Spatial Thinking in Planning Practice: An Introduction to GIS

45 CHAPTER 8: MANIPULATING GIS DATA Before today, we have been mainly working on data that we downloaded from certain sources, or creating new GIS shape!les. We basically present whatever we have, and we haven’t taken advantage of the greatest strength of a geographic information system (GIS), notably the explicit spatial relationships. Spatial analysis is a fundamen- tal component of a GIS that allows for an in-depth study of the topological and geometric properties of a dataset or datasets. Geoprocessing is to provide tools and a framework for performing spatial analysis and managing your geographic data. "is chapter by Longley et al (2001) !rst discusses what is spatial analysis, and continued two major spatial analysis, one based on location, and the other based on distance. While knowing geo-processing refers to tools that allow one to perform GIS tasks that range from simple bu#ers and polygon overlays to complex regression analysis and image classi!cation, spatial analysis refers to e#orts that turns data into information: making what is implicit explicit, and what is invisible visible. "is is especially true for urban planners, whose needs require decisions to be based in data and from di#erent disciplines. "e kinds of tasks to be automated can be mundane—for example, to collect di#erent data and transform it from one for- mat to another. Or the tasks can be quite creative, using a sequence of operations to model and analyze complex spatial relationships—for example, calculating optimum paths through a transportation network, predicting the path of wild!re, analyzing and !nding patterns in crime locations, predicting which areas are prone to landslides, or predicting 'ooding e#ects of a storm event. One point to be highlighted is that, spatial analysis open the door for a lot of more sophisticated GIS tools to us. "is does not underestimate the power of map making. "e design of a map can be very sophisticated and that maps provide a means of conveying geographic information and knowledge by revealing patterns and processes. Map making itself, can be one way of conducting spatial analysis. Read the book chapter Longley, Goodchild; Maguire, and Rhind. Geographic Information Systems and Science. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2001. Spatial Data Analysis. Chapter 14. Discussion Questions 1. What geo-processing tasks may be most useful for GIS analysis in your planning interests (e.g. environ- ment, transportation, community development, etc.)? 2. How might we use geo-processing to !nd patterns of development that have unintended consequences on the quality of life for residents? 3. As spatial analysis becomes more complex, what are ways for communicating your spatial analysis to non-technical audiences? Contextual Applications of Chapter 8 "e 5 U.S. Counties Where Racial Diversity Is Highest—and Lowest "e Number of Americans Living in High-Poverty Neighborhoods Is Still on the Rise