Geography 291: Geospatial Analysis with Desktop GIS

Chapter 7:

I learned how to change the size of the outline and rotate it.

I also learned how to add and move vertex points. 

Lastly I learned how to delete different polygons.

Chapter 8:

In this chapter I learned how to use geocode data by zip code. 

I also learned how to rematch attendee data by zip code. 

Lastly I learned how to geocode street addresses. 

 

 

 

Chapter 9:

In this chapter I learned how to use buffers for proximity analysis. 

I learned how to spatially join service areas and pool tags. 

Lastly I learned how to be able to perform data cluster analysis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4:

• Adding a folder through the catalog pane allows you to import data from that folder into your current project
• Older shape files can be converted to feature classes in order to fully utilize them in arcgis.
• Arcgis allows you to selectively create, modify or delete fields within a features data table and use python expressions to manipulate the data held within them.
• Joining data tables together allows you to select only the data you need for your application from a much larger set.
• Sums, averages, concatenations and many other operations can all be completed on data fields using Python expressions.
• Using SQL queries, data can be sorted through to find only the information relevant to your search by using search terms along with boolean operators.
• Spatial joins allow you to count the number of a feature within a bounding region and output it to a new layer.

Chapter 5:

• Since the earth is a sphere, but maps are usually displayed on a 2D surface, various map projections are used to translate the 3D surface onto a 2D one, with various drawbacks and advantages to each
• The Robinson Projection is best for general uses where the whole earth needs to be shown
• The larger the region you are trying to display, the larger the amount of distortion that the map will have, no matter the projection used
• Shapefiles are a common data type used for vector data in GIS software.
• Spatial data can often be found and downloaded for free on the internet, allowing you to select only the data you need for your project.
• Living Atlas gives you access to large quantities of geospatial data that you can download directly into your current project through the add data button

Chapter 6:

• GIS allows you to aggregate data by dissolving or combining finer groups into more general ones
• You can clip a larger map down to a single region to more closely match the focus of your project
• You can append data sets together to create a single larger feature class
• The union tool lets you combine two polygon feature layers into a single output layer

 

 

Saving Project Name

 

Project (next to map,insert, analysis, etc tab) → save project as

 

Name Tutorial number Name.aprx

 

Displaying a Map

 

Bookmarks→map of choice

 

Basemaps

 

Basemaps = layers for what you wish to represent (rivers, topography, etc)

 

Contents Pane

 

View + Pane = select contents 

 

Contents = selector for what layers you wish to eliminate and keep 

 

Catalog Pane

 

 View tab → windows group → Catalog Pane

 

Allows for easy access to all project components

 

Export Layer tool

 

Share tab (after project, map, insert, etc under the logo in left top corner) → export layer

 

Saving Images

 

1. On the File Type drop-down menu, click PNG.

 

1. For Name, click the Browse button, browse to save the file to your top, and rename it FQHCAndUrgentCareClinics.png.

 

150. For Resolution, type 150.

 

1. On the Color Depth drop-down menu, click 24-bit True Color.

 

1. Click Export to run the tool.

 

T: 1-2 Navigating Map Display

 

Navigation of Map

 

Map tab→full extent→explore button = center map/info on features

 

Bottom right buttons do things

 

Wheel button Zooms in 

 

Map Back button

 

Map tab→Navigate→ arrows

 

Turing all Feature classes on/off = ctrl on press hold + check box click = on/off for all

 

Bookmarks

 

Bookmarks = zooms to thing you select

 

Creating new bookmarks = bookmarks (navigate) + new bookmark + name

 

Manage bookmarks = bookmarks (navigate) + manage bookmarks

 

Selecting Attributes data = Right clicking + attribute table + select by attribute = where + Name + is equal to + location 

 

 

 

CHAP 4:

•  Works with spatial databases and databases in general
• You can open folder connections in the right click menu under folders, which will let you access the files without having to locate them every time
• there is a geoprocessing tool which can make a shapefile into features called “Export Features”
• Databases can be inputted from .csv files and be made copied and such in the catalog tab
• You can populate fields with the Calculate Field tool
• GIS synthaxing is in python script
• Attribute queries help one search database information
• The Spatial Join tool is cool and useful

CHAP 5:

