Chapter 3
Chapter 3 focused heavily on the Experience Builder, and I found the whole process incredibly engaging. What stood out most was how intuitive and user-friendly this tool is, even for individuals without a deep GIS background. Being able to create web maps using both 2D and 3D perspectives added a new layer of interactivity, and organizing content through widgets made the experience more dynamic. One idea that came to mind during this chapter was to build a web map visualizing crime patterns in Delaware County. With widgets and charts, users could explore what types of crimes occur most frequently, and where hotspots are located. It would be a powerful tool for community awareness and decision-making.
Chapter 4
This chapter highlighted the importance of Mobile GIS, especially for real-time data collection and access. One of my favorite tools was Survey123, which was surprisingly simple to set up and personalize. I liked how I could tailor the survey to local issues, then deploy it on my phone and analyze the results back on my computer. I also learned how to publish editable feature layers and explore Field Maps—a useful tool for tracking and recording data while in the field. The rapid data collection section especially stood out for its practicality in fast-paced, real-world scenarios.
Application Ideas
I’m thinking about applying these GIS tools to the world of urban infrastructure and municipal maintenance. Using web maps and mobile apps, cities could streamline how they collect, visualize, and respond to infrastructure issues. For example:
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Residents could report issues like broken sidewalks or illegal dumping via Survey123.
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City crews could access Field Maps to view problem areas in real time and log repairs.
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City planners could use a web map dashboard to identify which areas consistently have the most reported issues and allocate resources more efficiently.
This kind of system would make city services more responsive, transparent, and data-driven, while also engaging the public in maintaining the spaces they live in.
Data Inventory
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