Geography 292: Geospatial Analysis with Web GIS

Chapter 4 is about mapping density, which is useful when analyzing areas of different sizes. Density maps help show patterns rather than individual points or connections. There are two main ways to create a density map. The first method is by using defined areas. This is a quick and easy way to display data that has already been summarized. However, it’s not the most detailed method since it doesn’t come directly from raw data. If extra detail isn’t necessary, this method is a great way to visualize patterns. The second method is by using a density surface. This approach is more detailed but requires a lot more data input since it doesn’t use pre-summarized data. It looks similar to raster models because it uses layers and cells. It’s also possible to switch between the two methods by assigning values to summarized maps. Factors like cell size, search radius, calculation methods, and units impact how the final map looks.

Chapter 5 focuses on taking a closer look at maps to understand how different features, values, and layers work together. It also revisits the idea of discrete versus continuous values. Discrete values are unique and identifiable, like locations or addresses. Continuous values can be numerical or categorical, but they vary across an area.

This chapter also explains different ways to study areas and features. One way is by looking at the overall areas and features, which gives a quick visual representation but doesn’t provide specific data points. Another way is by selecting inside an area, which gives precise information about that space but doesn’t help with anything outside of it. Lastly, overlaying methods combine multiple layers of data to create a more detailed view. This method is useful but requires a lot of data input.

Chapter 6 begins by discussing the difference between mapping by distance versus cost. Distance mapping is usually enough, but it’s not always the most detailed option. Cost mapping considers travel expenses and effort, making it more precise but also more complex. This fits with a common theme in the book: more detailed methods require more data and effort.

The chapter also introduces planar and geodesic mapping. Planar mapping assumes the Earth is flat, which works for small areas. However, for larger areas, geodesic mapping is needed to account for the Earth’s curvature.

Different methods can be used to analyze distance within a map. District bands help compare distance with other characteristics, while inclusive rings show how totals increase as distance grows

Creating buffers is another important concept. Buffers define boundaries around values, helping to highlight edges and centers. The rest of the chapter focuses on how to apply these methods in real-world mapping. I’m curious to see how all of this will come together when we start working through tutorials and applying what we’ve learned.

Chapter 1- This chapter introduced me to using ArcOnline, which was a different experience compared to what I had learned in Geog 291. At first, I was able to follow along easily, but as I got further into the chapter, I ran into challenges when working with data layers. One of the biggest issues was figuring out how to properly format my data so that it would display correctly on the map. I had to go back and double-check my work multiple times before it finally looked right.

Another part that I found difficult was understanding how to adjust the symbology settings to better represent the data. I wanted to make the map more visually clear, but I struggled to find the right colors and symbols that would best display the information. After experimenting with different options, I started to get the hang of it. I realized how important these small details are in making a map both informative and easy to read.

Chapter 2- Going into this chapter, I was feeling more confident, and overall, things went more smoothly. One of the first tasks was working with attribute tables, which I found really helpful in organizing and understanding the data. Being able to filter and sort information within the table made it much easier to see patterns in the dataset.

A challenge I faced in this chapter was trying to properly configure labels for the map. I wanted certain features to stand out, but some of the labels were either too small or overlapping in a way that made the map look cluttered. After adjusting the settings multiple times, I was finally able to make the labels clear and readable.

By the end of the chapter, I felt a lot more comfortable with these tools, and I started to see how all the different elements—layers, symbols, labels, and attribute tables—come together to create an effective map. I’m looking forward to applying what I learned to more complex projects in the future.

Chapter 3 mainly discussed the ArcGIS Experience Builder, which I found surprisingly easy to use even without much Web GIS experience. I was also pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to create both 2D and 3D  maps and customize them using widgets to make them more interactive. The tutorials walked me through how to build multi-page apps and organize content visually, which was helpful. Chapter 4 dove into the mobile aspects of Web GIS, which I hadn’t realized was so advanced. The idea of GIS moving into the “post-PC era” stuck with me—it’s really crazy how much we rely on mobile devices now, and even more impressive that we can collect and analyze data directly from them. While I found it helpful in GEOG291 to learn how to use desktop GIS, this is definitely the future of this kind of software. Learning how to use Survey123 and Field Maps opened up a lot of possibilities for real-time data collection. I loved how you could easily make surveys to fit local needs and then access and analyze that data seamlessly. Additionally, I could see that the section on rapid data collection was particularly relevant for emergency response, environmental monitoring, or even community engagement projects. Overall, these chapters made me realize how much more accessible and action-oriented Web GIS can be, it really expands the user base. One way I thought of that Survey123 can be used in conjunction with a web map is to create a lost and stray animal reporting system where community members could submit details like location, photos, and contact info through a simple survey. The data would then appear on a real-time web map, helping users spot patterns and filter reports, with the goal of connecting lost pets with their owners quickly.

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

Chapter 6

Moving, discrete, stationary, and change are the categorical groupings of spatiotemporal data. The time value of an event can be a point in time (e.g. moment of lightning strike) or a duration of time (e.g. the time a wildfire starts and ends) in spatiotemporal GIS data. 

