GIS CENTER N - University of Michigan–Flint · Cartographic map production species. Jeff’s task was to find where in Spatial Analytics Web mapping Data Creation and Management

Issue 8 September 1, 2017

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-FLINT

GIS CENTER NEWSLETTER

The GISC’s mission is to

leverage interdisciplinary

collaborations in the use

of geospatial technology

(GIS, Remote Sensing,

GPS) for research,

education, and

community service.

Contents: EDA University Center Grant GPE Student Travels to Germany to Perform Research GIS Student Helps Biology Researchers GIS User Spotlight GIS Student Spotlight MapFlint Current/Recent Activities in the GIS Center GIS Center Helps Class Use 3D Printer Upcoming Conferences

GIS Center Awarded Grant from UM-Flint EDA University

Center

The GIS Center was awarded a grant by the Universtiy of Michigan-Flint EDA University Center to perform research during the summer of 2017. The research team consisted of Dr. Marty Kaufman, Troy Rosencrants, and two students, Kristin Ball and Mike Keller, that examined the feasibility of creating a SmartZone in Michigan Economic Development Collaborative (MEDC) Region 6. Region 6 consists of 7 counties: Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, and Tuscola.

SmartZones are specially created "technology parks" designed to spur the growth of technology-related or research-oriented businesses and employment opportunities. The research team began their analysis by collecting data that may help determine the feasibility of a SmartZone within the region. These data included all existing businesses (as of May 2017) with sales and employee number information, demographics, amenities, access to healthcare, traffic patterns, and available buildings and sites among others. Sources of these data included ReferenceUSA, US Census, and MEDC’s Site Selection tool.

The two students used these data to perform analysis on trends in county business patterns to provide a context for the economic status of the region. Next, the research team developed a model of approximately 25 variables that were rasterized and scaled from 0-1 to develop an index that will help determine where in the region a SmartZone could exist. Linear regressions, geographically-weighted regressions, and spatial autocorrelation metrics were also used to determine the significance of the different variables. To validate the models, more data were collected in areas of previously established SmartZones to determine if variables in those areas showed similar or different significance.

Dr. Kaufman and Troy Rosencrants will be presenting their results at the 64th Annual North American Meetings of the Regional Science Association International in Vancouver, BC, Canada in November 2017.

The EDA University Center is located within the University Outreach department at U-M Flint.

Community Partners

2015 Annual Commercial Traffic Density

(Source: State of Michigan)

Total Businesses by Zip Code as of May 2017

(Source: Reference USA)

http://www.crim.org/

http://www.gc4me.com/departments/gis/

https://www.cityofflint.com/gis-maps/

http://www.metro-community.org/


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2017

Geographic Information

Systems Center (GISC)

Department of Geography,

Planning, & Environment

University of Michigan-Flint

504 Murchie Science Building

Flint, MI 48502

Phone: (810) 424-5248

Fax: (810) 762-3153

Email: [email protected]

http://www.umflint.edu/gis

Dr. Greg Rybarczyk and GPE

Student Perform Research

Abroad

In Fall 2016, Dr. Greg Rybarczyk was a

visiting scholar at Bergishe University of

Wuppertal (BUW) in Germany and

performed research with faculty and

students in the Department of Urban

Studies & Sustainable Infrastructure

Planning. During the summer of 2017,

Zachary Hayes, a Geography, Planning,

and Environment (GPE) student, went

abroad to help continue the second

phase of the research that Dr. Rybarczyk

started.

The research examines human stress

and bicyclist’s wayfinding success in

urban environments to help planners and

policymakers information to develop

efficient strategies of intervention. Using

GIS to perform spatiotemporal modeling

and integrate data from many different

sensors, the researchers will identify

areas in urban environments where

bicyclists become stressed to determine

why bicyclists become stressed.

UM-Flint’s College of Arts and Sciences

and BUW have had an exchange

partnership since 2012, which Dr.

Rybarczyk hopes will continue to grow

with students from the GPE department.

GISC Services

GIS Instruction Fundamentals of GIS

Transportation Analysis Remote Sensing

Marketing Analysis Web mapping

Urban Planning Natural Resource Management

Consultation

Spatial data conversion and migration

Customized spatial datasets Cartographic map production

Spatial Analytics Web mapping

Data Creation and Management Geo-visualization

Agent Based Modeling

GIS Data Local, regional, and nationwide

spatial data upon request

GPE Student Assists Dept. of Biology Researchers Department of Geography, Planning, and Environment student Jeffrey Bellinger assisted Dr. Jill Witt, Department of Biology, this summer in determining locations to set hair snares to investigate the populations of American martens in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan.

