Course: Spatial Analysis | Z_GIS

  • General

    • Introduction Forum
    • Development feedback Forum

      Please post all suggestions and corrections for this module. Refer to specific sections whenever your posting applies to content of a specific section.

    • Topics:

      extracting information from (big) data for decision support
      concepts of adding value from data to information to knowledge
      selection and aggregation
      pattern and structural analysis: PPA, landscape metrics, ...
      distance based analyses, incl allocation
      spatial interpolation
      multithematic analysis and decision support, GeoPlanner
      focus on exploratory analysis, working with ArcGIS Insights

    • Learning objectives (module level):

      • understand the objective of spatial analytics to create information for decision support from data, by exploring patterns, relations and context
      • apply exploratory data analysis techniques to detect any underlying spatial organisation 
      • create analytical workflows from individual methods and techniques aiming at answering specific questions and solving problems
      • select adequate spatial analysis approaches based on generic concepts and data characteristics
      • automate analytical workflows for pattern detection and knowledge extraction 

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  • Instructions: Clicking on the section name will show / hide the section.

    • Learning objectives:

      • understand the value-adding framework of the knowledge pyramid, from data to information to knowledge (and maybe, onwards to wisdom)
      • create a (mental) framework for organising spatial analysis methods and tools following underlying geographical concepts like distance, patterns, coincidence etc.
      • use this framework to establish directions to resources where and how to look up methodology and operations details 

    • Section overview:

    • Geospatial Analysis (eBook) URL

      Keep this bookmarked as a reference - anytime you want to dig deeper or explore an analytical method beyond the scope of this course, this will be your starting point!

    • MOOC: Going Places with Spatial Analysis URL

      Register, and complete this MOOC before, during or after this course depending on scheduled course offerings!

    • Lab: Selection and Aggregation URL

      To understand empirical data sets and to gain insights into patterns and structures, we explore subsets and selectively summarize features,

    • Learn ArcGIS: Solve a spatial problem (25min lesson) URL
    • Web Course: Getting Started with Spatial Analysis URL

      (Use ArcGIS Online version) - Spatial analysis helps you to understand your world. Explore how the six categories of spatial analysis can help you answer geographic questions. Navigate these questions using the spatial analysis workflow and learn how to apply it to your own projects. 

    • Esri Academy (Video): ArcGIS Insights - an introcution URL

      Get to know this tool for exploratory data analysis. It might be worthwhile to dig deeper if it suits your needs!

    • Activities: Page

      Tasks to complete this section

    • YM: Earthquake Analysis File
    • Assessment: Page

      Check out these questions and assignments

    • Orientation video

    • Learning objectives:

      • Explore conceptual foundations of network-constrained mobility and transport
      • Use the principle of 'cost' for creating and applying weighted networks
      • Create simple routes and service areas 
      • Map real world use cases to network analysis methods

    • Section overview:

    • Network Proximity (Video, AGS Proximity Project) URL
    • Lab: Network Analysis URL

      Networks connect people and places, and facilitate activities based on mobility, communication and transport.

    • Esri Academy: Preparing for Network Analysis URL

      (Pro) One of the first steps for transportation network analysis projects is to create the data modeling infrastructure. Learn the basic concepts of network data modeling in ArcGIS and how to use the ArcGIS Network Analyst extension to create a network dataset.

    • Network Analysis (PSU e-education institute) URL
    • Self assessment questions Page
    • Activities: Page

      Tasks to complete this section

    • Assessment: Page

      Check out these questions and assignments

    • Learning objectives: 

      • understand and appreciate 'distance' and 'proximity' as indicators for potential interaction, similarity and relationships in spatial analysis
      • describe choices for distance metrics and select suitable options in particular contexts
      • distinguish and choose between topological (binary) and metric indicators for horizontal (lateral) relationships
      • apply problem-specific methods for measuring and interpreting distance
      • design workflows for distance-based selection, spatial interpolation, nearest neighbour, routing, service areas and pattern analysis based on problem analyses 

    • Section overview:

    • Lab: Distance Analysis URL

      Check and replicate these lab exercises, preferably with your own application scenario and suitable data!