IoT is the network of physical objects embedded with sensors and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data. Smart cities (supply information to assist a city in managing assets and resources efficiently) are an enterprise IoT application and smart homes are a consumer IoT application. 

The basic components of both ArcGIS Velocity and GeoEvent Server are ingest, process, and output. Feed items, real-time analytic items, and big data analytic items are exclusive to ArcGIS Velocity. 

The poll or the push method may be used to deliver real-time data from servers to clients. The traditional approach is the poll method where a client periodically polls the server to retrieve the latest data. The push approach is a new way to serve data using the HTML5 WebSocket protocol. 

ArcGIS Dashboards allows the user to monitor and track events in real or near real time by providing a common view of the systems and resources being managed. 

ArcGIS Mission provides geospatial collaboration and tactical awareness capabilities. The three components of Mission are Mission Manager (web app), Mission Responder (mobile app), and Mission Server (ArcGIS Enterprise server). 

Animating time-series data allows the user to visualize the data at each step, or interval, and see patterns and trends emerging over time. Animating time-series data involves creating a time-enabled layer, adding the layer to a web map, and creating a web app using ArcGIS ready-to-use web client.

Chapter 6 – Dashboard

 

Application based on ideas from Chapter 6

I could create a web dashboard that explores how land development in Delaware County affects local waterways and wetlands. By combining parcel, zoning, and hydrology data, the dashboard would visualize which properties are located near sensitive environmental areas. Users could interact with the map, filter parcels by zoning type, and view statistics like the number of developments within a certain distance of streams or wetlands. Charts, indicators, and pop-ups would make it easy to understand where development might pose a risk to water quality or natural habitats. This kind of application could promote environmentally responsible planning by making complex spatial data clear and engaging for the public.

Chapter 1 basically just introduces the main ideas of Web GIS. I was particularly interested in learning about its growing impact across a variety of industries including governmental entities, businesses, and educational institutions. This chapter also discussed the flexibility of Web GiS in storing and sharing data, either in the cloud through ArcGIS Online or directly managed by users. The software integrates many essential elements of mapping such as data, layers, web maps, scenes, tools, and apps, to create a user-friendly system for the synthesis of interactive and shareable maps. The tutorials helped me learn the basics of Web GIS by guiding me through the simple process of creating items, adding them to folders, and publishing maps for public viewing. Understanding the different types of layers that can be used and how they can be applied to practical projects is something I know will be useful in the future. Although parts of this chapter and its information felt intuitive due to my experience in ArcGIS Desktop, Web GIS clearly makes sharing data and my visualizations much easier, and makes this software and its benefits more accessible for a broader audience. Overall, this chapter provided a great foundation for understanding Web GIS and its potential applications. Chapter 2 continues to discuss layer types and introduces smart mapping, which helps to simplify maps to highlight data patterns. I found the mapping styles table helpful for selecting the right map type for projects. The chapter also covers ArcGIS Arcade, a scripting tool for customizing popups, similar to using formulas in Excel. It goes into more detail on personalizing popups to make data easier to understand and introduces Story Maps as a way to combine text, media, and interactive maps for clear communication with non-GIS audiences. The tutorials on creating story maps with swipe comparisons and timelines were especially useful. Chapters 1 and 2 could be used for many applications, one idea that excites me would be creating a wildlife conservation map with popups to track endangered species. This would be a useful tool for biologists to have and share data to track populations and possibly look at change over time.

Chapter 6 first had me create a dashboard with 911 calls and incident reports. On the dashboard, I started by adding a map and then added numerous other elements. I added a gauge and changed the colors based on percentages; I added a list of the 10 most recent incidents, which was updated in real-time. I also made a pie chart, a serial chart, and a header. I was also able to reorganize them on the screen so that the map still took up the majority of it. I also added a category selector, which is added to the header so that when you toggle it on and off, it shows different elements. I also had to write expressions for Arcade to change the highlighting for different elements. For the fifth tutorial, I created a time-enabled feature layer. I created a new item and made it time zone specific. For the last tutorial I animated time series data. This was similar to something I did in GEOG 291 so it was more familiar to me. I did this by accessing map properties and creating a time slider. This was used to show population change in the US from 1790-2000 1 decade at a time. I was able to customize the slider and created an app for the slider. For this chapter I would choose to create a dashboard for incident reports in Delaware County by using the data from GEOG 291.

Chapter 6

Within the first few sentences of the chapter, this was immediately a topic that I had not really thought of before. It had never occurred to me that we would need to account for real-time movement for objects and such for some reason. I had to look up what the Internet of Things  was and learned that it is an entire network of devices. While reading this chapter, it helped me understand how my Maps knows where my car is and the dot on the screen moves as I drive and it makes much more sense! The section on Smart Homes was also something that I did not think would have a GIS application but here we have it! As a public health major, I found the section on the COVID dashboard to be very applicable and would like to use this model/idea for an application idea. I think it would be interesting to use this dashboard for binge-drinking data to understand how location can play an important role in being a potential risk factor.

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