The American marten’s preferred habitat is dense forest, non dependent on tree species. Jeff’s task was to find where in the northern lower peninsula dense forest was located. Jeff collected NAIP imagery for the various counties of interest, performed a supervised classification of forest/non-forest and then calculated percentage forest in hexagonal areas. Based on the percentage, centroids were chosen of study areas to determine where hair snares could be placed.

Throughout the summer, Jeff assisted Dr. Witt’s team of students by providing maps, coordinates of centroids, and

assisting them with GPS needs. The study is wrapping up the hair collections by Fall 2017, with Jeff continuing to help with any potential GIS needs by the research team.

Zachary Hayes in Germany

Results of the supervised classification of forest vs non forest


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Flint, MI 48502

Phone: (810) 424-5248

Fax: (810) 762-3153



GIS Faculty User Spotlight - Matthew Wurtz, Director City of Grand Blanc Department of Public Works Brief Bio I graduated from UM Flint in 1995 while working as Project Manager at the Beecher Metropolitan District. I was hired as the Assistant Public Works Director at the City of Grand Blanc in 1999 and was promoted to Director, my current position, in 2001. While at UM, I was exposed to GIS and realized its’ potential for Public Works management. How do you use GIS within your job? We use our GIS as a virtual map/records room. All construction plans, permits, utility location information, etc. are accessed in a variety of ways through our GIS. Field and office employees access it daily as our primary source of information.

What are your future goals/plans with GIS for the City of Grand Blanc? First and foremost, we need to remain vigilant in updating information and data as it changes so that system remains accurate and useful. Moving forward, we will be using the system as the framework for asset management plans for our different utilities/infrastructure. What is a dataset that you wish existed? The beauty of the GIS is that if you think of a dataset you wish existed (usually because you had to spend a lot of time finding it elsewhere), it can be added. We are frequently adding new layers and tables of information.

GISC Services





Consultation








GIS Student Spotlight Mike Keller, Senior

What is your major?

Environmental Science and Sustainability

What attracted you to the

department?

I have always had an interest in finding ways to harness energy from natural systems like solar, wind water and biogas. My earlier studies in this area provided more education about our earth and the impacts we have from our activity. We must understand the science behind earth systems to be able to better manage our activities and control outcomes which attracted me to Geography, Planning and Environment at University of Michigan - Flint. The professors and faculty of the department are extremely knowledgeable and experienced in these topics. They are passionate about what they teach and want their students to succeed.

What made you interested in GIS?

GIS is an extremely powerful and versatile tool. GIS allows you to use nongeographic data in a geographic form that results in being able to see data in a new way. The idiom, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” sums up a lot about GIS. That visualization is a powerful tool when making data-driven decisions. It also provides a clearer understanding to relationships between different variables. GIS is a versatile tool too. GIS can be used to help solve problems related to earth systems, marketing, urban planning and many other areas.

What is your favorite aspect of GIS?

GIS is just beginning to brush the surface of its potential. With the ability to run background programs that interface with GIS, it can be expanded to many areas with many applications. The online components allow users to share maps and map components making collaboration easy.


SEPTEMBER 1

2017







Flint, MI 48502

Phone: (810) 424-5248

Fax: (810) 762-3153



GISC Services





Consultation








MapFlint Update

MapFlint is a web mapping and data

collection project, currently funded by CS

Mott Foundation, involving the GIS

Center and University Outreach. The

MapFlint website launched in September

of 2016 at the end of the first year of the

grant.

In year two of the grant, MapFlint has

continued to grow. We have started the

process of procuring data sharing

agreements with multiple organizations

that collect and analyze data about Flint

and the surrounding region.

During the Fall of 2017, more public data

will be collected and/or

displayed on MapFlint through the use of

a undergraduate student in the GPE

department, as well as the web

developer and programmer, Phillip

Francis. By the end of 2017, the GIS

Center will produce another white paper

technical report involving profiles of the

City of Flint wards to help gain a sense

of who and what is located within the

City of Flint.

Current/Recent Activities in the GIS Center Presentations Dr. Greg Rybarczyk presented at the Annual Association of American

Geographers Meeting in April of 2017 in Boston. His talk was titled “Neighborhood environment links to food access: A case study in Flint, Michigan, USA.”

Troy Rosencrants participated on a GIS in Higher Education panel at the 26th Annual IMAGIN conference in June of 2017. Troy participated with GIS faculty from SVSU, CMU, EMU, and Northwest Michigan College.

Troy Rosencrants and Dr. Marty Kaufman will be presenting at the 64th Annual North American Meetings of the Regional Science Association International in Vancouver, BC, Canada in November 2017.

