GIS As A Map Production Tool: Design And Implementation

You are required to capture spatial data from the aerial photograph image, create and register multiple layers for different features/ land uses and manipulate the symbology of each feature. The details for the hardcopy map are supplied below. You are encouraged to use colour, texture, size, shape and pattern where appropriate. 
 

Introduction to GIS and Map Production

Geographical information system (GIS) refers to a framework used to gather, manage as well as analyses data. GIS integrates a variety of data and helps to analyze spatial location as well as organizing information layers into picturing using 3D scenes and maps. Deeper insights thus can be revealed in data, for instance, relationships, patterns and situations hence facilitating informed and intelligent decisions. GIS can, therefore, be applied in either as a tool for research or as a map production tool. This paper specification inclines to explore and apply the latter.

GIS is a mechanical field that joins topographical highlights with forbidden information so as to outline, and evaluate certifiable issues. The catchphrase to this innovation is Geography – this implies the information (or if nothing else some part of the information) is spatial, as it were, information that is somehow referenced to areas on the earth. Combined with this information is normally forbidden information known as quality information.

Property information can be for the most part characterized by extra data about every one of the spatial highlights. A case of this would be schooled. The genuine area of the schools is the spatial information. Extra information, for example, the school name, level of training instructed, understudy limit would make up the trait information. It is the association of this two information composes that empowers GIS to be such a viable critical thinking apparatus through spatial investigation. 

As a map production tool, the GIS is vital in availing a map as informative as possible. Thus, the designer of the map and the map user most likely would be unknown to another. In most cases, the user of the map may lack adequate familiarity with the GIS data, that is, information behind the map. (Bossler, 2010)

The map for reference in this report is of a thematic kind. Another kind of maps includes the reference map which is majorly used to represent topographical features and over a wide area. Thematic maps provide specific distribution and information, mostly over a small area. The thematic map shown for use, in this case, is a two-dimensional display. In order to transfer features to a two-dimensional display from a three-dimensional display, there is a need to use a map projection (Bossler, 2010). Therefore, the map shown is a product of a map projection of a three-dimensional display.

A careful observation of our map reveals features such as roads, paths, parking bays or car parks, vegetation, residential building/ establishments, stadia/ indoor arena, recreational and sporting grounds, among other features. To design the map, therefore, we need to employ the use of symbols to represent these things (Peterson, 2015). The symbols adopted should be coherent and simple to understand to whoever will use the map. Also, there is an absolute need to decide on classification, symbols, and data for use in map design as in this case. Once you have decided on the symbols, classification, and data, we can create a map composition. A map composition comprises of the following:

1. The map
2. A tittle
3. A scale
4. A legend

GIS as a Tool for Spatial Analysis and Research

To attain a good map design, one needs more than choose typestyles and colors. ArcView, a form of Geographical Information System, has made it easy to quickly observe the effects of the decisions you make when designing a map and hence be able to employ several options before obligating to a final design. 

The scale of the map indicates the enlargement or reduction factor of the real features. It is a ratio of whereby one unit in a map represents multiple times that value in the real world. The units for both representations are to be the same. In our case, we will adopt a representation in cm. therefore, for our scale: 1 cm on the map would represent 100cm on the ground. A scale of 1:100. A graphical scale will be adopted in this case as opposed to a verbal scale. The scale bar should be as shown in the figure1. Below:

Figure1. Scale bar.

A map projection is a systematic method of transforming features from a 3D display onto a 2D display. Direction, angle, distances and area properties are handled differently in different map projections. This is to say, not a single map projection is capable to simultaneously preserve all the properties but only part (Lee, 2014). Considering our map of reference, angles are not as important in our map design. Therefore, a projection adopted will be based on the key properties such as the area and distances. Equivalent projections are used thus in this case. Also, to preserve the distances, which should be from all points to all other points, equidistant projections shall be considered. However, azimuthal projections for direction, conformal projections for angles nor compromise projections shall not be used in our design since such properties and their preserve are unessential.

