Geography 292: Geospatial Analysis with Web GIS

My name is Izzy Fry, I am a Freshman Pre-med, Zoology, and Environmental Science major. I am pretty familiar with ArcGIS from taking GEOG291 last module, before spring break. I am very excited to get to use the online system more in depth because I know that using the web system will make using GIS in my daily life much easier. I began by taking a look at the My Settings, ESRI, Training, Community and Forums, ArcGISBlog and Help sections. I already have some experience with these sections from the other section of Desktop GIS last module when one of the tutorials required us to create something on the website. I then read through the Get Started article. What I generally read was all evident from my knowledge of GIS from the last module but it was a good review of all the uses for GIS and knowing now we can access it online now makes the whole situation a lot more accessible for me. The introduction course was quite informative and a good way to start with this course because I definitely needed a refresher from last module. The beginning discussed all the different uses for ArcGIS online and the organizations that use it which was helpful because it highlighted a major difference between the this software and the desktop version. Then it discusses the different layer types that can be used in the software which were similar but not the same as the last module so it was helpful to see the differences. The next section led me through creating a web map which was helpful for the first time especially compared to the tutorials last time which I had difficulty getting started with. Another course I found interesting is the Field Data Collection and Management Using ArcGIS course which I think would be helpful to me and anyone else that plans to do field work in the future. One use I found for ArcGIS online is to map biodiversity loss of a region which can help conservation biologists to understand and visualize the changes in an ecosystem. https://data-gis.unep-wcmc.org/server/rest/services/nchs_ter_biodiv_dep/ImageServer
I also found that ArcGIS online can be used to estimate forest density over an area which is also helpful to those in conservation and anyone interested in land use and coverage.

Chapter 3 – ArcGIS Experience Builder

In Chapter 3, I became aware of ArcGIS Experience Builder, a program that lets users design unique web apps without knowing how to code. Even people without a technical background can use it because of its easy-to-use interface. The capability to merge 2D and 3D maps caught my attention the most. Numerous opportunities for interactive spatial data visualization are made possible by this feature. Additionally, I valued the range of pre-made templates that aided in my app’s initial development. It was simple to modify and produce an interesting app because of the flexibility in content organization and the addition of various media types. This chapter demonstrated to me how easy web mapping can be, even for novices, and how non-developers can make sophisticated mapping apps.

Chapter 4 – Mobile GIS

The significance of mobile GIS was covered in Chapter 4, particularly in light of the growing use of wearable technology and smartphones to access spatial data. Learning about applications like ArcGIS QuickCapture and ArcGIS Indoors, which give users access to real-time spatial data on mobile devices and are increasing the efficiency of field data collection, was interesting. Despite their great convenience, I found that these apps have certain drawbacks, like small screen sizes and trouble managing big datasets. Nonetheless, field surveys and emergency response tasks benefit greatly from the ability to gather and evaluate data while on the go. The chapter clarified that while mobile GIS is excellent for certain tasks requiring mobility, traditional web-based GIS tools are still more suitable for more intricate analysis.

Application Idea

After reading these chapters, I came up with the idea for an app that addresses environmental issues in Delaware by fusing web-based mapping with mobile GIS. The app’s main objective would be to monitor the region’s invasive plant species’ spread. By using a mobile device to take pictures and geotag their location, users would be able to report sightings. A web-based dashboard would also be available for users to view and examine the data on an interactive map. Residents, local government officials, and environmentalists may find this app to be a useful tool for tracking and controlling the spread of invasive species. The app could support community involvement in conservation initiatives and give decision-makers useful information by fusing simple mobile data collection with an interactive web interface.

Delaware Data Inventory

I looked over a number of significant data layers that are pertinent to the area for the Delaware Data Inventory assignment. Among the most intriguing layers were the Flood Zones, which are crucial for disaster response and preparation, and the School Districts, which display the geographical borders of various school districts. I also looked into the Parcel Data, which displays property boundaries and ownership information, and the E911 Data, which gives emergency services the most recent information. Applications pertaining to real estate and urban planning may benefit from these layers. Road networks and building outlines provided a clear picture of the region’s infrastructure, while other layers, such as the Public Land Survey System (PLSS), were a little more complicated. Overall, reviewing the Delaware Data Inventory helped me see the depth of spatial data available and its potential for various GIS applications.

Chapter 1
Chapter 1 introduced Web GIS and its growing role in fields like government, business, and education. I was struck by how flexible it is—whether data is stored online or locally, Web GIS brings together maps, scenes, tools, and apps in one system. The tutorials were helpful in showing how to create and organize items, add images to popups, and publish maps. With experience in ArcGIS Desktop, I found the interface intuitive, and Web GIS offers even more accessibility for sharing data widely.