• The grid on the first map is called a graticule and is 30 degrees intervals
• You can add projects to a spatial map – whats the difference between a projection and a bookmark?
• You can look up the coordinate system of the USA on ArcGIS’s living atlas- what coordinate systems would I need to know for the rest of the world?
• You can download census data to use for GIS projects pretty easily on the gov’s website and other stuff on living atlas

CHAP 6:

• You can use the dissolve block group to separate blocks into specific neighborhoods
• You can clip attributes to areas to better study a specific area
• You can intersect features

Chapter 7:

• In this chapter, I learned how to trace, select, and move, and rotate polygons. 
• I learned how to add vertices under the edit tab.
• The lasso tool is used to drag vertices and change the polygon shape, and the split tool is to split a polygon. 
• Creating a polygon: On the Edit tab, in the Features group, click Create. In the Create Features pane, click the desired feature, and confirm that Polygon is selected. On the Configure toolbar, with the Line button active, click to add points and draw a feature outlining the polygon. Double-click the last vertex point to finish the polygon.
• Delete polygons also using the delete button in the edit tab after selecting the polygon you want to delete. 
• Use the trace tool to create a polygon feature: On the Edit tab, click Create, and turn Snapping on. In the Create Features pane, click the layer you want and then the Trace button.
• Use the smooth polygon tool when creating the vertices of a new path. A shorter length will result in a more detailed (or smoother) path but will take longer to process.
• Transforming polygons: Turn off the base map layer. Then with the features you want selected, on the edit tab in the features group, click modify. In the Modify Features pane, click the Transform button. Under transformation Method, click Similarity 2D, and click Add New Links. Then, draw lines from vertices to where you want to move your polygon to. 

Chapter 8:

• Create locator -> put in appropriate fields -> run (geocodes survey data). In the Catalog pane, expand Locators, right-click the layer you want, and click Properties. Click Geocoding Options, and expand Match Options.
• Rematch addresses: In the Contents pane, right-click Attendees, click Data, and click Rematch Addresses.
• Symbolize using the Collect Events tool: Search for the collect events tool, apply settings, and run the tool. 
• Geocode addresses -> fill in fields -> run (converts addresses to geographical locations).
• There was very little in the tutorials for this chapter, mainly just geocoding, looking at attribute tables, and sorting data. 

Chapter 9:

• The pairwise buffer tool dissolves interior lines of overlapping buffers, merging them into a single buffer.
• Buffer rings create concentric zones around input features. (Multiple ring buffer tool).
• This chapter had more spatial join tool practice.
• Making a scatterplot example for this tutorial: In the Contents pane, select Polygons_Tags_Pop. On the feature layer’s Data tab, in the Visualize group, click Create Chart > Scatterplot. In the upper left, above Contents, click Chart Properties. In the Chart Properties pane, for X-Axis Number, click AverageTime; for Y-Axis Number, click UseRate.
• On the Analysis tab, in the Workflows group, click Network Analysis > Location-Allocation. Click the Location-Allocation layer tab. In the Input Data group, click Import Facilities, and apply necessary settings. Click Import Demand Points, and apply necessary settings. In the Travel Settings group, for Direction, click Towards Facilities, and type x amount for Facilities. In the Problem Type group, for f(cost, β), click Exponential. For β, type 0.25, and press Tab. Run the model. For this tutorial, this is how specific pools were located (by cost efficiency).
• Data Cluster Analysis: Multivariate Clustering tool -> apply settings -> run the tool.

Chapter 4:

This chapter focuses on classifying with different types of methods, symbology, and labeling. The different types of classification affect the way the patterns show up on the maps. We also learned about ways to make the maps cleaner such as basemaps, techniques for labeling, and transparency. The goal was to turn the information into readable on the map.

Chapter5:

Locating data accurately through coordinate systems was a main point of this chapter. Address locators, geocoding, and adding x,y data tables to make features was introduced. Aligning layers properly was also an important topic.

Chapter 6:

This chapter gave us ways to answer spatial analysis questions through buffers, overlays, and proximity tools. These were used to study spatial relationships between each other and the features. Differnt spatial and attributes were compared this helped me to understand how both data and geography can be used to filter information and answer questions. 

