Producing an Indigenous Knowledge Web GIS for Arctic Alaska Communities: Challenges,Successes, and Lessons Learned

A traditional knowledge “Iñupiaq Web GIS”, based on a five‐year study and containing observations and environmental knowledge of Iñupiat communities indigenous to Arctic Alaska, was incorporated into a Web‐based platform. The website, “Arctic Cultural Cartography,” was created to be an open portal through which the password‐protected “Iñupiaq Web GIS” could be accessed. We discuss the process of developing the web GIS including the incorporation of user‐friendly features such as links to interactive maps, video clips of interviews, discussion boards, and the integration of popular web interfaces such as Facebook. We also discuss short‐ and long‐term goals for the further development of the GIS, its potential as a sustainable, participatory online database for sharing pertinent ecological knowledge, and challenges in achieving optimal community involvement given constraints imposed by remote locations with limited bandwidth.     

User Assessment as Input for Useful Geospatial Representations within Mobile Location-Based Services

Mobile Location‐Based Services (mLBS) are an increasingly consumer‐based concept borne from, and continually driven by, technology‐centred development; as opposed to the needs of end users. Where users have been made a focus, the research generally concerns issues of overall system appearance, functionality, information content and interaction methods, with little emphasis on the component geospatial representations. This paper describes the initial stages of a research project aimed at filling this void through the application of a qualitative User‐Centred Design (UCD) methodology for optimising geospatial representations within mLBS applications, in order to support a selected user group: Australian ‘leisure‐based travellers’. Presented in this paper is an account of two UCD activities adopted for the research. The first, user profiling, served to define the target user population in terms of their technological, geospatial and travel experiences, using an online questionnaire. The second, user task analysis, involved in‐depth interviews with a subset of users in order to obtain a deeper understanding of the geospatial goals, tasks, needs and preferences within the population, as well as the range of user differences and variability in tasks present. An overall user assessment, through combined analysis of the two result sets, highlighted considerations for the ongoing research, including a set of specific implications for the design of alternative models for geospatial services, representations and interactions. The themes described in this paper represent an initial and necessary component of UCD, which has been largely overlooked in research relating to mLBS. Whilst the focus here is on a specific user group and context of use, it is envisaged that many of the concepts tested and ratified by the resulting models will be relevant to mLBS applications in general.     

Understanding Today's Online GIS User Through the Lens of a WorldMap Survey

WorldMap is an open source online mapping application which aims to lower barriers for scholars who wish to visualize, analyze, organize, present, and publish mapped information. In late 2013, 290 respondents among the 8,000 registered users participated in an online survey in which they described their activities, purposes, experiences, and preferences regarding the system. Participants also described their professional background, GIS skill level, age, gender, and country of work. This study analyzes the results of the survey, by summarizing the responses to each question independently and by examining the relationships and dependencies of these answers across the different questions to try to better understand why users responded the way they did. The study is based on the user‐centered design (UCD) approach. We aim to use the survey results to improve our understanding of user demographics and needs. Findings from this study will be used to guide WorldMap improvements, and we hope the findings will also shed light on the broader requirements of online GIS users.     

Three‐dimensional indoor network accessibility auditing for floor plan design

Built environments have played an increasingly important and complex role in contemporary cities in the face of the significant number of discretionary and non‐discretionary event‐based activities that take place indoors, and the great variety of three‐dimensional designs that indoor spaces have grown to assume. However, intelligent tools that can assist designers to achieve high accessibility, particularly for large and complex buildings, are still underdeveloped. This article presents an innovative custom computer‐based design tool, dubbed FloorplanAAU (floor plan accessibility auditing), that couples GIS data modeling, indoor traversable network accessibility analysis, and interactive three‐dimensional visualization for built environments, to interactively evaluate and audit floor plans for high accessibility. The proposed method contributes to the success of applying GIS and transportation geography concepts to establish computational tools toward intelligent design and assessment of built environments.     