Projects Research The GIS Center continues to help researchers use the service line connections

data that is provided via form on the website. There is an updated version (as of November 7, 2016) available.

The GIS Center, through MapFlint, is coordinating with the EDA University Center in University Outreach to help use spatial data.

Consulting Mapping support for Jacob Lederman in Sociology Flint, MI population mapping for Emily Feuerherm in Sociology Alumni mapping support for Alumni Relations Outreach Troy Rosencrants has and will be training various community members, faculty,

and staff on using MapFlint.

GIS Center and GPE Department Recent Publications Rybarczyk, G. and G. Melis. (2017) “ Linking Human Health and

Neighborhood Using Big Data: A Case Study in Torino, Italy” Journal of Transport and Health, 5(supplement): 74-75

Hwang Jae-Hoon, Church Jared, Lee Seung-Jin, Park Jungsu, and Lee Woo Hyoung. Use of Microalgae for Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Sustainable Bioenergy Generation. Environmental Engineering Science. November 2016, 33(11): 882-897. https://doi.org/10.1089/ees.2016.0132.


SEPTEMBER 1

2017







Flint, MI 48502

Phone: (810) 424-5248

Fax: (810) 762-3153



GIS Center Workshops

Keep an eye out for more workshops presented by the GIS Center. If you would like to request a topic for a workshop, contact Troy Rosencrants ([email protected])

U of M Faculty, Staff and Students Have Free Access to Virtual GIS

Courses All University of Michigan faculty, staff, and students have access to free ESRI Virtual Campus GIS courses. No matter your expertise there is a course for you. For more information please visit http://guides.lib.umich.edu/content.php?pid=161311&sid=1363686.

GIS News

ArcGIS 10.5.1 has been released by ESRI. The new release fixes some issues in ArcGIS 10.5, as well as improves some functionality for tools. For more information, go to https://blogs.esri.com/esri/arcgis/2017/06/29/whats-new-in-arcmap-10-5-1/.

A bill has been introduced to

the Senate titled Geospatial Data Act of 2017. The bill establishes a National Spatial Data Infrastructure to improve access to data and more. For more information, go to https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1253.

GIS Job Boards

URISA (http://www.urisa.org/index.php?src=jobs)

AAG Job Board (jobs.aag.org)

www.gjc.org

www.mygisjobs.com

www.gisjobs.com

Upcoming Conferences

2017 Annual Meeting of the East Lakes Divisions of AAG

Hosted by EMU Dept of Geography and Geology on October 12-13, 2017. Any questions can be directed to department head Richard Sambrook.

MI Good Food Summit

The MI Good Food Summit will be held in late October in Lansing. Go to www.michiganfood.org/summits

AAG Annual Meeting

The AAG Annual Meeting will be in New Orleans, LA on April 10-14, 2018. More information at www.aag.org/cs/annualmeeting.

IMAGIN 2018 Annual Conference

The annual IMAGIN conference will be held at Park Place Hotel in Traverse City, MI on June 17-19, 2018. More information is at www.imagin.org/conference.php.

International Conference on Transport & Health 2018

Mission Point Resort, Mackinac Island, MI(USA) on June 24-27, 2018. More information at http://www.tphlink.com/conference-schedule.html

ESRI User Conference: United We Map

The annual User conference by ESRI will be held at the San Diego Convention Center July 9—July 13, 2018. More information is at http://www.esri.com/events/user-conference.

GIS Center Assists Class with

3D Printing

In the Winter 2017 semester, the GIS

Center helped out Dr. Victoria Morckel’s

URP 411 Reimagining Cities class use

the Center’s 3D printer for the second

time. This year the students used

Google Sketchup to create 3D

representations of various buildings in

and around University of Michigan-Flint’s

campus south of the Flint River.

Buildings included Murchie Science

Building, First Street Residence Hall,

University Pavillion, Harrison Street

Parking Ramp and the Flint Farmers’

Market.

Using 3D printed objects can help

planners visualize a space to create

optimal layouts.

Sample of 3D printed buildings

http://guides.lib.umich.edu/content.php?pid=161311&sid=1363686



https://blogs.esri.com/esri/arcgis/2017/06/29/whats-new-in-arcmap-10-5-1/




https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1253



http://www.urisa.org/index.php?src=jobs

jobs.aag.org

http://www.gjc.org

http://www.mygisjobs.com

http://www.gisjobs.com

http://www.aag.org/cs/annualmeeting

http://www.imagin.org/conference.php

http://www.tphlink.com/conference-schedule.html

http://www.esri.com/events/user-conference

Documents

GIS CENTER N - University of Michigan–Flint · Cartographic map production species. Jeff’s task was to find where in Spatial Analytics Web mapping Data Creation and Management