    • GIS&T BoK: FC-42 - Distance Operations URL
    • GIS&T BoK: FC-17 - Proximity and Distance Decay URL

      Elective topic for 'digging deeper'

    • Esri Academy: Introduction to Distance Analysis URL

      (Pro) Distance analysis helps answer a fundamental question about geographic data: How far apart are different locations? In this course, you will learn that "how far apart" means much more than the number of kilometers between places on a map—distance can also include the effect of the landscape on movement. You will learn how distance analysis can create more sophisticated models of near and far. You will also apply distance analysis concepts to answer real-world questions about movement across the landscape

    • Esri Academy: Introduction to Proximity Analysis (Web Course, Pro) URL
    • Learn ArcGIS: How far can you see (1 hour lesson) URL
    • Learn ArcGIS: I can see for miles and miles (50min lesson) URL
    • Activities: Page

      Tasks to complete this section

    • Assessment: Page

      Check out these questions and assignments

    • Orientation 

    • Learning objectives: 

      • understand spatial autocorrelation as a fundamental characteristic in spatial organisation of phenomena, including the tenet of Tobler's first law of Geography
      • apply suitable methods to distinguish between random and clustered distributions of locations and observations
      • select adequate interpolation techniques depending on scale level, sample distribution and spatial variation
      • make informed choices for IDW parametrization and assess quality of interpolation results 

    • Section overview:

    • Lab: Spatial Interpolation URL

      A set of methods aimed at estimating values at target locations based on measurements at nearby sample points.

    • Esri Academy: Interpolating Points Using ArcGIS Online (Web Course) URL
    • Learn ArcGIS: Interpolate values (40min lesson) URL
    • Activities: Page

      Tasks to complete this section

    • Assessment: Page

      Check out these questions and assignments

    • Orientation

    • Section overview:

    • Learning objectives: 

      • be familiar with concepts for modeling spatially continuous phenomena
      • understand, interpret and design analytical workflows for terrain surfaces
      • gain experience with modeling of gravity-controlled surface processes (runoff)
      • manage the parametrization of radiative processes (visibility, solar radiation)
    • Lab: Terrain Analysis URL

      Starting from Digital Elevation Models (DEM), creation and analysis of morphometric parameters offers insights into topographic processes.

    • Lab: Visibility Analysis URL

      Visibility is constrained by topography & what is built or growing on it. Nice vista or visual impact, it starts with line-of-sight analysis.

    • Lab: Surface Runoff URL

      Hydrological catchments are basic landscape elements, defined by surface water runoff, erosion and associated mass transports.

    • Lab: Sun-Shine-Energy URL

      Solar radiation is driving many physical, biological and physiological processes on Earth, essentially providing the energy sustaining life.

    • Learn tutorial: Estimate solar power potential URL
    • Assessment: Page

      Check out these questions and assignments

    • Activities: Page

      Tasks to complete this section

    • Orientation

    • Learning objectives: 

      • understand the value of co-location and spatial coincidence as an indicator for spatial relations, and as a starting point for suitability (and other) modeling
      • experience multi-thematic selection and integration through map algebra, raster calculation and vector overlay
      • use spatial join operations to connect themes by location
      • apply statistical descriptors to explore multi-thematic correlations 

    • Section overview:

    • Lab: Weighted Overlay URL

      A set of tools helping to solve multi-criteria problems like site selection or suitability analysis.

    • GeoPlanner URL

      Geodesign and scenario planning application that keeps the pulse on the environmental impact for new or existing designs. Start from familiarizing yourself with GeoDesign!

    • Suitability Modeler (Advanced) URL

      Explore this topic if you're already familiar with weighted overlay and plan to explore a more complete workflow for suitability assessment.

    • Lab: Cost Surface Analysis URL

      A cost surface facilitates the analysis of propagation, spreading and movement processes in 2D, unconstrained by (transportation) networks.

    • Activities: Page

      Tasks to complete this section

    • Assessment: Page

      Check out these questions and assignments