Chapter 2
 Chapter 2 focused on layers and smart mapping, which makes it easier to design maps that highlight patterns in data. I found the auto-style suggestions and data-driven visuals really useful. The chapter also covered ArcGIS Arcade, which reminded me of Excel formulas but for customizing popups in GIS. Story Maps stood out as a creative way to combine maps with text and media to give a clear picture for what may be going on in a given area.

Applications
An application for a dot density map could show the locations of pet stores in the area that sell dog food. Another idea is a heat map that highlights the number of dog owners in the region.

Chapter 3

In chapter 3, we learn about the experience builder that allows you to create web apps with no programming. This builder seems accessible for those who have never worked with this type of program before, with its premade templates. I’ve been finding these tutorials easier than 291, which I was kind of surprised by. I enjoyed creating a map with a 2D and 3D perspective. 

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 discussed how we have moved past using PCs and are now relying on smartphones and other wearable devices. Being able to use Web GIS on these devices is important for mobility and near-real-time information. One thing that caught my attention was using virtual reality. I feel like it would hurt my head trying to use a map in VR. 

Application Idea

My application is kind of inspired by iNaturalist, but I think it would be interesting to use a web app that tracks the location and amount of invasive insect species in Delaware. The app would allow people to take a picture and provide their location. Some invasive insects are the elm zigzag sawfly, the spotted lantern fly, or asian longhorned ticks (not an insect).

 

Quick edit to say I have already completed the Delaware Data Inventory in Geo 291.

Chapter 3 dives into ArcGIS Experience Builder, and I found it to be a really flexible and user friendly tool. It stood out because it supports both 2D and 3D maps and gives you the freedom to organize and design how you want your content to appear. Pages act as the main structure, and widgets tools you can place on the page let you customize interactions. There are different types of widgets, and each one can perform specific actions, including message based interactions that connect with other parts of the app. What made it all easier to understand were the tutorials. They walked me through the steps in a way that made everything feel approachable, even without a strong GIS background. It’s a great example of how the platform isn’t just for professionals it’s accessible to anyone who’s interested.

Chapter 4 shifts the focus to Mobile GIS, which is becoming increasingly important as more people use smartphones rather than computers or tablets. Mobile GIS makes it possible to access, collect, and work with spatial data from anywhere, thanks to wireless internet and the speed of mobile devices. While it’s not always easy to work on a smaller screen, especially with large datasets or complex features, mobile apps like QuickCapture and ArcGIS Indoors really open up new ways to engage with GIS in real time. I liked how the chapter made clear when it makes more sense to use mobile GIS versus WebGIS. It helped me understand that while mobile is great for on the go work, certain tasks still benefit from the broader screen and functionality of a web-based setup.

After working through the “Explore your surroundings in AR” tutorial, I started thinking about how cool it would be to create something similar for downtown Delaware. I’d love to develop an app that lets people learn about historical landmarks and local attractions just by pointing their phone camera at them. It would be a fun and educational way to explore the city, using augmented reality to make the experience interactive and engaging.

Since I took GEOG 291, I’ve already completed the Delaware Data Inventory. It was interesting to revisit some of those layers now that I have a better understanding of how they can be used in different GIS applications. Layers like Zip Code, School District, Parcel, and Building Outlines offered a strong foundation, while more specialized layers like E911 Data, PLSS, and Annexation added deeper historical and emergency context. The Recorded Document layer was one I found especially interesting it was cool to zoom in on OWU and see university housing data pop up. Another standout was the Dedicated ROW layer, which shows which roads are designated for public access. Even the more complex or less familiar layers, like Subdivision or Farm Lot, offered a glimpse into how much information is available to work with if you take the time to explore and interpret it.

When comparing Experience Builder with Web AppBuilder, both tools are solid for creating web apps, but they differ in style and flexibility. Experience Builder feels more modern and creative, with its drag and drop interface and mobile friendly design. It’s perfect for mixing maps, dashboards, and charts all in one place. Web AppBuilder is a little more straightforward, using pre made templates and a library of widgets to help get basic apps up and running quickly ideal for quick projects or for folks who are just starting out.