 

Chapter 4

4-1: Importing data, setting up a folder connection, converting a shapefile to a feature class, importing a data table into a file geodatabase, and using database utilities.

• This was all fairly straightforward, but I was glad to familiarize myself more with the folder structure, as I’ve never really used folders outside of this class before.

4-2: Deleting unneeded columns, adding a field and using the Calculate Field tool, joining a data table to a feature class attribute table, exporting a feature class, calculating a sum of fields, calculating percentages, and extracting fields.

• Again, this chapter was pretty easy, but I did struggle with deleting unneeded columns at first because I couldn’t find the “Delete” button. Overall, I thought that this subchapter included some pretty useful features that have very modern applications. 

4-3: Viewing crime incidents, creating a date-range query, reusing a saved query, using OR connectors and parentheses, day-of-week range, and querying person attributes.

• This was probably my favorite subchapter so far, because I felt like a detective or something like that, trying to find crime statistics and locations of certain crimes. Using actual code was something new that I learned, although it was pretty basic coding. 

4-4, 4-5, 4-6: Building a spatial join, creating a central point feature class, creating a point layer, and making a one-to-many join.

• These subchapters were all pretty straightforward, although I did run into some trouble with the Calculate Geometry Attributes tool, and was a little confused on the formatting, but I figured it out in a few minutes. 

Chapter 5

5-1, 5-2, 5-3: Using coordinate systems

• This was also pretty useful information, as I was able to change the way that the map was oriented and focus on different locations and regions. I had no issues with these subchapters. 

5-4: Shapefiles, adding x,y data, converting KML files to feature classes.

• This subchapter was a bit more complicated, as I am still familiarizing myself with files and other computer features, but it didn’t take me too long to figure it out.

5-5: Downloading census data and files, processing data in microsoft excel, adding data to ArcGIS, and joining data and creating a chloropleth map.

• This subchapter was very hard for me, and I ran into a lot of problems using excel spreadsheets and downloading census data. The first time that I downloaded the Commuting Characteristics by Sex table, not all of the data was displayed in the spreadsheet, so I had to troubleshoot and redownloaded the data following the steps more carefully. 

5-6: Adding a land use layer, extracting raster functions, downloading contours from a government organization, and downloading local data from a public agency hub.

• I liked this subchapter (and the previous one, excluding the issues I had) because it used data from Hennepin County in Minnesota, which is where I am from, so it was cool to apply GIS to something that relates to me. I didn’t run into any of the issues like in 5-5, but it took me longer as I was very careful in following the instructions to download data correctly. 

Chapter 6 (Disclaimer: I completely forgot to take pictures of my work from this chapter, and will edit this post with pictures the next chance I get)

6-1: Dissolve fields and dissolve block groups.

• This was all pretty straightforward, but I did struggle a bit with the “Your turn” section as I had to retrace my steps from the first portion of the subchapter and was confused on exactly what to put in the input and output fields. 

6-2: Creating a study area, creating study area block groups, and clipping streets.

• I had no issues with this subchapter, as I am familiar with all of the features.

6-3, 6-4: Merging features, and appending features.

• The merge and append tools were very easy to use, and I had no issues. 

6-5: Intersecting features, summarizing street length.

• This was all pretty straightforward, and I found the tools to be very useful.

6-6: Calculating acreage, and summarizing residential land-use areas.

• This felt similar to some of the previous subchapters, almost repetitive at this point. 

6-7: Using tabulate intersection.

• This was something new, but I found the tool pretty easy to use.

Chapter 1

• ArcGIS- integrated collection of geographic information system software developed by Esri

• ArcGISPro- 64-bit desktop GIS application that uses a ribbon interface for 2D and 3D mapping

• Feature class- basic building block for displaying geographic features on a map

• • • Homogenous layer on map
    • Vector data with corresponding attributes for each feature

• Raster dataset- major type of spatial data that is a picture made up of a bunch of pixels

• File geodatabase- with extension.gdb that stores feature classes, raster datasets, and other related files

• Project- file with extension.aprx that contains one or more maps and related items

• Basemap helps orient users to location
  • ex:

• Catalog pane provides access to all components in ArcGIS project
  • Can create map with heading through this

