Geography 291: Geospatial Analysis with Desktop GIS

Chapter 1:

Chapter one introduced us to an essential component of our course, ArcGIS Pro, by allowing us to begin a tutorial and apply the concepts we’ve been reading about. In this chapter, we worked with a completed map in ArcGIS Pro showing the locations of urgent health care clinics in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. We began by reviewing key terms and exploring the basic elements of the map, such as the different layers. Next, we learned how to navigate the map effectively, examined its attribute data, and concluded by being introduced to map symbology, which helps visually represent different types of information.

Chapter 2:

In chapter 2, we learned how to design and symbolize thematic maps. A thematic map is created to investigate or solve a specific problem. These maps include one or more subject layers that are placed in spatial context with other supporting layers. The subjects of the thematic maps are most often vector layers, as they typically contain rich quantitative and qualitative data attribute data that are essential for analysis. However, rest layers can also be used. The spatial context layers may be either raster or vector and often include various basemap layers provided by ESRI.

Chapter 3:

Chapter 3 was focused on sharing maps with people who either don’t have access to ArcGIS Pro, or have limited GIS skills beyond basic map navigation and interpretation. In the first tutorial, we created a map layout containing two maps, which helped us develop the skills needed to design any type of layout with one or more maps. In section 2, we learned how to share ArcGIS Pro maps by publishing them to ArcGIS Map Viewer. Next, we explored how to create a story using ArcGIS StoryMaps, and we concluded the chapter by building a dashboard in ArcGIS Dashboards

 

Chapter 4-

This chapter I started to have a really fun issue, where I couldn’t run ArcGIS Pro on my desktop directly. It would continuously try to have me redownload it, so the only way I could open the software was through the tutorial files. So in order to complete tutorial 4-1 and 4-2, I had to open tutorial 4-3, and access the “create new project” option through there. I was confused on the shapefiles in 4-1, because they would keep disappearing when I added a new one, but then I learned you had to click open a new tool to save it. I also had trouble in 4-2 with deleting rows in the tables. I had to select them all individually and delete them instead of holding ctrl like the book suggests.  I kept getting error messages while trying to calculate the PercentPopYouth20 field, so I ended up skipping that part of the tutorial because it was frustrating me.

Chapter 5-

In this chapter, the first tutorials were simple, just teaching me different projections of the maps.  On the third tutorial everything went fine, until i went to change the coordinate systems to what the book instructed and it wasn’t there so I ended up skipping the California map.

 

Chapter 6-

In this chapter I learned how to use the pairwise dissolve tool to create neighborhoods.  Then I learned how to isolate different study areas using different “select by” tools. I also learned how to merge separate features using the “merge” tool, as well as adding features using the “append” tool. This chapter went very smoothly for me.

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Delaware Data Inventory:

Zip Code: All the zip codes in Delaware County

School District: All the school districts in Delaware County

Building Outline 2023: All the building outlines in Delaware in 2023

Street Centerlines: The center of pavement of roads in Delaware County

Address Points: All the addresses in Delaware County

Parcel: All of the cadastral parcel lines in Delaware County

Condo: All of the condos in Delaware County

Subdivision: All subdivisions and condos in Delaware County

Recorded Documents: All points of recorded documents in Delaware County, such as surveys and annexations

PLSS:  All the public land survey system polygons in both the US Military and the Virginia Military Survey Districts of Delaware County

Township: All 19 townships in Delaware County

Dedicated ROW: All right of way lines in Delaware County

Precincts: All voting precincts in Delaware County

Delaware County E911 Data: All addresses in Delaware County

Building Outline 2021: Building outlines for all structures in Delaware County in 2021

Original Townships: Original townships in Delaware County 

Map Sheet: All map sheets in Delaware County

Farm Lot: All farm lots in US military and Virginia Military survey districts in Delaware County

Annexation: All annexations and conforming boundaries, 1853 – now in Delaware County

Survey: Survey points that represent land surveys in Delaware County

Tax District: All tax districts in Delaware County

Hydrology: All major waterways in Delaware County

GPS: All GPS monuments from 1991 and 1997

Zip Code: All the zip codes in Delaware County, updated monthly. 