GeoPW: Laying Blocks for the Geospatial Processing Web

Recent advances in Web‐related technologies have significantly promoted the wide sharing and integrated analysis of distributed geospatial data. Geospatial applications often involve diverse sources of data and complex geoprocessing functions. Existing Web‐based GIS focuses more on access to distributed geospatial data. In scientific problem solving, the ability to carry out geospatial analysis is essential to geoscientific discovery. This article presents the design and implementation of GeoPW, a set of services providing geoprocessing functions over the Web. The concept of the Geospatial Processing Web is discussed to address the geoprocessing demands in the emerging information infrastructure, and the role of GeoPW in establishing the Geospatial Processing Web is identified. The services in GeoPW are implemented by developing middleware that wraps legacy GIS analysis components to provide a large number of geoprocessing utilities over the Web. These services are open and accessible to the public, and they support integrated geoprocessing on the Web.     

A Spatial Analysis System for Integrating Data,Methods and Models on Environmental Risks and Health Outcomes

Integrating data on health outcomes with methods of disease mapping and spatially explicit models of environmental contaminants are important aspects of environmental health surveillance. In this article, we describe a modular, web‐based spatial analysis system that uses GIS, spatial analysis methods and software services delivered over computer networks to achieve this end. The Environmental Health Surveillance System (EHSS) is a prototype system that is designed to serve three purposes: a secure environment for producing maps of disease outcomes from individual‐level data while preserving privacy; an automated process of linking environmental data, environmental models, and GIS tasks like geocoding for the purposes of estimating individual exposures to environmental contaminants; and mechanisms to visualize the spatial patterns of disease outcomes via Web‐based mapping interfaces and interactive tools like Google Earth.     

Geospatial Human‐environment Simulation through Integration of Massive Multiplayer Online Games and Geographic Information Systems

This article reports on the initial development of a generic framework for integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with Massive Multi‐player Online Gaming (MMOG) technology to support the integrated modeling of human‐environment resource management and decision‐making. We review Web 2.0 concepts, online maps, and games as key technologies to realize a participatory construction of spatial simulation and decision making practices. Through a design‐based research approach we develop a prototype framework, “GeoGame”, that allows users to play board‐game‐style simulations on top of an online map. Through several iterations we demonstrate the implementation of a range of design artifacts including: real‐time, multi‐user editing of online maps, web services, game lobby, user‐modifiable rules and scenarios building, chat, discussion, and market transactions. Based on observational, analytical, experimental and functional evaluations of design artifacts as well as a literature review, we argue that a MMO GeoGame‐framework offers a viable approach to address the complex dynamics of human‐environmental systems that require a simultaneous reconciliation of both top‐down and bottom‐up decision making where stakeholders are an integral part of a modeling environment. Further research will offer additional insight into the development of social‐environmental models using stakeholder input and the use of such models to explore properties of complex dynamic systems.     

“All the World's a Stage”: A GIS Framework for Recreating Personal Time‐Space from Qualitative and Quantitative Sources

This article presents a methodological model for the study of the space‐time patterns of everyday life. The framework utilizes a wide range of qualitative and quantitative sources to create two environmental stages, social and built, which place and contextualize the daily mobilities of individuals as they traverse urban environments. Additionally, this study outlines a procedure to fully integrate narrative sources in a GIS. By placing qualitative sources, such as narratives, within a stage‐based GIS, researchers can begin to tell rich spatial stories about the lived experiences of segregation, social interaction, and environmental exposure. The article concludes with a case study utilizing the diary of a postal clerk to outline the wide applicability of this model for space‐time GIS research.     

Student Learning in an Introductory GIS Course: Using a Project‐Based Approach

Introductory courses in Geographic Information Science (GIS) expose students to the concepts and practices necessary for future academic and professional use of GIS tools. Traditional GIS courses balance lectures in the theories of GIS with pre‐built and pre‐packaged lab activities to learn the practices of GIS. This article presents a case study of an experimental introductory course in which students conducted novel, independent project‐based group research under the supervision of graduate or advanced undergraduate students enrolled in the course, culminating in a class presentation and publication quality paper. Surveys and interviews indicated that students reacted more positively to project‐based group research than to traditional activities. Students felt the projects better prepared them for ‘real world’ applications of GIS, and recommend project‐based group research in other GIS coursework. Additionally, our findings indicate that students appreciate interactions with peers of varying skill levels and experiences, as these broaden their capabilities to work with other GIS users.     