Tutorial 1-2

• Learned how to find attribute data for a feature
• Learned how to zoom in on feature
  • 
• Spatial bookmarks allow you to zoom to preset map views
• Can right click feature to get attribute table

Tutorial 1-3

• Can change order of attributes, names and displayed names of attributes, see data types, delete attributes, and make only certain attributes visible
• Learned more about how to navigate attribute table

Tutorial 1-4

• Learning how to change symbols for feature classes (color, shape)
• Explored 3D maps
• 

Chapter 2

• Thematic map- consists of a subject layer/s (theme) placed in spatial context with other layers
• Make subject prominent while placing spatial context layers in the background

Tutorial 2-1

• Context layers often displayed using outlines with no color fill
  • Water features exception- blue color, no outline
  • 

Tutorial 2-2

• Learning how to label all layers of map
• Learned how to filter out duplicate labels

Tutorial 2-3

• Use definition query to limit features to a desired subset of the larger collection based on values in feature attribute table
• 

Tutorial 2-4

• Choropleth map- uses color in polygons to represent numeric attribute values

• • Use classification methods to display data (default method is natural breaks)
    • Uses algorithm to cluster values of numeric attributes into groups
    •  

Tutorial 2-5

• Learning to display polygon data in their centers

Tutorial 2-6

• Choropleth map showing population useful for studying needs like demand for goods and services
• Choropleth maps of normalized data provide different data than choropleth maps of total population
  • Normalized = segment of population divided by total population
• Density maps also form of normalized maps
• Can import and reuse symbology

Tutorial 2-7

• Dot density maps can be used to denote quantitative values
• Display a total number randomly across a statistical unit

Tutorial 2-8

• Visibility ranges automatically turn layers and labeling on and off, depending on zoom
• Small scale- 1:50,000,000
• Large scale- 1:24,000
• Can turn a feature layer on or off using visibility ranges

Chapter 3

Tutorial 3-1

• Building map layout that has two maps
• Had some troubles here loading second map
• Learned how to add legends beside maps
• Because of struggles displaying the second map, I wasn’t able to follow the instruction for the create charts section

Tutorial 3-2

• Learning how to publish and share ArcGIS maps online
• Learning how to access our maps using ArcGIS Online
• I realized I have been signed into somebody else’s ArcGIS Pro this whole time…
• 

Tutorial 3-3

• Learned how to create story on ArcGIS Online
  • Added various headers, subheadings, paragraph texts, and maps
  • 

Tutorial 3-4

• Dashboards- visual displays of data feeds in an easy-to-understand format, usually with map as center of focus

• Learned how to create a dashboard
• Had issues filling screen with map, so I couldn’t finish the very last part

Chapter 4: This chapter was very helpful in learning how to label, organize, and combine data.I did have a few struggles within this chapter. My main struggles were in 4-1 and 4-2. In 4-1, the chapter told me to paste some of the data into a different folder so that it was available in multiple places. However, I was only able to paste one of the data sets into the correct folder. The other data set didn’t give me the option to paste it. Additionally, at the end of 4-1, the instructions told me to delete the tracts file from the geodatabase. This permanently deleted the information on that file. However, in 4-2, I needed the information on the file. I think that this is a part of the chapter that I might have to go back and redo to figure out if I messed that part up. Something that I thought was interesting was the use of parentheses to order attributes when selecting them. Another thing that I thought was interesting was the ability to select for specific attributes. While this can become a little confusing if it isn’t selected perfectly, it can be super useful when trying to narrow down the data on the map. I had some more struggles in 4-5. In this section, I struggled selecting the field in the attribute table for the neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. The book told me to select fields X and Y, but neither of those fields was an option, and I was not able to create them as an option. I also had struggles with the table in 4-6. In this table, the book wanted me to insert rows to assign categories to the crime types. However, the table wouldn’t allow me to insert any rows into it.

