Month: April 2025

Getting to Know Web GIS (2022, 5th edition)

Chapter 7

Photorealistic (recreates reality using photos to texture features) and cartographic (moves 2D thematic mapping techniques into 3D) are the two main types of scenes, or 3D web maps. 

The 4 main elements of scenes are surfaces, features, textures, and atmospheric effects. 

The Main Types of Scene Layers (3D Layers):
3D Object Scene Layers – Used to represent and visualize 3D objects.
Building Scene Layers – Allow the user to visualize complex digital models of buildings and interact with all the components of a building.
Integrated Mesh Scene Layers – Constructed using Drone2Map, which is a desktop app that turns raw, still imagery from drones into valuable information products.
Point Cloud Scene Layers – Provide a fast display of large volumes of symbolized point cloud data.
Point Scene Layers – Used to display large amounts of point data not possible with a point feature layer.
Voxel Scene Layers – Represents multidimensional spatial and temporal information in a 3D volumetric visualization.

The General Steps to Creating Web Scenes:
1. Choose a global or local scene
2. Choose a basemap
3. Add layers
4. Configure layers (layer styles, labels, pop-ups)
5. Capture slides (if needed)
6. Save and share 

VR uses headsets or multiprojected environments to generate 3D views, sounds, and other sensations that simulate a user’s physical presence in a virtual environment. XR refers to all real-and-virtual combined environments and human-machine interactions (AR, VR, and MR). A metaverse is a network of 3D visual worlds focused on social connection.

ArcGIS Urban applies GIS technology to urban planning to streamline plan creation, analyze the impact of plans, visualize current projects, and facilitate public engagement. 

Chapter 7 – Web Scene Using Feature Layers and 3D Object Symbols (Carpocalypse)

 

Application based on ideas from Chapter 7

I could create a 3D web scene that shows where light pollution might be highest in Delaware County, helping identify areas where wildlife or human health could be impacted. Using land use and building footprint data, I would upload these layers to ArcGIS Online and build the scene in Scene Viewer. I would then extrude the buildings to visualize densely built-up areas and use smart mapping to color-code land use types, highlighting commercial and industrial zones that typically contribute more to light pollution. I would also add a layer for parks or open spaces to show which natural areas are most affected by nearby development.

Chapter 7

The flow chart on page 230 was very helpful in understanding which platforms do what for which types of jobs that need to be done. I learned about the two main types of web scenes, which are photorealistic (which aim to recreate photos and textures); this type of web scene would be used to recreate surroundings. I also learned about cartographic web scenes (which are used to take 2D data and make it 3D  by extruding values). VR was not something that I really thought of before when thinking about GIS and applications, however, it makes a lot of sense. The Venn diagram on page 241 was helpful in understanding where VR, MR, and AR lie as an XR and their scale between presence and immersive. The indoor GIS was also very cool to think about in terms of VR and other game-based applications. A potential application from this chapter would be using Delaware data to create a cartographic web scene of land ownership within the county to show which areas have the most ownership for potential tax reasons.

I really like learning how to make applications and websites. It is actually really helpful for my classes because it brings in this new idea that I can make a website or GIS application for a class project. It’s really cool that we get to learn how to create a web experience with all these add-ons you would think are really difficult when in reality it’s super easy with just a click of a button. Experience Builder is a really nice website because it gives you an already made layout which you can use, and just add your own information or data to make a web experience. In chapter 4 we learned about mobile ArcGIS and how easy it is to use these complicated sounding apps on your mobile device. These apps were really interesting to learn about because of its use of VR, and its ability to locate things inside and its rapid data collection. In this application we could compare 2D and 3D areas of Delaware, you could compare the Tax districts and zip codes, and see the connections. 

Chapter 4:

This chapter emphasized the increasing mobility and accessibility of GIS across various devices. I found it interesting that Web GIS isn’t limited to smartphones and tablets—it’s even being integrated into wearables. It made me realize just how embedded GIS is becoming in our everyday technology.

Chapter 6

This chapter introduced the concept of spatiotemporal data—information that’s tied to both time and location. This idea is central to real-time GIS applications, and the chapter effectively demonstrated how it’s used in real-world scenarios. Examples like emergency response, environmental monitoring, and traffic tracking helped me better understand how these systems function in practice, beyond just theoretical concepts.

One part that really stood out was the discussion on the Internet of Things. While I’ve come across the term before, this was the first time I truly understood how the Internet of Things connects with GIS. Seeing how real-time data is gathered and processed using tools like GeoEvent Server and ArcGIS Velocity made the concept much clearer. These technologies automate the collection and analysis of sensor data, opening up powerful possibilities for live monitoring and informed decision-making.

Learning about ArcGIS dashboards was also a good experience. They seem incredibly effective for visualizing complex spatial data in a clear, user-friendly way. I also appreciated the deeper look into time-enabled layers and how they can be used to animate changes over time.

Chapter 3:

This chapter was fairly straightforward. I like that this assignment allowed us to create something we can actually publish.

Chapter 4:

I found this chapter engaging because we got to develop a new skill.. It was also interesting to see how GIS continues to evolve alongside the growing use of mobile devices.  I often use Apple Maps for directions, and I realized how heavily our daily lives rely on GIS technology. Although the mobile app tutorials were very in-depth, it was definitely helpful to take a deeper dive into what the Esri apps could do.

Application:

The Survey123 tool has a wide range of potential uses. One practical application could be tracking invasive species of bugs, plants, or other animals. With its variety of input options—including multiple-choice questions, map locations, file uploads, and email fields—it would make collecting data more efficient. Residents in Delaware County could report where the species is found, estimate the amount, indicate whether removal was attempted, and provide other useful details. This could help encourage community involvement and make managing and eliminating invasive species more effective.

