Author: cnheumasse

FINAL

For my final project in GEOG 292, I created a web GIS application titled Favorite Delaware, OH Restaurant that combined both ArcGIS StoryMaps and Survey123. This project aimed to engage Ohio Wesleyan University students in sharing their favorite dining spots in Downtown Delaware, Ohio. By integrating spatial storytelling with real-time community input, I was able to showcase how GIS can be used not only for technical mapping but also for collecting and representing student voices in a fun, culturally relevant way.

The first part of this project used ArcGIS Survey123, an online form that allowed participants to vote for their favorite restaurant in town, recommend a dish, and describe what made that restaurant special. The form included clear and inviting language to encourage student participation and used a background photo of Delaware’s historic downtown to visually connect users with the place. The structure of the survey was simple: students were asked for their name (optional), their top restaurant, a recommended dish, and a short explanation. This format helped generate qualitative data that reflected student preferences and local dining culture. The form, shared online, collected geotagged responses that could then be integrated into a spatial map. This approach aligns closely with Chapter 6 of Getting to Know Web GIS, which focuses on real-time GIS tools, including Survey123 and dashboards, and emphasizes public participation in spatial data collection.

The second part of the project involved creating a StoryMap titled Favorite Delaware, OH Restaurant that visualized the feedback collected through Survey123. The StoryMap feature a scrolling narrative with a map tour of well-known local restaurants such as Yokai Ramen Bistro, Typhoon, 1808 American Bistro, Cocinamos Bakery, and Mohio Pizza Co. Each map point included a photo, a short description written from a student perspective, and the restaurant’s location. These short blurbs captured the personality of each restaurant while also emphasizing the student connection. This section of the project demonstrated how ArcGIS StoryMaps can be used to create rich, visual narratives that go beyond raw data. Following the tutorials in Chapter 2 of Getting to Know Web GIS, I learned to layer spatial data, apply smart mapping for symbols and attributes, and create compelling pop-ups to enhance user interaction.

What makes this project unique is the blend of technical GIS tools with personal storytelling. By using Survey123 to collect real-time responses and StoryMaps to turn that data into a visual experience, I was able to create a digital tour of Delaware’s food scene through the lens of student life. The title card, layout, and color choices were also designed to be welcoming and reflect the vibrant yet relaxed feel of Delaware’s downtown. This combination of participatory GIS and narrative mapping demonstrates the potential of web GIS for community-based projects, cultural documentation, and local engagement.

In conclusion, this project helped me apply GIS skills to a topic that felt personally meaningful and socially relevant. It not only taught me how to build integrated web applications using ArcGIS tools but also how to think critically about design, audience, and impact. The final product is a student-curated digital guide to food in Downtown Delaware — one that others can explore, learn from, and contribute to in the future.

1. ArcGIS StoryMaps – Well-Reviewed Restaurants in Downtown Delaware

Chapter Source:
This idea is primarily connected to Chapter 2 of Getting to Know Web GIS (5th edition). Chapter 2 focuses on building web maps, using smart mapping, customizing pop-ups, and creating Story Maps to turn spatial data into visual narratives.

Application 1 

Relevant Tutorials from Chapter 2:

• Creating a web map that includes point layers for restaurant locations
• Styling features using smart mapping (e.g., type of food, star rating, or number of reviews)
• Customizing pop-ups with restaurant names, descriptions, hours, or photos
• Building a Story Map to organize content into sections with images, maps, and narrative text

2. ArcGIS Survey123 – Community Feedback on Favorite Restaurants

Chapter Source:
This idea connects to Chapter 6, which focuses on spatiotemporal data, real-time GIS, and tools like Survey123, Dashboards, and Field Maps.

Application 2 

Relevant Tutorials from Chapter 6:

• Creating a Survey123 form to collect input (e.g., “What’s your favorite restaurant in town?”, “What dish do you recommend?”, or rating questions)
• Publishing the survey to collect responses with geographic locations
• Viewing and mapping responses in ArcGIS Online in real time
• Exporting or linking the data into a StoryMap to include live or summarized results

Chapter 7 Notes and Reflection

Focuses on 3D web scenes and how they allow spatial data to be displayed in more immersive and interactive ways. The chapter explains the difference between photorealistic scenes, which use real textures and imagery to mimic the physical world, and cartographic scenes, which represent data using more traditional symbols and styling in a 3D format. The chapter also introduced key scene elements, including surfaces, features, textures, and atmospheric effects. These elements work together to give users a better sense of space, scale, and elevation. I also learned about Lidar, which uses laser-based sensors to collect high-resolution spatial data, shown as point clouds that can represent features like building outlines or terrain elevations. Other technologies introduced included virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR), which are part of the growing shift toward immersive digital environments. The tutorials explained how to build 3D scenes, manage layers, and apply visual settings like lighting and time-of-day to enhance the scene’s appearance.

