Geography 292: Geospatial Analysis with Web GIS

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.

Chapter 3 was all about additions of the experienced builder it contained widgets, i.e. basic widgets, their functional layout, and how they perform as Apple tools and layout widgets all the way up to target and triggers I think the widgets are good way to make a more interactive map from how we did in 291

Chapter 4 focuses more on mobile GIS, i.e., the mobility of itsmation accessing a large volume  real-time info of users. It was built around mobile devices operating mobile systems and wireless communication. I think that I would like to use the surveys for my final project since we don’t have a library anymore, and that was my favorite place to study. I would like to find out where other students study.

 

My name is Daniela Flores and I’m from Pennsylvania. I’m a sophomore, environmental science major.

I’m familiar with arcGIS since I took GIS 291 before spring break. I was familiar with the website and found it rewarding that I already knew how easy it was to navigate. It was cool to explore the new website and sort of start over in a way, learning the basics but through a different lens. The online basics training helped me go back into my memory at the start of 291 and really grind the foundational skills into my brain so I could learn them. Meow I really enjoyed the format of the basic training, it was simple information you could learn along with the quiz that helped confirm you learned the topics. I liked learning about things we had used in arcGIS, and learning what they are used for. 

One of my favorite ways GIS mapping is used is shark and sea life tracking. The website OCEARCH is a website that tracks sea life like turtles, seals, sharks and dolphins, with this they are able to see things like migration patterns that we have never seen before. Another GIS application is ASPCA to look at the locations of animals in their shelters, and most at risk to reduce shelter intake, and help the shelters that need it more.

Chapter 3

Learning about the experience builder was very cool, and I think that this type of tool will allow people who might not be familiar with GIS to fully engage with the maps and take an interest into the respective topic. The tutorials seemed to be very helpful when navigating the online interface. I also found that the question and answers section was useful for troubleshooting issues.

 

Chapter 4

I thought the little remark about the post PC era was interesting and actually very thought provoking. I tend to group all of technology together and honestly forget what it would be like to not have all of the devices that I have now. Mobile GIS seems to be very useful when you need to access data with the tip of your fingers. I also thought that the table that organizes the sharing of feature layers made it much easier to understand. The section on Rapid Data Collection was also very cool!

Application Ideas

I can see how both of these sections are useful for people out in the field or for people who might not be completely familiar with the backend of GIS and just need to access the data rather than build a map. I think an application for both of these sections would be in the public health field, where someone needs to access data about addresses and their specific municipality to understand where cases of a disease are clustered. Then, out in the field using some true boot strap epi, using the mobile app would allow you to access data and use this to your advantage when identifying issues.

Data inventory

I did this in 291!

Selecting Ideas

I am thinking of going the public health and epidemiology route to try to use concepts from chapter 3 with data from the Delaware Data Inventory in a way that could be applicable to the health department.

Hi, My name is Jes Powell and I am from the Cayman Islands.  I am currently a senior and doing a major in Studio Art.  

For Week 1 the first thing I did was look around my ArcGIS Online account which I was already semi familiar with as I took GEOG 291 during the first half of this semester.  I looked at My Settings, ESRI, Training, Community and Forums, ArcGISBlog and Help which I had already seen some of these from the previous section of this class when one of the tutorials required us to create something on the website.

When doing a read-through of Get Started: What is ArcGIS Online it was pretty basic and standard information.  It laid out the basics for using ArcGIS Online along with what it is useful for.      

The training course, ArcGIS Online Basics was easy to follow through and had a visualization of the information presented which made it easier to understand.  The quizzes were also easy to do and were placed in a way that made it easier to recap each section which was useful.  

The last thing I had to do for this week was to go on Google Scholar and look at something based on my own personal interests.  I started with doing a general search of GIS applications related to birds and found an article on a Bird Migration and how ArcGIS online was used to create a story map that provides information on bird migration through animation maps that show the routes of different species of birds.  My second search was related to the population of stray cats in specific areas which led me to an ArcGIS online story map which was not related to stray cats. It was still interesting as it took a look at how GIS was used to save their cat.  They used GIS to look at the map of sewer networks and stormwater lines and used it to map where they needed to be to get their cat.

 

Source:

https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/story-maps/mapping/telling-the-story-of-bird-migration

https://explorer.audubon.org/explore/species/1469/american-white-pelican/migration?sidebar=collapse&selectedHex=&zoom=3&x=-787128.6037500007&y=2377104.4919&range=0.0350%2C0.0550

<https://storymaps.com/stories/fa56126cacc641c6bde9562ac7b2a7cb>

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

Chapter 3

Web apps created using Experience Builder are called web experiences. Web experiences contain at least one page and can have multiple pages or windows.

Creating a Web Experience:
1. Pick a template (Web AppBuilder classic, mapcentric, dashboard, web page, or website)
2. Select a theme
3. Add source data
4. Add and configure widgets (functional and layout) (configure content, style, and action settings)
5. Refine layouts
6. Save, preview, publish, and share

Widgets, or a JavaScript and HTML component that encapsulates a set of focused functions, can be categorized into two groups: message actions (listen to triggers and perform actions automatically) and data actions (actions button that users can click and select from a list of actions to perform). Triggers, targets, and actions are the three components of message action configurations. 

The three editions of Experience Builder are embedded in ArcGIS Online, embedded in Portal for ArcGIS, and developer edition, with new enhancements first added to the ArcGIS Online edition, then to the developer edition, and finally to the Portal for ArcGIS edition. 

 

Chapter 4

Mobile GIS refers to GIS for use on mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) and is built mainly on android, iOS, and Microsoft Windows operating systems as well as wireless communication technology (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular network technology, and satellite internet services) and positioning technology (GPS and IPS). 

Hosted feature layer views provide a direct way to share data with the public and simultaneously allow members within the organization to keep that data up to date.

A feature template defines the types of data items that users can add to a layer.
Data integrity: Prevents users from entering invalid values for important attributes
Ease of editing: Makes it easier for users to know what type of feature they are using or adding

Depending on the development of the team’s skillset, the application’s required functionality, the targeted platforms, and the amount of funding available, a mobile app may be developed using a browser-based approach, a native-based approach, or a hybrid-based approach.

ArcGIS Field Maps allows organizations to plan and coordinate fieldwork, access maps online or offline, capture accurate data and return it to the office, and obtain the locations of mobile users as well as monitor their current location and analyze their previous locations. 

Survey123 provides two ways to design smart forms: Web Designer (quickly build surveys with no training) and ArcGIS Survey123 Connect (supports more advanced question types or more complex rules). 

ArcGIS QuickCapture is designed to capture data from a moving vehicle.

ArcGIS Indoors assists in understanding the location of things and activities happening within an organization’s indoor environment.

ArcGIS Companion allows the user to access their ArcGIS organization, content, and profile.

Chapter 4 – Survey

 

Application based on ideas from Chapters 3 & 4

I could create an Emergency Response Routing App to assist first responders in Delaware County with identifying optimal routes during emergencies. Using data layers like road networks, traffic patterns, fire stations, hospitals, and parcel data, the app would generate the fastest and safest routes based on real-time conditions. First responders could input an incident location, and the app would analyze road closures, traffic congestion, and proximity to emergency facilities to recommend the best path. Interactive features could allow users to visualize service areas for fire stations and hospitals or predict delays based on historical traffic data. This app would improve response times and enhance coordination between emergency services.