Understanding Design with VGI using an Information Relevance Framework

Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) has the potential to offer benefits to end‐users over and above those of Professional Geographic Information (PGI). A multi‐methods approach, consisting of participatory observation, focus groups and diary studies, was used to study how VGI and PGI were actually used by a target user group. A theoretical framework of information relevance was used to understand the attributes of information that were most important in relation to the characteristics of the users' activity and their community. The key finding was that the discussion amongst GIS designers should not be whether to choose VGI or PGI as the information data set, but to consider which combination of VGI and PGI relating to different geographic features and task characteristics would best meet the users' needs. VGI is likely to be most relevant to the user when a geographic feature is dynamic rather than static in nature, and can also provide a level of detail that is unlikely to arise through PGI. These findings have implications for how different forms of information are most effective for different usage situations. Above all, a case is presented for the implementation of User Centred Design (UCD) principles when integrating VGI and PGI together in a single mashup‐based product.     

融合VISI的Web GIS人机界面交互设计

The fusion of VlSI （visual identity system Internet）, digital maps and Web GIS is presented. Web GIS interface interactive design with VISI needs to consider more new factors. VISI can provide the design principle, elements and contents for the Web GIS. The design of the Wuhan Bus Search System is fulfilled to confirm the validity and practicability of the fusion.     

Local Weighted Linear Combination

The article focuses on one of the most often used GIS‐based multicriteria analysis methods: the weighted linear combination (WLC). The WLC model has traditionally been used as a global approach based on the implicit assumption that its parameters do not vary as a function of geographical space. This assumption is often unrealistic in real‐world situations. The article proposes a new approach to GIS‐based multicriteria analysis. It develops a local form of the global WLC model. The range sensitivity principle is used as a central concept for developing the local WLC model. The principle postulates that the greater the range of criterion values is, the greater the weight assigned to that criterion should be. Consequently, the local criterion weight can be defined for each neighborhood within a study area as a function of the range of criterion values in a given neighborhood. The range of criterion values provides also the base for defining the local value function. The article presents the theory behind the local WLC modeling and illustrates an implementation of the model in a GIS environment.     

Overcoming challenges in developing more usable pedestrian navigation systems

This article presents an overview of a research project focusing on improving the usability of pedestrian navigation systems by following a User-Centered Design (UCD) approach. One of the main problems with those systems is how to adequately support and enhance the spatial interactions of a traveler to new urban areas, which is crucial for successful self-orienting and wayfinding. The methodology employed allows for conceptualizing, implementing and evaluating research prototypes that aim to satisfy the special user requirements. Outlined in this article are the techniques designed and integrated in the developed prototype, the methods used for their evaluation through field-based studies and the challenges encountered during this process. New techniques with a measurable impact on the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction of navigation were tested and found to dramatically enhance the sense of personal geo-identification in new places. Examples of those techniques are landmark visibility indication, multi-path routing based on time availability, multi-perspective landmark photos and reverse overview + detail maps. Overall, the outcomes of this research verify the capacity of UCD to help overcoming current usability issues with pedestrian navigation systems. By demonstrating an effective UCD methodology and discussing the lessons learned, we intend to aid the development of next generation navigation appliances.     

AJAX技术在地理信息服务中应用研究

GIS与Web服务的结合,为跨平台的地理信息共享和互操作提供了一种松散耦合、灵活的体系架构。而目前客户端对地理信息服务的调用大多是通过同步通讯方式工作的,客户端的每一个请求都要直接经过服务器的处理、返回并刷新整个页面,这不但加重服务器负担,占用了网络带宽,而且在服务器处理过程中,客户端无法完成其他工作。针对这种缺陷,本文将AJAX(Asynchronous JavaScript+XML)技术融入到Web服务中,并提出一种基于Ajax技术的Web应用模型,将其应用于地理信息服务中,提升了系统运行效率,改善了用户Web应用的体验。     

A web‐based visualization tool for exploring stakeholder conflicts in land‐use planning

This article describes an open source web‐based visualization tool for exploring stakeholder conflicts in land‐use planning. It implements a multi‐criteria, decision‐analytic framework which solves a conflict‐constrained knapsack problem in order to find Pareto efficient combinations of actions which maximize public value, given the conflict constraint. The user interface is centered around an interactive map in which geographical subareas are color‐shaded in proportion to the mean strength of preference for a particular chosen action within the population in the selected area. The aim of this work is to investigate the use of web technologies and formal problem‐solving methods for improving public participation in land‐use planning and support local governments in the pursuit of improved decision‐making. The tool was developed using the free statistical programming language R and the web application framework Shiny. Its usefulness is demonstrated through a case study in Upplands Väsby municipality in Stockholm County, Sweden. The article ends with a summary together with some ideas for future research and development.     