Chapter 5: While this chapter provided me with a lot of solid information, I ran into quite a few issues. In 5-1 to 5-3, it was super interesting learning about different coordinate systems and different easy-to-display maps. I never thought about how distorted a map may appear on a flat vs a rounded surface. The last part of 5-3 was where I began running into issues. The chapter didn’t provide any information on how to create your own map and add counties to it. I also ran into a few issues with displaying the libraries in 5-4; however, I was able to figure it out using a different method than the one the chapter explained in the book. In 5-5, I thought it was very interesting how many different websites held data that you could download and place onto a map in ArcGIS. In this section, I ran into quite a few problems. My first problem was that when using the Convert Table into Geodatabase tool, the BikeWorkData did not appear in my contents page. After about 30 minutes of trial and error, I eventually gave up and was not able to do any further work with the table since it would not appear. Additionally, in this section, the Light Grey Base didn’t have any valid data. I am wondering if this is connected with the table not appearing. I was also not able to figure out how to calculate the field tools. I entered the information that the book told me, but the tool said it wasn’t successful even after multiple attempts. Because of this, I wasn’t able to do any further work with this section. The last problem that I ran into was at the end of 5-6. When I searched transportation on the website linked in the chapter, bicycle count stations were not an option. There were only options for the bike paths.

Chapter 6: This chapter was very helpful in explaining specific examples of the many ways that GIS can be used by fire stations. I luckily didn’t have many struggles in this chapter. One of my struggles was that since I wasn’t able to create one of the tables in the previous chapter, I never learned how to combine tables. In this chapter, I tried to combine the tables, but a lot of the data ended up disappearing, so I’m not sure I did it correctly. I went back to the chapter to try to go over how to combine tables, but I am still quite confused about it. Additionally, I have completely forgotten how to select features on an attribute table. It would be more helpful if the chapter reviewed how to do this; however, I will have to return to previous chapters and review it myself. Something that intrigued me was how you could examine overlapping points of data to determine which streets, neighborhoods, and people were inside each fire zone. One of the most important things that I learned from this week’s chapter is not to work on this course at night. Staring at a computer and trying to problem solve when you are tired never ends well and just leads to you going to sleep frustrated.

Chapter 4).

In this chapter we actively worked with geodatabases through which data can be stored, analyzed, and more. In specific terms we worked on storing feature classes and raster data. Data tables can be related and joined. Something important to remember is that attribute, field, variable, and column are interchangeable names for the columns of data tables, and record, row, and observation are interchangeable names for the rows in a data table. We worked to use a shapefile which is a spatial data format for a single point, line, or polygon layer. I included a screenshot of my work converting a shapefile to a feature class and the tools used. 

In 4-2 we worked on deleting, creating, and modifying attributes as a crucial part of processing and display of our data. I included a screenshot of modifying attribute tables, particularly delete unneeded columns. As you can see in the table, only the needed five attributes remain at the top. 

For 4-2, step 4, there was only one basemap showing activated in the contents pane, not two of them. I included the your turn work for 4-2 in which I worked to modify the attribute table first through working in the fields section of data design. I also modified an alias, particularly the name field and changed it to the alias of city. This is shown in my screenshot. 

I extracted substring fields and concatenating string fields, calculating attribute fields, and sorting things around via the MaricopaTracts attribute table. There is a lot that goes on here and while I got through it no problem I don’t think I’ll be able to reproduce all of the steps right away. I think it is however super cool how we can extract parts of text strings and reassemble them into a new text field and calculate a range of values through precise expression inputs. In 4-3, I practiced carrying out attribute queries. The main function here is that essentially an attribute query selects attribute data rows and spatial features based on attribute values. There are simple and compound SQL criteria. 

In 4-3, step 7 of the query a subset of crime types using OR connectors and parentheses section: All of my dots were staying that light sky blue color on the map even though I had burglaries as green and robberies symbolized correctly with a dark red. I had no problem with the subsequent your turn exercise in which I edited the query and symbolized the burglaries with a dark red. For the last my turn exercise in tutorial 4 in section 4-6, I tried to symbolize crimes by giving each crime a different symbol but it didn’t go too well I think because there was a null class that was showing. The map didn’t look visually appealing and was hard to read as the null symbol was covering everything. 

I included a screenshot of the your turn exercise for 4-4 in which I created a choropleth map using graduated colors. The reason the red dots are still present is because I was yet to turn off the crime offenses layer.

Graduated symbols for the next your turn exercise for the following tutorial 4-5 is below. I created a point layer with the output features class of BurglariesByNeighborhoodPoints and then symbolized things. 

Chapter 5).