Chapter 6

This week’s chapter focused on spatiotemporal data and real-time GIS. I’ve heard about IoT, but wasn’t sure of its definition, so I made sure to look it up (it gave the definition later). I’ve never considered how many sensors are used in everyday life, such as how smart cars use sensors and GIS data to calculate routes and recognize road conditions. The ArcGIS dashboard seemed really useful with being able to use real time data to track crimes, environmental conditions, and social media.

Application Idea

I would create a dashboard showing real time air quality across the map. The dashboard would use data from air quality sensors from around the state. It would track various pollutants and have visual alerts for bad air quality and its location. I would also animate the data so that you could visualize the patterns and trends of the air quality.

It’s nice that the intro for week two was also chill work, it let you explore ArcGIS online and explore different areas than last week, it lets you be independent in what you are learning and learn at your own pace. I like how these instructions are very different from the GIS 291 textbook, they provide a way more in depth explanation to what you need to do, and have really informative pictures explaining the instructions. An idea I have is that you could use this application to place pictures of voter registration sites and how many voters there are, you would use precinct data in Delaware County GIS data hub, and it will locate all the voting precinct areas. 

 

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 focused on spatiotemporal data, data connected to both location and time, and how it’s essential in real-time GIS operations. The chapter used practical examples like tracking 911 calls and monitoring environmental conditions live, which made the technical concepts easier to relate to. I found the discussion of the Internet of Things (IoT) especially eye-opening. Previously, I only thought of IoT in broad or historical terms, but this made it clear how devices, sensors, and networks come together with tools like GeoEvent Server and ArcGIS Velocity to collect and process live spatial data. I also learned about ArcGIS Dashboards, which lets you display real-time data with interactive maps, charts, and filters. Time-enabled layers were another key feature, allowing me to animate data over time—a technique I was introduced to in GEOG 291, but this chapter gave me a better grasp of its full potential.

For a project, I’d like to build a dashboard that tracks the impact of land development on waterways and wetlands in Delaware County. By integrating zoning maps, parcel data, and hydrology layers, I could pinpoint where construction might be encroaching on environmentally sensitive areas. Users would be able to sort parcels by zoning type, check statistics about buffer zones near streams, and use a time slider to visualize changes in development over time. This type of tool could help planners make more informed choices and encourage development that protects water quality and local ecosystems.

Week 4 Reflection

Chapter 6 focused on the concept of spatiotemporal data, which is data linked to both time and location. This concept is important in real time GIS applications, and the chapter did a good job of showing how it applies in real world settings. Examples like emergency response, environmental monitoring, and traffic tracking helped me understand how these systems operate beyond just theory.

One part of the chapter that stood out to me was the discussion of the Internet of Things. While I’ve heard about IoT before, this was the first time I saw how it connects directly to GIS. It made more sense seeing how real time data is collected and processed through tools like GeoEvent Server and ArcGIS Velocity. These systems help automate and interpret incoming data from sensors, which opens up a lot of possibilities for live monitoring and decision-making.

Another highlight for me was learning about ArcGIS Dashboards. These tools seem especially useful for communicating complex spatial data in a more visual and accessible format. I also appreciated the deeper dive into time enabled layers and how they can animate changes over time. I had seen some of this in earlier coursework, but this chapter helped tie it all together more clearly.

Chapter 4 brought attention to how GIS is becoming more mobile and accessible on different devices. It was interesting to learn that not only smartphones and tablets, but even wearables, are being considered as platforms for Web GIS. I hadn’t really thought about how many ways GIS is being integrated into everyday technology.

Application Ideas

For a potential project, I’d be interested in creating a dashboard that maps the relationship between land development and nearby waterways or wetlands in Delaware County. With access to zoning, parcel, and hydrology data, the tool could help highlight where development activity may impact sensitive environmental areas. Features like zoning filters and time sliders could make this a useful planning tool.

Another application idea would be a real time air quality monitoring system. Using live sensor data, the dashboard could display current pollution levels across a region, identify hotspots, and show alerts when air quality becomes unsafe. I think this would be especially helpful for public health and education systems, particularly during events like wildfire smoke or pollution spikes.

Lastly, I think it would be valuable to build a community reporting tool for severe weather impacts. Residents could submit reports about things like flooding or blocked roads, along with severity ratings. This information could then be mapped and shared with local officials to support quicker, more informed responses.

Chapter 6 introduced the concept of spatiotemporal data, information tied to both space and time, and showed how it plays a major role in real-time GIS applications. I thought the examples of real-world uses, like 911 call tracking or live environmental monitoring, really helped connect the technical ideas to practical situations. It was especially interesting to see the Internet of Things (IoT) mentioned, since I had only thought about it in a historical or abstract way before. This chapter made it more concrete by showing how sensors, networks, and real-time processing tools like GeoEvent Server and ArcGIS Velocity work together to collect and use data on the fly.One of the most useful tools introduced was ArcGIS Dashboards, which makes it easy to present live data using maps, charts, and filters. I also learned how to animate time-series data using time-enabled layers and web apps, something I had seen before in GEOG 291 but was able to explore in more depth here.

For my project idea, I would create a dashboard showing how land development in Delaware County may affect nearby waterways and wetlands. By combining parcel, zoning, and hydrology data, I could highlight where new developments overlap or come close to sensitive environmental areas. Users could filter parcels by zoning type, view statistics on buffer zones near streams, and interact with time sliders to see how development patterns have changed. This tool could support better decision-making for sustainable growth and help raise awareness about water quality and habitat protection.