Tag Archives: GIS

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Collaboration

  November 23, 2014 ,

http://blogs.esri.com/esri/esri-insider/2013/02/01/the-role-of-gis-in-sustainable-economies/ ESRI, Environmental Systems Research Institute, provides software and geographic data to understand and hopefully help solve problems through spatial analysis.  In the blog I have included above, ESRI discusses the role of GIS in creating sustainable systems- how the multifaceted issues facing the world globally and locally are best conceptualized through the use of GIS. “GIS gives us a lens to understand different objectives and create an environment for collaboration.” I think this quote explains why I was so interested in the SIF program. I have a background in GIS, and have seen first hand the ability of it to create collaborative projects and engage varying disciplines. Like GIS, CURVE and the SIF program brings together various interests and backgrounds to tackle innovative projects and help reimagine ones already conceived.  Although the research and visualization part of CURVE is important, without the collaboration part I don’t think much innovation would be possible . Nicole

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Archaeology and Cartography: Why Theory Matters

  November 17, 2014 , ,

Maps are graphic representations that facilitate a spatial understanding of things, concepts, conditions, processes, or events in the human world. [Harley and Woodward 1987:xvi, quoted in Crampton and Krygier 2005:17] Maps and archaeology have a long history. Heinrich Schliemann produced many maps and plans through the course of his excavations in what he deemed ancient Troy (Schliemann 1884). Spatial interpretation at all scales has long been part of the archaeological discourse (Ashmore, 2002; Ebert 2004). Ashmore (2002:1173) states “Myriad scholars, in the United States and elsewhere, have long sought to reconstruct social (or societal) organization from the archaeological record, as viewed through artifacts and features mapped across space (e.g., Chang 1958; Childe 1951; Fox 1932)”. Trends in archaeological cartography have followed those broader themes in archaeological theory as well as in cartographic, geographic and social theory. The “completion” of a map of Teotihuacan in 1970 (Millon 1970) after 8 years of work beginning in 1962(Millon 1964) is a great example of the state of spatial archaeology prior to the advent of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology. This project can be seen as a processual consumption of what Crampton and Krygier term “Scientific Cartography” (2005:20). That is, the use of techniques, method and theory for creating more accurate maps developed during and after the Second World War for the purposes of archaeological research. Million (1964, 1970) describes the project in detail, the methodology used and the attention to detail and accuracy by the project members in the creation of the map. … Continue reading

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Growing Atlanta

  September 3, 2014

The title of this post was inspired by the website created by four undergraduate students I worked with this summer, along with the documentary “Growing Cities”.  I am a virgin to blogging, both because of a resistance to my generations need to express every thought and complaint to the world and my own misconception of what blogging is and is capable of creating.  So, when deciding on what to blog I revisited a blog created by those undergraduates to remind myself of the contribution blogging can have to connect people and invite new ideas. These students, who came from all over the country and knew nothing of urban agriculture in Atlanta, came together in a 7 week research experience and created an introduction to the world of urban farming from the farmer’s perspective.  Adopting a truly bottom up approach to their research- they worked in the gardens, followed the growers through the city for deliveries and other day to day experiences, and took the time to interview and understand the people involved in the slow food movement in Atlanta from planting to policy. Utilizing technology to bring to life the story of these grows, a storymap (http://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/?appid=1734e76f0dda47b289403180265865f0 ) was created and a wordpress website started (http://knowyourgroweratlanta.com/ ).  Following their lead, I furthered my investment with these gardens.  After an arm full of fire ant bites, cuts and pricks, stings and burns, I began to fully conceptualize the hard work and commitment it takes to sustain and develop agriculture in the city. … Continue reading