In the chapter five tutorial we explored sources of spatial data. We took a look into ArcGIS Living Atlas and both a US federal and a local data source. We worked with map projections and coordinate systems. I was unable to participate in some of the work in this tutorial as I am a strong believer in a flat Earth. Some really cool and meaningful questions come up in this chapter.   

I was unable to do tutorial 5-2 step 3 of the section called set projected coordinate systems for the United States. I tried clicking the USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic about three or four times and every time it would freeze my ArcGIS Pro and I would have to fully shutdown my computer to get anything to load again. I simply proceeded to the your turn exercise that followed. When I tried implementing the different projections to the US map the same thing occurred. Given this 5-2 tutorial was very short and I understood the main point, I just moved on. 

In 5-3, I added a new layer to set a map’s coordinate system and then I added a layer that uses geographic coordinates. I include a screenshot of this and the symbology work with the tracts and multiplies layers is also shown. 

Tutorial 5-5 was super tough to get through and there were a lot of steps that required you to memorize and apply past steps and so I had to go back and remind myself but I got through it and the end result felt nice. As you can see in the screenshots below I joined data and created a choropleth map. I explored things by turning layers on and off. 

My next photo is from 5-6 where I was downloading geospatial data and extracting raster features for Hennepin County. There were a lot of technicalities and difficulties here too but with some time and going back to certain things for assistance, I was able to pull it through. 

For the very last part of tutorial 5-6, in which I attempted to download local data from a public agency hub, there was NO option for bicycle count stations (step 2). I tried downloading the data for the Hennepin County Bike and Pedestrian System but this did not work well. I’ve included a screenshot of the results when I tried to access the data for bicycle count stations via the agency hub.

Chapter 6).

In chapter 6 we furthered our understanding of geoprocessing. We used geoprocessing in past chapters but we built on its capacity here. Something significant we did is we used intersect, union, and tabulate Intersection tools to combine features and attribute tables for geoprocessing.

I included a screenshot for the first your turn exercise where I dissolved fire companies to create battalions and divisions.

At the end in tutorial 6-7, I studied the usage of the tabulate intersection tool. I worked with some interesting maps that relate to real world matters through exploring tracts and fire company polygons. I then used the used tabulate intersection to apportion the population of persons with disabilities to fire companies. The screenshot shows a zoom to fire company 76 and the next displays the DisabledPersonsPerFireCompany table that I created after running the tool. The last thing I did in this tutorial was use the summary statistics tool to create a TotalDisabledPersonsPerFireCompany table. I like how these processes and the work we practice here can and are used in the real world for planning purposes or joined to fire companies for map creation. Overall, I am feeling a bit more comfortable with things, but there is still a decent amount of confusion and I consistently have to refer back to previous steps and chapters for support.

 

Start work week 5 for final assignment:

Steps 1 and 2:

Zip code Data Layer:

In 2003, the zipcodes for Delaware County were reworked. When evaluating zip codes, there is collaboration between the Census Bureau, the United States Postal Service, and the U.S. Treasurer’s office. It says this data set is updated as needed but does not give specifics. It says it is published monthly, I guess indicating that any changes will only be seen on a monthly basis. 

Street Centerline Data Layer:

Ran by the The State of Ohio Location Based Response System. This is something I’ve never heard of before. Focuses on the center of pavement of both public and private roads. Some main functions are to assist emergency response teams, manage disasters, and even geocoding which we learned about this week. All fields are updated daily but 3-D fields are updated once a year. 

Recorded Document Data Layer. 

Involves record documents like annexations, vacations, or miscellaneous documents within the county. It says the data points show record documents within the county recorder’s plat books, cabinet/slides and instruments records. Not too familiar with these terms but above all, I have no idea what a plat book is. Can be helpful for locating lost or miscellaneous county documents. 

Survey Data Layer:

Point coverage that shows surveys of the land within the county. The recorder’s office and map department manage survey points. Up to May 2004, GIS staff scanned the surveys but after 2004 the map department took over. Important for providing legal and authorized info about land features and boundaries. 

GPS Data Layer:

GPS monuments in the ground or survey benchmark devices from 1991 and 1997. Why does it just include those established during these two years? I’m guessing this can be used for location data and important planning, management, and emergency services. Geographic patterns through GIS makes GIS even more powerful. I remember mentioning this in my post during week one I think it was.  