School District: All the school districts in Delaware County.

Building Outline 2023: All the building outlines in Delaware in 2023.

Street Centerlines: The center of pavement of roads in Delaware County.

Address Points: All the addresses in Delaware County. 

Parcel: All of the cadastral parcel lines in Delaware County.

Condo: All of the condominiums in Delaware County.

Subdivision: All subdivisions and condos in Delaware County, updated daily and published monthly. 

Recorded Document: All points of recorded documents in Delaware County, such as surveys and annexations. 

PLSS:  All the Public Land Survey System polygons in both the US Military and the Virginia Military Survey Districts of Delaware County.

Township: All 19 Townships in Delaware County. 

Dedicated ROW: All designated Right of Way lines in Delaware County.

Precincts: All voting precincts in Delaware County. 

Delaware County E911 Data: All certified addresses in Delaware County. 

Building Outline 2021: Building outlines for all structures in Delaware County in 2021.

Original township: Original townships in Delaware County before the tax districts changed the shapes.

Map Sheet: All map sheets in Delaware County.

Farm Lot: All farm lots in US military and Virginia Military survey districts in Delaware County.

Annexation: All annexations and conforming boundaries 1853-now in Delaware County. 

Survey: Survey points that represent land surveys in Delaware County. 

Tax District: All tax districts in Delaware County.

Hydrology: All major waterways in Delaware County. 

GPS: All GPS monuments from 1991 and 1997. 

 

Chapter 7 this chapter introduced a few tools for manual digitization by tracing. By using base maps we learned how to create new feature classes and use base maps or existing layers for digitizing features. we also used lidar as a reference for heads up digitizing. Next we edited existing features and created features for a university campus. We added new structures, additions, and renovations to existing buildings.



chapter 8- in section 1 of this tutorial we geocoded survey data collected by a Pittsburgh arts organization that holds and event each year. We used survey data if geocoded to look at potential marketing, philanthropy, and other forms of communication with its patrons. In section 2 we used the arts event data from section 1 to add street addresses and more detailed location data on attendees that would be desirable for the market. we also geocoded by street address to place unique points on the map for attendees.



Chapter 9- we took a step beyond using visualization of spatial data to answer questions and solve problems. We covered four spatial analytical methods: buffers, service areas, facility location models, and clustering. This included building buffers and estimating gravity models nearest pool from their residences. This analysis suggested which public swimming pools to keep open during a budget crisis. We also used cluster analysis to investigate demographic and spatial patterns of arrested persons for serious violent crimes. This chapter also introduced the network dataset which is used for estimating travel distance or time on a street network.

Chapter 4 we learned about working with spatial databases and databases in general. A database is a container for the data of an organization, project, or other undertaking for record keeping, decision making, analysis, or research. A file geodatabase is ESRI’s simplified database for storing geospatial data. Although geodatabases have a simple format, they are powerful spatial data containers and they allow data tables to be related and joined.

Chapter 5. Starting with working with world map projections. Geographic coordinate systems use latitude and longitude coordinates for locations on the surface of the Earth, whereas projected coordinate systems use a math transformation from an ellipsoid or a sphere to a flat surface. Next we gained experience with projections commonly used for maps of the continental US. You can either get accurate shapes and angles or areas but not both. After that setting projected coordinate systems came next. For medium and large scale maps use localized projected coordinate systems specifically tuned for a defined area to minimize distortion. Next, we worked with vector data formats which is essentially reviewing file formats commonly found for vector spatial data as well as geodatabases previously covered. Then we learned how to download geospatial data.

Chapter 6 geoprocessing is a framework and set of tools for processing geographic data. You must use geoprocessing tools to build study areas in a gis and perform tasks. We learned how to extract a subset of spatial features from a map using attribute or spatial queries; aggregate polygons into larger polygons; append layers to forma single layer; and use intersect, union, and tabulate intersection tools to combine features and attribute tables for geoprocessing.

