Some Concepts That Underpin GIS - Introducing Geographic Information Systems with ArcGIS - page 10

You may use scissors, xerography, a computer-based drawing program, a light table, and any other tools to
solve the problem.
You are asked to present a map that shows all, repeat ALL, the areas where the company could
build, while meeting the requirements stated previously. Make your map the same scale and size
as those maps provided on the DVD. Outline in red all the areas that meet the requirements. You don't
need to produce a high-quality cartographic product. The main objective here—indeed the object of this
textbook—is to analyze geographic data. While making maps is important, it is not the primary focus of
this topic.
Write a brief description (100 to 200 words) of the procedure you used to make the map.
The problem is much easier than it might otherwise be because the maps provided cover exactly the same
area, have the same underlying assumptions regarding the shape and size of Earth, are at the same
scale, and use the same projection of Earth's sphere onto the flat plane of the map. These benefits are
often not available in the real world, where you frequently need a considerable amount of data preparation
to solve such a problem. ArcGIS has many tools to aide in “lining up” geographic data. Despite these
advantages, the process can be somewhat daunting.
More of What GIS Is About
Completing Exercise 1-1 showed how GIS can help you solve one kind of problem. There are many
others. Computer-based GIS not only serves the purpose of traditional maps but also helps you perform
activities that involve spatial analysis, even without maps. Understanding conditions that occur in
the vicinity of Earth's surface are important in building structures, growing crops, preserving wildlife
habitat, protecting ourselves from natural disasters, navigating from one point to the next, and a myriad
of other activities.
Among the many uses of GIS are:
Land use—Helps determine land uses, zoning, environmental impact analysis, locational analysis,
and site analysis.
Natural environment—Identifies, delineates, and manages areas of environmental concern, analyzes
land-carrying capacity, and assists in developing environmental impact statements.
Energy—Examines costs of moving energy, determines remaining available energy reserves, investi-
gates the efficiency of different allocation schemes, reduces waste, reduces heat pollution, identifies
areas of danger to humans and animals, assesses environmental impacts, sites new distribution lines
and facilities, and develops resource allocation schemes.
Human resources—Plans for mass transit, recreation areas, police unit allocation, and pupil
assignment; analyzes migration patterns, population growth, crime patterns, and welfare needs. It
also manages public and government services.
Areas of environmental concern—Facilitates identification of unique resources, manages designated
areas, and determines the relative importance of various resources.
Water—Determines floodplains, availability of clean water, irrigation schemes, and potential and
existing pollution.