Parcel Data Layer:

Includes polygons of the official boundary lines that define a specific plot of land within a public record. Public record geometries are managed by the DelCo auditor’s GIS office. Any changes made are managed by the county recorder’s office. Important for providing detailed information on land use, land ownership, and I read land value as well. 

Subdivision Data Layer:

Managed by the county recorder’s office. Subdivisions mean that a large plot of land was divided into smaller parcels. The summary mentions condos as for example, a condo project can be a type of subdivision. Critical for urban planning, real estate, and governance at large. 

School District Data Layer:

Shows all school districts within the county. Important for data-centered decision making to improve education and schooling circumstances, thus bettering students. I think this data layer is important for resource allocation and makes that distribution more equitable. Facilities of schools can also be managed effectively with this data. 

Tax District Data Layer:

Shows all tax districts managed by the county auditor real estate office. Mentions that data is dissolved on the tax district code I guess meaning that data for a certain geographic area is done with or being merged due to an issue with whoever originally created the code. Important for municipal finance like billing and collection as well as property tax assessment. Can also be used for community planning and helping locals maybe understand what services they can get and whatnot. 

Township Data Layer:

This layer shows the 19 townships within DelCo. It shows very clear legal boundaries. Important for tracking and defining property rights especially if there is a large land tract or agricultural tracts. Also important for understanding how the township plays into the administrative duties of local, state and federal levels of governance. Looking at township data can be super useful for infrastructure projects and development.

Annexation Data Layer:

Data all the way back from 1853 to the current day that shows the county’s annexations and conforming boundaries. Important for showing how boundaries change and helps with many government functions. Super significant for census and demographic data and the Census Bureau relies heavily on this data layer.  

Address Point Data Layer:

Shows all certified addresses within the county and shows the location of the building’s centroid. Very helpful for reporting accidents or emergency situations. Has the capacity to reverse geocode a set of coordinates to provide the closest address which is highly useful for emergency response teams. I never really thought about this reverse geocoding but it is something that definitely occurs and is vital for say the police to find a suspect of the location of a crime. 

PLSS Data Layer:

Includes the public land survey system polygons for the US Military and the Virginia Military Survey Districts of the county. I’m not familiar with these US Military the Virginia Military Survey Districts but I can assume the PLSS layer is crucial for government records and legal descriptions for like when property is bought or sold per say. I read that in some cases historical land division and ownership regulations of guidelines still impact modern day property lines and so forth. 

Building Outline 2023 Data Layer:

Updated in 2023, this layer includes all the building outlines for all structures in the county. I think that this accurate representation of every structure is significant in general but I can see this layer being used a lot for urban planning considering the rise of urbanization as well as maybe things like smart cities or eco friendly cities. 

Condo Data Layer:

All of the condominium polygons for the county. As mentioned earlier in the subdivision data layer section, a condominium project is an example of a subdivision so this is kind of redundant unless condos are something incredible and it gives insight into this. I understand if this is used to focus strictly on condos but I don’t see why it can’t serve the same purpose in the subdivisions layer unless I am missing something here.

Farm Lot Data Layer:

Again there is this involvement of the US Military and the Virginia Military Survey Districts of the county for this layer that shows all the farms. Critical for modern agriculture and land management, helpful for maybe the efficiency of operations. Can help farmers and can help improve land and resource management that helps the economy and everyone. 

Precincts Data Layer:

Shows all of the precincts in the county. Helped run by the county board of elections. Helps to show and analyze voting patterns. This is important overall for supporting informed decision making in all election fields especially in the election and voting climate we live in today. Displays voting behavior and demographics. 

Delaware County E911 Data Layer:

This is a major one used to contribute to the pursuit of accurate and efficient emergency responses. Provides emergency dispatchers with emergency location and gives these first responders significant geographic data. The summary of the layers describes that it gives a spatially accurate representation of all certified addresses so these 911 events are handled smoothly. 

Original Township Data Layer:

Not much summary for this one but I guess it is used as like a legally-binding record for land ownership and administration and things like that. The layer description mentions that original boundaries of the county townships are shown. There is an indication that this layer is significant because these boundaries came before tax district changes modified their shapes and so forth. 