For my own application idea, I want to use the Delaware data from GEOG 291 to build a web app in Experience Builder that highlights flood risk zones across the county. The goal is to let users explore which areas are most vulnerable, compare that with demographic data, and link to local emergency planning resources. With customizable widgets, I can make it easy for users to filter by flood zone severity or population characteristics. I think this kind of tool would be valuable for both public awareness and local planning. I’m also interested in using Survey123 and Field Maps for future applications tied to public health or environmental data, since mobile GIS makes real time data collection and access in the field so much easier.

Chapter 3:

This chapter focuses on the Experience Builder aspect of ArcGIS, which offers a bunch of new features that were not previously available. The main trait of the experience builder is that it is flexible and allows for configurations of layers. The scenes or maps that you can bring in can be either 2D or 3D and the layers you create and how you design them is all up to you. Pages are the main component and windows will appear next to any widgets. The two types of widgets have different functions and are customizable as well. There are two different groups of actions that are available for each widget, and a few components corresponding to one group, the message actions. Once again, I enjoy that the book provides in-depth tutorials for different applications, because it really helps a layfolk (like me) be able to put these new ideas into practice.

Chapter 4:

The ideas presented in this chapter are representative of the fact that many people nowadays use smartphones rather than PCs or tablets. In light of that, Mobile GIS, its advantages, and its features are described. Mobile GIS can be accessed without a wired connection and offers many more types of communication in the app. Mobile GIS also provides a quicker way of accessing the data we want since smartphones tend to operate more quickly than computers, and the wireless connection is what allows for this. There are a few limitations discussed regarding mobile GIS, which is the inconvenience of trying to work with so much data and so many features on a much smaller screen. For certain types of actions you can take in ArcGIS, it would make more sense to use WebGIS rather than mobile due to these limitations. The two features that seemed most interesting to me were the QuickCapture and the ArcGIS indoors mobile app.

Application:

I am super interested in the idea of highlighting the city of Delaware’s main attractions after looking at the tutorial titled “Explore your surroundings in AR.” I think it would be really  fun to go around downtown Delaware and use my phone for educational purposes in order to learn more about the key attractions downtown just by using my phone camera.

Delaware Data Inventory:

(I did not take 291)

• Zip Code: The 2000 consensus recorded all of the zip codes in Delaware county and they were then cleaned and evaluated in 2003. This specific layer was created using the USPS’s website and is updated each month.
• School District: This layer provides an overview of the different school districts in Delaware county. It was cool to see how the districts are broken up throughout the county.
• Building Outline 2023: This layer is super busy and contains over 100k records, as it is an overview of every building in Delaware county as of 2023. The site recommended that I zoom in, in order to be able to view all of the records.
• Parcel: This layer was really interesting! This is another one where you have to zoom in so that you can really understand what you’re looking at. It shows different pieces of land or property that are taxable, and if you click on different sections, it goes into even greater detail by showing you the owner of each property.
• Street Centerline: This layer shows every single street in Delaware county. These streets are all paved and are either public or private roads.
• Condo: The data for this layer is more spread out, as condos are much less common in Delaware county. If you click on a condo, it tells you the name of the condo neighborhood, and some other information.
• Subdivision: The data in this layer is split up by condos and subdivisions in Delaware county. I am less familiar with how to interpret this data, so it was a bit confusing.
• PLSS: PLSS stands for Public Land Survey System, and this layer consists of all parts of the PLSS parts of the US and Virginia Military survey districts in Delaware county.
• Township: This layer represents all the townships that are part of Delaware county. It was interesting to see how these were split up and what townships are surrounding me.
• E911 Data: This layer provides 911 agencies the information they may need if they were to comply with phase 2 of 911 requirements. It says this data is updated on a daily basis, which I thought was super cool.
• Building Outline 2021: Once again, this layer shows an outline of every single building or structure in Delaware county as of 2021.
• Original Township: This layer confused me a bit, because it is almost the exact same as the “Township” layer. Again, it shows the townships in Delaware county and how they are split up.
• Recorded Document: This layer shows all addresses in Delaware county that are certified. I zoomed into OWU and clicked on a few datapoints and they were categorized as University Housing, which is obvious but still cool to me.
• Dedicated ROW: This layer was probably one of my favorites that I have seen in this data inventory. This shows all streets that are designated as Right of Way, and almost all streets surrounding OWU count as designated ROW.
• Precinct: The properties of this layer give an overview of all the voting precincts in Delaware county. I do not vote in Delaware county because I’m from Cuyahoga county, so it was cool to see all the places that people can go to in order to vote.
• Map Sheet: This layer was very straightforward, with its summary stating that it shows all map sheets that are within Delaware county.
• Farm Lot: Different farm lots are split up in this layer. There was not much information provided on what exactly this could mean, so again I am unsure of the significance of this layer.
• Annexation: The data in this layer shows annexations in Delaware county from the year of 1853 up until now. There is one big data point of annexation for all areas surrounding OWU.
• Survey: There are many small data points in this layer, each representing a different section of land that was surveyed by the map department.
• Tax District: This layer shows how the tax districts of Delaware county are split up and provides information of the numbers that correspond with each tax district.
• GPS: This layers represents data points of all GPS monuments that are in Delaware county (super cool!).