Map generalization specifically stands for an umbrella terminology for multiple processes aimed at eliminating any unnecessary detail. We, therefore, have to choose which features to show and the ones not to in our final design. Features to be shown in our will include, land use such as residential, institutional, industrial, park, car parks, recreational or sports center, all major roads, trees, dry land, roundabouts and road intersections as well as any significant feature as will be in the final design.

It would be nearly impractical to have to develop a unique symbol for every data for example when it comes to land use (E.S., 2008). Therefore, the land use pattern of similar characteristic, for instance, the car park will be grouped together and be represented by the same symbol. A set of classification classes of 5 will be adopted in this case as follows:

1. Car park
2. Residential
3. Institutional- stadia
4. Industrial /offices
5. Dryland

Map Production Design Elements

Suppose that while assigning these parcels to classes and it becomes necessary to add onto the list since it does not any of this classes, a new class for that specific class or to expand the definition of the existing shall be created. Equal range classification scheme shall, therefore, be the most suitable classification scheme to be used in this case hence shall be used when designing this map. Similarly, a classification scheme of natural breaks can be useful. 

This entails allocating symbols to represent real features. It comprises the following parameters:

Geographical dimension

In this case, our data type is Arial data.

Measurement level

This characterizes on how data are measured, either quantitatively or qualitatively. In our design, the data is qualitative. Data can as well be described by measurement levels such as interval, nominal and ordinal. Nominal data level will be essential in our design. For instance, nominal data on land use: - residential, car park, dryland, trees.

Data processing: standardized statistics will be used in this case. (E.S., 2008) 

To communicate its meaning meritoriously, your map prerequisites framework:  a title, a legend, a scale bar.  Thus, the map is really just one element in the page layout (or map composition).  The layout can be designed for various forms of display:  a paper printout, a computer monitor, or a wall-sized poster. The basic elements of design include:  balance, hierarchy, figure-ground relationships, and contrast. Balance denotes to the planning of elements in the global composition, and whether these elements look stable or not. Hierarchy states to the apparent significance of the map elements.  The utmost important information on a map should have more visual impact than the background information.  This can be attained by several techniques, such as creating important elements grander, or with bright colors.

The figure-ground relationship is part of the visual chain of command. Articles that seem to emerge are "figures" while the foundation data is the "ground." Important data, for example, images ought to show up as a figure, while the setting data ought to show up as ground.

Contrast refers to the degree to which diverse features are discernible from one another.  Objects that stand out from their back-ground take high contrast, while objects that seem to balance together take low contrast.  

In summary, GIS works on numerous levels. On the most fundamental level, GIS is utilized as PC cartography, i.e. mapping. The genuine power in GIS is through utilizing spatial and measurable techniques to dissect characteristic and geographic data. The final product of the investigation can be subsidiary data, interjected data or organized data. 

References

Bossler, J. (2010). Manual of geospatial science and technology. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press, pp.520-587.

Cartogis.org. (2018). Cartography and Geographic Information Science. [online] Available at: https://cartogis.org/ [Accessed 6 Sep. 2018].

E.S., N. (2008). Cartography and Geographic Information Science, Volume 35. 1st ed. Michigan: American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, pp.68, 217-219.

Geospatial Institute. (2018). Geospatial Concepts: The Fundamentals of Geospatial Science. [online] Available at: https://www.geospatial.institute/geospatial-concepts/ [Accessed 6 Sep. 2018].

Lee, D. (2014). Geodesign by Integrating Design and Geospatial Sciences. 1st ed. Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp.102-129.

Coursera. (2018). Lesson 5 - Lecture 1 - Making Great Maps | Coursera. [online] Available at: https://www.coursera.org/lecture/geospatial/lesson-5-lecture-1-TCu74 [Accessed 6 Sep. 2018].

Peterson, G. (2015). GIS cartography. 2nd ed. Florida, USA: CRC Press, pp.223-255.

Tandfonline.com. (2018). [online] Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00087041.2017.1400199 [Accessed 6 Sep. 2018]