Dedicated ROW Data Layer:

This layer shows all lines classified as right – of – way in the county. This layer maps and helps to manage areas of land use like transportation and utilities. This is important because while a probity wonder may own a part of the land, the public has the right to use the land for a certain purpose like I mentioned before. I can see how this can create conflict with landowners or homeowners and such. 

Building Outline 2021 Data Layer:

Updated in 2021, this layer shows the outlines for all structures in the county. I already read about the building outline 2023 layer and so I’m confused on why this earlier layer would be used. Especially for infrastructure and buildings, the most recent and updated outlines are utilized. I can see if this is used to track changes, or comparing historical data maybe when managing a complex project or something. 

Map Sheet Data Layer:

When I first heard map sheets I thought of a single standalone printed map. What I understand is that it can be a single map in a larger series that way a data can separate different types of data like roads and rivers. I guys if you have different management sheets you can better see things rather than having everything thrown into one image or whatever. 

Hydrology Data Layer:

Shows all major waterways within DelCo. Enhanced in the past with LIDAR based data. This must be incredibly useful for spatially representing all water related features. This can then be used to manage and protect both man made water systems and natural bodies of water as the more common of the two here in DelCo and probably everywhere. 

ROW Data Layer:

Again, this consists of all lines that are designated as right – of – way in the county. Why is this different from the one I already read about called the designated ROW data layer. Does one of them involve future planning and considerations of ROW. Does one of them involve the actual and current ROW classifications or regulations? I’ve never heard of ROW and so I’m a bit confused. 

Address Points DXF Data Layer:

Shows the accurate positions of addresses within a given parcel within the county. The state of Ohio and DelCo worked collectively to formulate this layer. Again, this is another layer as to why this is different from the original address points data layer I read about. I looked into the DXF in the name which stands for Drawing Exchange Format. It says this is the file format used to distribute GIS data to people like surveyors and just the general public. 

2024 Aerial Imagery Data Layer:

This layer includes the 2024 3in Aerial Imagery. This imagery was recorded in 2024 as it says drones or whatnot were flown then in the spring time. This is so very useful for enhancing the visual content that GIS works with and as a result that those who work with GIS work with. This data can allow for better mapping and visualization of the Earth’s surface for a range of applications. 

2022 Leaf – On Imagery SID File Data Layer:

This layer shows imagery with a 12in resolution from the year 2022. There isn’t much summary but I can infer this is aerial or satellite images taken during like a growing season where trees and things have leaves. I guess the timing of this is super important for certain functions and analysis to be done. 

Street Centerlines DXF Data Layer:

The  Drawing Exchange Format showing the center of pavement of public and private roads in the county. It says that address range data which is like a span collection of addresses represented by a value pertaining to one side of the road versus the other. It says this data was collected by field observation of address locations that do exhaust and by adding or maybe even changing addresses through building permit info. 

Building Outlines DXF Data Layer:

The Drawing Exchange Format for all outlines of structures in the county. A summary was not loading and I was having trouble opening things. 

Delaware County Contours Data Layer:

This is a data layer from 2018 of two foot contours. These two foot contours connect points of equal elevation with a distance up and down of two feet between the lines. I wonder if LIDAR was or is used. This allows for visualization of things like elevation and terrain features. Terrain features with a specific political or whatever boundary can be visualized through this layer.

2021 Imagery SID File Data Layer:

2021 image data. I’m not sure if this pertains to general aerial imagery or leaf on imagery. I was confused on this SID acronym but I looked into it and it said that SID is a Multi-resolution Seamless Image Database.

Sidenote: I was unable to access some of the data layers whatsoever. I tried multiple times to reload things but the system would not work. I had only a couple left to read and review, not sure why these final layers malfunctioned. I read the summary from the main page and got what I could out of them without clicking on them. This occurred for only two or three layers. 

Steps 4, 5, and 6:

I downloaded these three data sets: Parcel, Street Centerline, and Hydrology. I then created a map that shows all three but I have no idea if I did it right. I was having trouble extracting the files and getting them to show up as I opened a new project. I bypassed that by opening a map on the ArcGIS pro home screen and then working through things. Here is a screenshot.