 

In Chapters 3 and 4, I learned about two powerful tools for creating interactive GIS applications: ArcGIS Experience Builder and ArcGIS Web AppBuilder. Both platforms allow users to create custom web applications, but they differ in terms of flexibility, functionality, and user interface.

Experience Builder felt like a more modern and customizable tool, especially with its drag-and-drop interface and responsive design features, making it well-suited for creating apps that work across devices. I found the widgets library to be highly versatile and liked that you can integrate dashboards, maps, and charts all into one seamless app.

Web AppBuilder, while slightly older, still offers strong tools for fast map-based application development. I appreciated its ready-to-use templates and the large collection of widgets, which are very helpful for creating simple, functional web apps without coding.

Application Idea (Based on Chapters 3 & 4)

For my application, I plan to use Delaware Data from Geog 291 to create a web app highlighting Delaware flood risk zones using Experience Builder. The app will allow users to view flood-prone areas, compare them with demographic data, and access links to emergency preparedness resources. By using interactive widgets, users will be able to filter the map by county, flood zone severity, and population characteristics. This app will be helpful for both public awareness and local decision-making.

Delaware Data Inventory

I have already completed the Delaware Data Inventory assignment previously in Geog 291.

 

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:

• Residents could report issues like broken sidewalks or illegal dumping via Survey123.

• City crews could access Field Maps to view problem areas in real time and log repairs.

• 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

Done in 291

Chapter 3

Exploring the experience builder was really fascinating. I believe this tool will be beneficial for individuals who may not have prior experience with GIS, allowing them to interact with the maps and develop an interest in the subject. The tutorials provided were quite useful for guiding me through the online interface. I also found the question and answer section to be a valuable resource for troubleshooting.

Chapter 4

The brief mention of the post-PC era really caught my attention and made me reflect on how much we take technology for granted. I often forget what it would be like to live without the devices I rely on today. Mobile GIS seems especially useful for accessing data quickly and easily on the go. I also appreciated the table that simplifies the process of sharing feature layers, it really made the concept clearer. The section on Rapid Data Collection was equally interesting.

Application Ideas

I can see how both of these sections are valuable for fieldwork or for individuals who may not be well-versed in GIS but still need to access data rather than build maps. One potential application I see is in the public health sector, where someone may need quick access to data about specific addresses or municipalities to identify clusters of disease cases. In the field, using a mobile app with this data would greatly enhance the ability to address and track health issues.

Data Inventory

I Did this in 291

Selecting Ideas

I’m considering focusing on public health and epidemiology, using concepts from Chapter 3 along with data from the Delaware Data Inventory, to create something that could benefit a health department in their work.

Chapter 3 focused on different parts of ArcGIS. I was able to create a web map using both 2D and 3D maps. I learned how to organize my web map by reshaping and moving my different items to look and function the best. This entire tutorial was very easy to understand and follow. The entire chapter used the web map and showed me how to do many different things with it. Not only did I learn how to add maps, but I also learned how to create different kinds of widgets as well. Each tutorial walked me through a different step of creating a web map.  In the last tutorial, I learned how to navigate multiple pages, which I struggled with at first, but I was able to retrace my steps and figure out what went wrong. For chapter 3 I could create a web map for Delaware County crime by using charts and widgets to show where the crimes are most prominent and what kinds of crimes they are.

Chapter 4 first started by explaining different things GIS on a mobile device can be used for which I then used throughout my tutorials. The first half of chapter 4 taught me how to create, publish and take a survey through ArcGIS Survey123. This is one of my favorite things I’ve learned how to do because it was so easy to navigate and can be used in so many subjects. I also liked that you are also to make it local to you by changing the location when creating the survey. After creating the survey I was able to take the survey on my phone and then look at the statistics on my computer. Then I learned how to make an editable feature layer which I did for the rest of the tutorials. I also learned how to access Field Maps and other extensions on both my phone and computer. For this chapter I would create a survey for students on campus to be able to report areas that need to be cleaned up do to trash.