Chapter one familiarized us with a component of our class ArcGIS Pro by starting the tutorial and putting into action what we’ve been reading about. we worked with a finished map in ArcGIS pro that had locations of urgent health care clinics in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. We started by reviewing key terms and going over the basics of the map such as the different layers. Then we learned how to navigate the map optimally. Then we reviewed attributes. and finished with being introduced to symbology on the maps



Chapter 2 we learned how to design and symbolize thematic maps. A thematic map strives to solve or investigate a problem. they consist of a subject layer or layers placed in spatial context with other layers. The subjects of thematic maps are commonly vector layers because such layers often have plentiful quantitative and qualitative attribute data that is essential for analysis. However you can of course use raster layers. Spatial context layers can be vector and theses layers can be in either raster or vector formats including many basemap layers provided by ESRI. I had to however had to skip over a section in chapter 2 section 4 because the attribute table was completely blank.



Chapter 3 the next chapter is about sharing the maps we just worked with people who don’t have access to ArcGIS pro or who do not have gis skills beyond basic map navigation. In the first tutorial we built a map layout with 2 maps this giving us a the skills to build any kind of layout with one or more maps. Section two we shared ArcGIS pro maps and published them in ArcGIS online as web maps and performing extra work on them using ArcGIS map viewer. next we learned about creating a story in ArcGIS story maps. we finished out with creating a dashboard in ArcGIS dashboards.

Delaware Map

 

 

 

Data Review:

1. PLSS: Contains all zip codes within Delaware County.
2. Township: Consists of the 19 townships that make up Delaware County. 
3. Delaware County E911 Data: Includes all addresses within Delaware County.
4. Building Outline 2021: Contains the building outlines for all structures.
5. Original Township: The original boundaries of townships in Delaware County before tax district changes. 
6. Street Centerlines – DXF: Shows the center of the pavement on all public and private roads in Delaware County. 
7. Recorded Document: Shows the location of miscellaneous documents recorded in the Delaware County Plat Books. 
8. Dedicated ROW: Displays the Right-of-Way lines within Delaware County.
9. Precincts: Consists of voting precincts within Delaware County. 
10. Address Points – DXF: Shows the exact location of the center of each building, as well as the address of each building in Delaware County. 
11. Parcel: Consists of polygons that represent the parcel lines within Delaware County.
12. Zip Code: All zip codes within Delaware County. 
13. School District: Shows all school districts within Delaware County. 
14. Building Outline 2023: Shows building outlines for all structures in Delaware County. 
15. Condo: Shows all condo polygons within Delaware County.
16. Subdivision: Consists of all subdivisions and condos in Delaware County.
17. Map Sheet: Consists of all map sheets within Delaware County.
18. Address Point: Representation of all certified addresses within Delaware County.
19. Farm Lot: Consists of all farmlots within Delaware County. 
20. Annexation: Contains all annexations and boundaries from 1853 to the present in Delaware County. 
21. Survey: Includes all surveys of land within Delaware County.
22. Tax District: Consists of all tax districts defined by the Auditor’s Real Estate Office in Delaware County.
23. Hydrology: Displays all major waterways (lakes, rivers, etc.) within Delaware County.
24. GPS: Identifies all GPS monuments established in 1991 and 1997 in Delaware County.

Delaware Data Inventory: 

Chapter 7: 

Chapter 7’s focus was on digitizing. The concepts learned in this chapter include editing polygon features, creating and deleting polygon features, using cartography tools, and transforming features. I found this chapter much easier to understand than the previous chapters and didn’t have any trouble following it. 

Chapter 8:

Chapter 8’s focus is on geocoding. What was gone over in this chapter was geocoding data using zip codes and geocoding using street addresses. I was having trouble getting the program to run the Collect Events tool as it kept coming up as an error. Other than that, I think this chapter went pretty smoothly.

Chapter 9: 

Chapter 9 is all about spatial analysis. In the chapter we learned about using buffers for proximity analysis, using multiple ring buffers, creating multiple ring service areas for calibrating a gravity model, using network analysis to locate facilities, and performing data cluster analysis. Honestly this chapter felt pretty complicated. I was definitely struggling more than I was in previous chapters. I was especially having trouble in 9.3 trying to symbolize the output polygons as I for some reason could not get them to show up.