume 19, Number 2

sgrams — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:25:09 -0600

URISA Journal
Table of Contents
Volume 19, Number 1
2007

In this issue:

Using GIS to Measure the Effect of Overlapping Service Areas on Passenger
Boardings at Bus Stops
Thomas J. Kimpel, Kenneth J. Dueker, and Ahmed M. El-Geneidy
Teaching by Doing: PPGIS and Classroom-Based Service Learning
Marc Schlossberg and Darren Wyss
Worldwide Impact Assessment of Spatial Data Clearinghouses

read more

URISA Journal Volume 18, Number 2

sgrams — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:14:22 -0600

URISA Journal
Table of Contents
Volume 18, Number 2
2006

In this issue:

Australian Local Governments’ Practice and Prospects with Online Planning
Tan Yigitcanlar
Comparing GPS Receivers: A Field Study
Kindra Serr, Thomas Windholz, and Keith Weber
A User-Centered Model for Community-based Web-GIS
Nicholas Rattray
Calibration of a Simple Rainfall-runoff Model for Long-term Hydrological Impact

read more

Journal Online - Volume 19 Number 2

sgrams — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:37:23 -0600

URISA Journal
Table of Contents
Volume 19, Number 2

Download Volume 19, Number 2 in PDF format

In this issue:

An Assessment of GIS-Enabled Walkability Audits
Marc Schlossberg, Asha Weinstein Agrawal, and Katja Irvin
Institutional and Organizational Barriers to Effective Use of GIS by Community-
Based Organizations
Ann-Margaret Esnard
Coupling Multiagent Geosimulation and Spatial OLAP for Better Geosimulation
Data Analysis
Walid Ali, Bernard Moulin, Yvan Bédard, Marie-Josée Proulx, and Sonia Rivest
An Interoperable Portal Supporting Prototyping Geospatial Applications
Myra Bambacus, Phil Yang, John Evans, Marge Cole, Nadine Alameh, and Stephen Marley
A Comprehensive Process for Linear Referencing
Kevin M. Curtin, Greta Nicoara, and Rumana Reaz Arifin
When Data Sharing Becomes Institutionalized: Best Practices in Local
Government Geographic Information Relationships
David L. Tulloch and Francis Harvey

Note: Complete text of Journal articles are in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format

A Digital Terrain Model for the Management of Water Distribution Piping Nets

sgrams — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:47:34 -0600

A Digital Terrain Model for the Management of
Water Distribution Piping Nets: A Case Study

M.G. D’Urso and G. de Marinis

Version: 1/18/08

ABSTRACT: We illustrate the basic tasks which have been undertaken, with reference to a case study represented by a small town in the south of Italy, in order to generate a digital terrain model to be used as support for real-time management of water distribution piping nets. A graphycal interface has been implemented to connect the softwares employed for simulating the working conditions of the net and for generating the digital terrain model by showing how it allows the user for a real-time visualization of the plan of loads acting on the net and the relevant variations associated with regulation manoeuvres. Thus, it becomes possible for public companies supplying water distribution to address both a rational planning of water resources, reducing wastes due to losses in the nets or bad functioning, and an effective monitoring of the emergencies caused by breaks and/or substitution of pieces of pipes.

Consumer-grade GPS Measurement Accuracy in Open and Urban Settings

sgrams — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:10:19 -0600

Consumer-grade GPS Measurement Accuracy in Open and Urban Settings

Anonymous

Version 1/3/08

ABSTRACT: Consumer-grade GPS receivers are available for several hundred dollars or less and can be used for many measurement applications including collecting data for information systems provided that acceptable accuracies are achieved. We examined the measurement accuracy and reliability of six identical contemporary consumer-grade GPS receivers that collected data simultaneously at two distinct test courses. One test course was located in an open field while the other test course was placed under tree canopy and had several buildings blocking a view of the horizon. We also varied data collection techniques by using one, ten, and 30 point averaging intervals to examine the influence of different intervals on measurement accuracy and precision. Measurement accuracies for all GPS receivers averaged 1.8 m from true position at the open field course and 3.8 m from true position at the tree canopy course with variations depending on when the courses were visited. We also found that although six identical receivers were used to collect measurements simultaneously and in close proximity to one another, there were statistically significant differences in the measurement accuracies of the receivers. No statistically significant influence of different point averaging intervals (1, 10, and 30) on measurement accuracy was detected.

Reading, ‘Riting, ‘Rithmetic...GIS - The Fourth “R” in Education?

sgrams — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:18:23 -0600

Reading, ‘Riting, ‘Rithmetic...GIS - The Fourth “R” in Education?

(Version 11/7/07)

Donna L. Goldstein

ABSTRACT: For better or worse, computers have revolutionized every aspect of our lives. As we quickly make the transition from an industrial to an information age, computer literacy skills have become a basic necessity. Technology skills are now referred to as the "Fourth R" in education. To successfully learn and use GIS (Geographical Information Systems) technology, one must incorporate the skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Understanding and utilizing a GIS system requires a holistic combination of reading instructions, data, and maps; writing hypotheses, reports, and presentations; and using arithmetic to understand queries and spatial analysis. Thus the 4th R as it relates to GIS is a new elevated skill that incorporates the three original R’s in education. Teaching GIS may be just the boost our public educational system needs to adequately prepare students for entrance into the emerging global society.

URISA - Journal

Describing Urban Areas Using the V-I-S Model

Describing Urban Areas Using the V-I-S Model: Modeling Salt Lake City, UT Metropolitan Area

The Added Value of Geoportals

The Added Value of Geoportals: An Internet Marketing Perspective

MAPPING LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGE IN THE OLOMOUC REGION, CZECH REPUBLIC

MAPPING LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGE IN THE OLOMOUC REGION, CZECH REPUBLIC

Reinventing Mountain Settlements

Reinventing Mountain Settlements: A GIS Model for Identifying Potential Ski Towns in the U.S. Rocky Mountains

URISA Journal Volume 19, Number 2

URISA JournalTable of ContentsVolume 19, Number 12007

URISA Journal Volume 18, Number 2

URISA JournalTable of ContentsVolume 18, Number 22006

Journal Online - Volume 19 Number 2

URISA Journal Table of ContentsVolume 19, Number 2

A Digital Terrain Model for the Management of Water Distribution Piping Nets

A Digital Terrain Model for the Management of Water Distribution Piping Nets: A Case Study

Consumer-grade GPS Measurement Accuracy in Open and Urban Settings

Consumer-grade GPS Measurement Accuracy in Open and Urban Settings

Reading, ‘Riting, ‘Rithmetic...GIS - The Fourth “R” in Education?

Reading, ‘Riting, ‘Rithmetic...GIS - The Fourth “R” in Education?

Describing Urban Areas Using the V-I-S Model:
Modeling Salt Lake City, UT Metropolitan Area

MAPPING LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGE IN THE
OLOMOUC REGION, CZECH REPUBLIC

URISA Journal
Table of Contents
Volume 19, Number 1
2007

URISA Journal
Table of Contents
Volume 18, Number 2
2006

URISA Journal
Table of Contents
Volume 19, Number 2

A Digital Terrain Model for the Management of
Water Distribution Piping Nets: A Case Study