Spatial Synthesis
Volume II, Book 1:
Scientific, Planning, Humanitarian, and Teaching Applications, From DevInfo to Google Earth

ACTION

Source:  Visualizing Rank and Size of Cities and Towns.  Solstice:  An Electronic Journal of Geography and Mathematics, Volume XVII, Number 2, 2006, Sandra L. Arlinghaus and Michael Batty.  See related material below.

      • S. Arlinghaus, G. Nystuen, J. Nystuen:  Continued modeling of the Ann Arbor CBD following up on the efforts presented in the linked materials below--
G. Nystuen suggests that the City of Ann Arbor should commission (for a fee) the modeling of the effects of changes to the zoning ordinance as currently proposed.  That idea would "sell" the idea of work already donated for this purpose to the Downtown Development Authority and the City of Ann Arbor in 2004 and chronicled in both the Ann Arbor News and in a linked article:  Arlinghaus, Beal, and Kelbaugh:  The View from the Top:  Visualizing Downtown Ann Arbor in Three Dimensions.  J. Nystuen notes that, since 2004, we are now faced with the unintended extremes  that had been mere possibilities in the past but are now proposed under the Cxx zones as amended in 2006. A new zoning scheme is proposed in which the D1D2 zoning replaces all Cxxx zones. It would be interesting to zoom around in the virtual Ann Arbor world to show some possible scenarios that could occur under the new D1 and D2 zones. The results would be dramatic--all the more so today than in 2004 (and earlier presentations of similar material) when 3D modeling was so new that it was difficult for all but a handful of municipal authorities to appreciate.
      • S. Arlinghaus and M. Naud:  Continuing analysis of 3D flood population-environment models. 
This work follows up on earlier analysis present in the 3D Atlases of Ann Arbor (linked above) and also in models present in the Google SketchUp 3D Warehouse.  See the Collections by Archimedes (pseudonym of S. Arlinghaus).  Many of Archimedes's models have achieved "Blue Ribbon" status and are therefore part of the default set of materials in Google Earth (Archimedes is also a "Featured Modeler" in the 3D Warehouse).  Other models can be downloaded directly from the 3D warehouse.
Continuing work with Ph.D. and other students in a one-on-one setting to teach them to integrate new software, particularly those that permit the visualization of 3D images, with their own data.  The primary method used at present is to analyze the data in ESRI's ArcMap and export the results to Google Earth using the strategy set forth in this document.
Here, Arlinghaus extended work done with Google Earth Ann Arbor tall buildings (housed in the Google 3D Warehouse as "Archimedes")  in seeing the patterns they create as Google Earth "bar charts"  Batty supplied the needed data from his comprehensive set to run preliminary tests of this scientific application in population-environment dynamics.
This scientific/planning application of Google Earth draws concepts from classical cartography into the rich environment of Google Earth.  In so doing, it derives strength from far-flung earlier work involving 3D modeling of mathematical, scientific, and envisioning concepts.
Maps and Decisions:  an existing course structure (developed by S. Arlinghaus) in which the underlying philosophy is that the decisions we make influence the maps that we make AND that the maps we make influence the decisions we make.  The future might see the development of more than course material, possibly employing DevInfo data (live-feed or otherwise) in the existing Internet environment.  Related article, Sandra Lach Arlinghaus  Maps and Decisions:  Allen's Creek Floodplain, Opportunity or Disaster?  Solstice:  An Electronic Journal of Geography and Mathematics, Volume XIII, Number 1, 2001.  The methods developed in this earlier course extend into current teaching strategies, as well.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Software used in analysis:
  • DevInfo 5.0:  http://www.devinfo.org/
  • Adobe® PhotoShop and ImageReady
  • Adobe® DreamWeaver
  • ESRI:
    • ArcView® 3.2
    • ArcGIS® 9.2
      • ArcCatalog®
      • ArcMap®
  • Google Earth®
Author affiliations:
  • Arlinghaus, Sandra Lach.  Adjunct Professor of Mathematical Geography and Population-Environment Dynamics, School of Natural Resources and Environment, The University of Michigan.  Executive Committee Member (Secretary) Community Systems Foundation, sarhaus@umich.edu, http://www-personal.umich.edu/~sarhaus/
  • Naud, Matthew.  Environmental Coordinator and Assistant Emergency Manager, Systems Planning Unit, City of Ann Arbor
  • Oswalt, Kris S.  President, Community Systems Foundation
  • Rayle, Roger.  Scio Residents for Safe Water
  • Lars Schumann.  Manager and Research Computer Specialist, University of Michigan 3D Laboratory at the Duderstadt Center; also of Cornell University, Ithaca NY
  • Arlinghaus, William C.  Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI
  • Arlinghaus, William E.  General Manager, Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI
  • Batty, Michael. Bartlett Professor of Planning and Director of the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) at University College London
  • Haug, Robert.  Ph.D. Candidate, Middle Eastern and North African Studies, The University of Michigan
  • Larimore, Ann Evans.  Professor Emerita, Residential College, The University of Michigan
  • Longstreth, Karl.  Head, Map Library, The University of Michigan
  • Nystuen, Gwen L.  Parks Advisory Commission; Environmental Commission; City of Ann Arbor
  • Nystuen, John D.  Professor Emeritus of Geography and Urban Planning, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, The University of Michigan.  Chief Executive Officer, Community Systems Foundation
Published by:
Institute of Mathematical Geography

http://www.imagenet.org
http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/58219
August, 2008.
 Copyright by Sandra Arlinghaus, all rights reserved.