J M Piwowar Geog 805 GIS and Spatial

Why Does Geography Matter? § Almost everything that happens, happens somewhere. Knowing where something

If so many problems are geographic, how can we distinguish them from each other?

GIScience and Problem Solving § Knowledge about how the world works is more valuable

GIScience § Set of basic research issues raised by the handling of geographic data

GISystem § A computer-based system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying georeferenced data.

Questions a GIS can Answer § Questions a GIS can answer v. Location: What

The Geographic Approach § By combining the science of Geography with the technology of

Some Applications § § § § © J. M. Piwowar Environmental Park Management Agriculture

What is GIS? http: //www. esri. com/what-is-gis/index. html © J. M. Piwowar Geog 805:

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Why Does Geography Matter? § Almost everything that happens, happens somewhere. Knowing where something happens can be critically important. © J. M. Piwowar Geog 805: GIS & Spatial Analysis What is GIS? 2

If so many problems are geographic, how can we distinguish them from each other? § Spatial Scale § Purpose v Practical problems v Theoretical problems § Time Scale v Operational decisions v Tactical decisions v Strategic decisions © J. M. Piwowar Geog 805: GIS & Spatial Analysis What is GIS? 3

GIScience and Problem Solving § Knowledge about how the world works is more valuable than knowledge about how it looks. § GIS solves the ancient problem of combining general scientific knowledge with specific information, and gives practical value to both. § Many geographic problems involve multiple goals and objectives, which are often contradictory in nature. © J. M. Piwowar Geog 805: GIS & Spatial Analysis What is GIS? 4

GIScience § Set of basic research issues raised by the handling of geographic data (Goodchild, 1992): v Unique characteristics of geographic data v Distinct nature of geographic problem solving v Interaction between geographic information research and related disciplines v Societal benefits / impacts of using geographic information © J. M. Piwowar Geog 805: GIS & Spatial Analysis What is GIS? 5

GISystem § A computer-based system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying georeferenced data. Aronoff, 1989 § A computer-based system for managing geographic data and using these data to solve spatial problems. Lo & Yeung, 2002 © J. M. Piwowar Geog 805: GIS & Spatial Analysis What is GIS? 6

Questions a GIS can Answer § Questions a GIS can answer v. Location: What is at. . . ? v. Condition: Where is it? v. Trends: What has changed since. . . ? v. Patterns: What spatial patterns exist? v. Modelling: What if. . . ? © J. M. Piwowar Geog 805: GIS & Spatial Analysis What is GIS? 7

The Geographic Approach § By combining the science of Geography with the technology of GIS, we can: v. Collect and organize data to better understand the Earth; v. Analyze data to create geographic knowledge; v. Apply geographic knowledge to find solutions. © J. M. Piwowar Geog 805: GIS & Spatial Analysis What is GIS? 8

Some Applications § § § § © J. M. Piwowar Environmental Park Management Agriculture Public Utilities Health Care Emergency 911 Real Estate Marketing Geog 805: GIS & Spatial Analysis What is GIS? 9

What is GIS? http: //www. esri. com/what-is-gis/index. html © J. M. Piwowar Geog 805: GIS & Spatial Analysis What is GIS? 10