 

Application Ideas

Based on the concepts from this chapter, one possible use of 3D web scenes could be a zoning and land use map of Delaware County. Parcel data from the Delaware Data Inventory could be used to extrude buildings or land areas by zoning type. With 3D symbols and color-coding, users could quickly understand how land is being used and how it varies across the county. Another possible application would be to use building outlines and elevation data to explore how urban development in the area has changed over time. Combined with time-enabled layers, this could support planning or sustainability efforts by visualizing building growth and land use change in a clear, spatial format.

Chapter 6 Notes and Reflection

Introduced the concept of spatiotemporal data, which refers to data connected to both time and location. I learned that this kind of data is essential for tracking patterns that change over time, such as weather events, traffic, or environmental conditions. The chapter also explained how spatiotemporal data fits into real-time GIS, where live updates from sensors and devices can be used to inform decisions. One term that stood out was the Internet of Things (IoT). It refers to physical objects, like traffic cameras or air quality monitors, that are connected to networks and constantly sending out data. I hadn’t really considered how often we interact with systems like this in daily life. The chapter also introduced ArcGIS Dashboards and time-enabled layers. Dashboards display real-time data in charts, lists, and maps, making it easy to monitor change or activity in one place. I thought it was helpful to learn how different types of spatiotemporal data, like discrete incidents or moving objects, can be visualized in different formats depending on the purpose. Another useful part of the chapter was the breakdown of how to animate time series data. This involves publishing a time-enabled web layer and creating a time slider on a map to show how something changes across specific intervals. I could see how this would be valuable in many fields, especially for things like public health, climate monitoring, or urban growth.

 

Application Ideas

Chapter 6 introduced how time-enabled data can be used to track changes and events across both space and time. Building on this, an application that fits well with these tools would involve creating a time-enabled web map of reported traffic incidents or emergency calls in Delaware County using layers from the Delaware Data Inventory. The goal of this application would be to visualize when and where incidents are happening most often. By enabling a time slider, the map could show how incident patterns shift by time of day, week, or season. A simple dashboard could include real-time charts and filters for types of incidents or location categories, helping users explore patterns quickly. This kind of project would be helpful for identifying areas with high activity and could support local planning or public safety awareness.

Chapter 3: Experience Builder

I found Experience Builder to be a flexible and engaging tool. I liked how it supports both 2D and 3D maps and gives you the freedom to organize pages and customize layouts using drag-and-drop widgets. It reminded me a lot of building a website, which made the process more approachable. The tutorials were very helpful in showing how to create pages, add interactive widgets, and even connect them with map data and pop-ups. I especially liked the idea of using message-based interactions between widgets to create a more dynamic experience. Experience Builder seems ideal for making visually strong and user-friendly web apps that go beyond static maps. I can see this being really useful for public awareness campaigns or educational outreach, where the goal is to make information accessible and engaging to people who may not have any GIS background.

Chapter 4: Web AppBuilder and Mobile GIS

Chapter 4 shifted the focus to mobile GIS and Web AppBuilder. I found the discussion of the “post-PC era” really interesting because it made me reflect on how much work we do on our phones and how GIS has adapted to that. Mobile GIS opens up so many possibilities for collecting data in the field and accessing real-time information. Tools like Survey123 and QuickCapture seem especially helpful for researchers, environmental monitors, and public health workers who need to collect or verify spatial data on the go. The Web AppBuilder felt more straightforward than Experience Builder, using templates and pre-made widgets to build apps quickly. It might be a good starting point for someone who wants to create a basic but functional app without needing as much customization.

Delaware Data Inventory

Since I already completed the Delaware Data Inventory in GEOG 291, I had a chance to revisit it with fresh eyes. The wide range of layers, from parcel boundaries to building outlines and zoning, really show how much spatial data is available at the local level. I found myself especially drawn to the environmental and infrastructure layers. The Dedicated ROW and Storm Sewer layers stood out this time because they could be really useful for planning community-based environmental health projects.