A GIS Toolbox for Measuring and Mapping Person‐Based Space‐Time Accessibility

This article presents a toolbox to compute and map person‐based accessibility indicators, based on classical time geography concepts. The intent is to provide GIS and urban planning practitioners with a user‐friendly and easily customizable tool. While it relies on well‐known concepts, the toolbox implements a major innovation in person‐based accessibility assessment by taking into account opening hours when measuring the accessibility of urban facilities. The toolbox can be downloaded from http://bit.ly/1h6yg5Z .     

A New GIScience Application for Visualized Natural Resources Management and Decision Support

This article presents two decision support plug‐ins in free GIS software: ArcGIS Explorer Desktop. The ubiquitous WebGIS Analysis Toolkit for Extensive Resources (uWATER) focuses on providing GIS analysis functions: spatial and attribute queries in the public services tool for users with limited access to commercial GIS software. The interface of uWATER is general enough to support decision‐making in numerous management issues in natural resources, economics and agriculture. The uWATER‐Pumping Assessment (uWATER‐PA) toolkit, on the other hand, is an extended package targeting the specific environmental issue of groundwater pumping impacts. The uWATER‐PA package is an excellent alternative to evaluating complex groundwater pumping assessment issues before investing significant time, labor, and funds in monitoring and detailed scientific study. It incorporates simulation of the physics of groundwater flow and user interaction into GIS software. A graphical user interface makes both data entry and interpretation of results intuitive to non‐technical individuals. Results are presented as colored drawdown maps and can be saved in GIS format for future dissemination. The impact of drawdown on existing wells can be characterized and mapped, through the use of uWATER's spatial query capabilities and the drawdown maps generated by uWATER‐PA.     

Building GIS web services on JXTA network

In recent years, Web services and Peer-to-Peer (or simply P2P) appear as two of the hottest research topics in network computing. On the one hand, by adopting a decentralized, network-based style, P2P technologies can make P2P systems enhance overall reliability and fault-tolerance, increase autonomy, and enable ad-hoc communication and collaboration. On the other hand, Web services provides a good approach to integrate various heterogeneous systems and applications into a cooperative environment. This paper presents the techniques of combining Web services and P2P technologies into GIS to construct a new generation of GIS, which is more flexible and cooperative. As a case study, an ongoing project JGWS is introduced which is an experimental GIS Web services platform built on JXTA. This paper also explores the schemes of building GIS Web services in a P2P environment.     

Building GIS web services on JXTA network

In recent years, Web services and Peer-to-Peer (or simply P2P) appear as two of the hottest research topics in network computing. On the one hand, by adopting a decentralized, network-based style, P2P technologies can make P2P systems enhance overall reliability and fault-tolerance, increase autonomy, and enable ad-hoc communication and collaboration. On the other hand, Web services provides a good approach to integrate various heterogeneous systems and applications into a cooperative environment. This paper presents the techniques of combining Web services and P2P technologies into GIS to construct a new generation of GIS, which is more flexible and cooperative. As a case study, an ongoing project JGWS is introduced, which is an experimental GIS Web services platform built on JXTA. This paper also explores the schemes of building GIS Web services in a P2P environment.     

Web‐based GIS Approaches to Enhance Public Participation in Wind Farm Planning

Planning information pertaining to the potential visual impacts of proposed construction developments is particularly important in the case of wind farm planning, given the high levels of concern amongst members of the public regarding the perceived negative visual impacts of wind turbines on the landscape. Previous research has highlighted the shortcomings associated with traditional visualization techniques used to assess these impacts, and also the means by which such information is then disseminated to the wider public during the consultation stages of the wind farm planning process. This research is concerned with examining the potential of Web‐based mapping and digital landscape visualization techniques for addressing some of these shortcomings. This article reports the findings of a Web‐based survey study designed to evaluate the potential of online GIS‐based approaches for improving the effectiveness and dissemination of wind farm visualizations and enhancing public participation in the wind farm planning process. Results from the survey study add to the research literature by demonstrating how innovative Web‐based approaches have real potential for augmenting existing methods of information provision and public participation in the planning process. The findings of this study are also potentially transferrable to other landscape planning scenarios.