Humboldt GIS Case Studies

Using GIS and digital cartography to assess current development questions in Humboldt County:  Case Studies

Study several local "development problems" and "weigh in" after doing a literature search on these issues, developing GIS models using relevant material, and producing conclusions.

Development Issues:

• HSU Accessibility Analysis:  GIS for analysis and cartography for presentation
• Orick Telecommunications Infrastructure:  What are the options, coverage issues, and costs?
• Rails vs. Trails:  Using GIS to analyze the 2 major reuse options for the old railline
• Analyzing traffic issues based on # traffic incidences and violations at a given location along with speed, traffic volume and "twistiness"
• Analyzing Humboldt's best alternative energy opportunities
• Examining slopes and angles of incedence to determine areas with maximum solar potential
• Examining the bay using remote sensing and data to assess the opportunities for wave-energy options
• Analyzing the fish kill problem using GIS

Over-arching theme:  GIS is an important development tool that can be used by the people to improve their unerstanding of and importance in the local development process

Note:  Perhaps I should focus on just one or two of these issues?

Digital Cartography in the Early 21st Century

Digital Cartography in the Early 21st Century: Using Dynamic Digital Maps to Improve Stakeholders Ability to Participate in Local Development Discourse

The purpose of this paper is to review the current breadth and depth of opportunities to use digital cartography to improve discourse between stakeholders by removing language and culture barriers and precisely locating and visualizing issues through the use of dynamic digital mapping tools.

There are a number of myths about map-making, digital cartography and GIS that I would like to review and analyze (particularly focusing on the barriers and opportunities inherent to GIS and digital cartography) for the sake of improved general understanding among scientists and engineers about what digital cartography can represent, how it can be made and understood, how cartography will and could influence public opinion, and how scientists can communicate with the general public more effectively through online mapping tools.

After setting the landscape of digital cartography, including a brief historical review of the development of, and uses for maps, I will analyze case studies of dynamic digital cartography / GIS and how dynamic features of digital cartography are changing the nature of maps from a scientific research and analysis tool to a common feature of development discourse that could play a key role in the future of development, particularly on the local level.

I will use case studies of projects that I have researched as well as projects on which I have worked. The case studies will focus on local development quandaries that are or could be illuminated through the use of digital cartography tools.

All in all I hope to show that digital cartography will be increasingly important for not only scientists and engineers in the 21st century, but for the people. As science and engineering become more important parts of public discourse, communication through maps will become increasingly important, and creativity in map making will continue to bear important fruit. The opportunities available through GIS and dynamic digital mapmaking to gain both quantitative and qualitative data about people and places at multiple scales simultaneously presents a conjunctural possibility of improving development discourse for local stakeholders.

Map making is not without its pitfalls. Maps harbor some of the same concerns that befall statistics, charts and other forms of visual communication (tangent into Edward Tufte and Powerpoint but resolving with Apple Keynote?), more so because it is supposed to represent the land we share, our most sacred relationship. That is why it is important for scientists to help other stakeholders to participate in development discourse using dynamic digital cartography tools when dealing with abstract questions about the society and the environment.

Case Studies:

• HSU Interactive Accessibility Map
• Wintu GIS
• MapServer or HostGIS projects

People to Involve:

• Dennis Fitzsimons / Mary Beth Cunja
• Steven Steinberg
• Doug Renwick / HostGIS
• or Matt Perry / MapServer?
• Llyn Smith
• Burt Dyer

GIS For the People

GIS is a powerful new tool that faces a number of challenges before it can be a truly powerful tool for the people.  This paper examines the feasibility of GIS as a powerful tool for the people.

Questions:

• GIS is expensive, time-consuming and requires dedication.  Do these hurdles mean the average person cannot participate in GIS development and analysis?
• Expensive:  Does one have to own a high-powered computer and a piece of expensive software to develop and analyze GIS?
• Free GIS tools vs. ArcGIS
• Is it worth learning a free tool since ArcGIS is the industry standard?
• GIS in the workplace
• Can you learn about GIS in your work place?  What percent of places of business have a GIS setup?
• Can an employee "just pick up" ArcGIS?
• GIS in the Public:
• Are there places in the public that one can use GIS software or hardware?
• What about online?  What online tools are available for one to do GIS development and analysis?
• Time Consuming:  Must one learn confusing technology and go through a cartographinc undergraduate degree to be a player in GIS development and analysis?
• Online GIS Tools
• Google Earth
• Requires Dedication:  Can GIS only be successfully performed after years of study?

Maps as Development Tools

Designing maps as development tools for telecommunications options and grant research funding for Orick.

The idea is to develop maps and reports for the Orick Broadband Initiative so they can study the various options of their telecommunications infrastructure options.

Maps Including:

• Maps of existing infrastucture and radius of options
• Maps showing coverage / wireless visibility & potential transmitter locations

Graphs Including:

• Long-term charts
• Grant Availability: Time of year vs. amount available
• Charts of cost over time, including both a line chart and a mountain chart to show instantaneous cost vs. overall cost over time.

Assessments of:

• Feasibility of various technologies:  DSL/Cable/T1+
• Low hanging fruit
• Long term sustainability