Application Idea

I’m thinking of creating an interactive app using Experience Builder that supports local public health efforts. The idea is to map out areas in Delaware County that may face higher health risks due to environmental or infrastructural factors. For example, I could combine data layers showing population density, access to healthcare facilities, stormwater infrastructure, and flood zones. The app could help identify areas where health services might be harder to access or where certain environmental conditions could increase risk. This kind of tool could be useful for the local health department or emergency services as they plan for outreach, resource distribution, or future development. I’d like to explore adding filtering and chart widgets so users can interact with the data and focus on specific neighborhoods or risk factors.

Chapter 1 Notes and Reflections

Chapter 1 provided a clear overview of what Web GIS is and how it is used across different fields such as public health, disaster response, and urban planning. I found it especially interesting that Web GIS can store data in the cloud or locally depending on the user’s needs. This flexibility makes it easier to collaborate while also managing sensitive data when needed. The chapter explained the key components of Web GIS like data, layers, web maps, scenes, tools, and applications. Seeing how they all connect helped me better understand how the system works. The tutorials were helpful in showing how to upload data, organize folders, and add images to pop-ups. It felt very user-friendly compared to older GIS tools.

Chapter 2 Notes and Reflections

Chapter 2 focused on different types of layers and introduced smart mapping, which I thought was one of the most useful features so far. It automatically suggests the best visual styles based on your data, which takes the pressure off when you’re not sure how to present information clearly. Another useful tool was ArcGIS Arcade. It reminded me of using Excel formulas but for maps. I liked how it allowed you to customize pop-ups even if the original data is missing certain attributes. Story Maps were another highlight. They let you combine text, images, videos, and interactive maps in one project. This format is great for telling stories and making complex data easier to understand. I can see myself using this tool to raise awareness about environmental or public health issues.

Application Idea Based on Chapters 1 and 2

1. Inspired by the reading, I’d like to make a Story Map that explores environmental justice issues in Delaware County. I could use demographic data, air quality measurements, and land use history to show how pollution and climate-related risks are unevenly distributed among different communities. This could be a helpful tool for local advocacy.
2. I also want to experiment with creating a Story Map about my own life. I could map out meaningful places like where I was born in Indonesia, where I live now in Ohio, and the schools I’ve attended along the way. It would be interesting to connect these places with short notes, photos, and lines that tell the story of how I got to where I am today. This could be a creative way to reflect on my journey and share it with others visually.

Hello! My name is Claire Heumasse. I’m a Biology major with minors in Environmental Science and Sociology & Anthropology at Ohio Wesleyan University. I’m originally from Indonesia, and I’m passionate about environmental justice and how we can use tools like GIS to better understand and respond to environmental issues. Outside of academics, I’m involved in the Women in Science club and the rock climbing club. After logging into my ArcGIS Online account, I spent some time exploring the various tabs in the upper-right corner like My Profile, My Settings, and My ESRI. I added my basic info to my profile and found it interesting how you can track completed training and access community forums directly from the dashboard. One thing I really liked was the Training section, which links to a wide range of beginner-friendly courses. I also found the ArcGIS Blog full of useful tutorials and articles on how people are using GIS in creative ways—like mapping coral bleaching or visualizing climate migration.

From the reading Get Started: What Is ArcGIS Online, two things stood out to me. First, I liked how clearly the guide explained the difference between map viewers, scenes, and layers—it helped me better understand the structure of projects I’ll be working on. Second, I found the part on how to share maps with others especially helpful; collaboration seems like a key strength of this platform.

I completed the ArcGIS Online Basics web course. I really enjoyed learning how to create and manage web maps and exploring different layer types. The interactive parts of the training helped me understand how to search for existing layers and add pop-ups to enrich map features. I appreciated how easy the interface made it to build a simple, yet powerful map.

 

I also browsed other ESRI training offerings and found a few that caught my eye:

• “GIS for Climate Action”
• “ArcGIS Location Sharing Privacy Best Practices”
  • Both look fascinating and I may follow up on one of these using OWU’s Connection Grant.

For the application exploration, I chose topics that reflect my environmental focus:

1. I explored an ArcGIS StoryMap titled “Environmental Injustice: How Pollution and Heat Inequity are Disproportionately Affecting Low-Income, Minority Communities in Urban Areas” by Anne Elizabeth Blackburn. This interactive map highlights how communities of color in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Houston face higher levels of air pollution and heat exposure due to systemic urban planning decisions and historical redlining. The StoryMap effectively combines maps, data visuals, and narrative storytelling to illustrate environmental racism and climate vulnerability. It’s a powerful example of how GIS can raise awareness and advocate for equitable solutions.

Source: Environmental Injustice