Lab #6: Fire hazard mapping

My Station Fire Hazard Map


Modeling the Wildland/Urban Interface Tutorial


The process of creating this fire map required patience and resolve. As I learned, raster spatial analysis has its own particularities and pitfalls, but with focus and help from the methods used in the tutorial there was much to be learned. The process of data acquisition required the creator to have a good understanding of the methods in which this map could be created. There were many similar shapefiles on the FRAP website that could easily trick you up if you were not paying close attention to the steps in creating this map. Knowledge of methods such as raster clipping, analysis masking and the reclassification of layers helped greatly to understand the creation of the hazard map.

This lab wonderfully illustrated the distinct differences between manipulating vector data and raster data. The differences were quite great at times and required a different mode of thinking. I found many of the processes required you to forget about the ways you knew how to manipulate data with vector and become more familiar with the unique methods surrounding raster data. At times, I had trouble confirming layer formats, cell sizes and changes in extent coverage. By working through these difficulties I was able to better understand the processes behind these techniques.

Though some of the techniques for processing raster data were difficult at times, I found that once you had a better feel for the ideas that many very valuable things could be achieved with it. Through gaining a better understanding for these tools, I found methods that could save myself time and prevent mistakes. Though, one problem I found, was that given the different data, and even terminology at times, between the tutorial and within my own map, I found it rather difficult to put together particular methods for solving certain problems. By taking a closer look at the methods within the tutorial, steps with little explanation in the tutorial began to reveal their true intentions. Also, hazard maps are just one small portion of the potential that raster data manipulation can offer. For this reason I am very excited to work more with raster data in order to better understand these valuable skills.

Lab #5: Spatial Analysis I - Suitability Analysis

Suitability Analysis with Raster Data-Part 1



Suitability Analysis with Raster Data-Part 2



Controversies surrounding the Landfill project based around the Kettleman City area can be clarified through research and GIS techniques. Various topics ranging from safe work practices, polluting materials, proximity of the site to the city and origins of the birth defects within town, illustrate how complicated an issue like this can become. The facility is currently located there but is looking to make a major expansion and local citizens are not comfortable with this prospect without the proper research and testing being completed to ensure the safety of their towns. GIS is a valuable tool in deciphering what are safe and fair decisions for the questions surrounding topics such as these.

One of the foundational complaints about the expansion is the lack of investigation that has taken place. Kettleman City residents have been demanding a proper investigation into the diseases and birth defects surrounding the community. Some believe that the disease and birth defects around the city could be considered no higher than average. Other citizens believe this is ludicrous. Additional research and support from the State of California would help greatly in informing the public nearby the facility.

Unfortunately, this has not been the case. The research that has been conducted by the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program has not been fully accepted by the citizens of the towns nearby. People do not trust the foundations of the research and, in turn, do not trust the decisions of the legislators. This breakdown in trust comes from a lack of transparency within the scientific and political process. With clearer data indicating the potential causes of the health problems, contributing health problems to the landfill or otherwise, the more the public would be willing to accept the decisions of the political shot callers. This is when we see the true value of GIS.

GIS, with the assistance of quality data, can help to inform the public or legislators about what is happening within a given area based on many factors. In conjunction with quality research from other organizations, such as the EPA or the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program, GIS can tie together correlations between different phenomena allowing for greater understanding. Also, the techniques in our tutorial can help to present clear and concise findings to the public to help to earn the trust of the families suffering within the community.

The traditional methods of collecting, processing, and presenting data should be reconsidered in situations dealing with the public. Newer methods used within a GIS can help greatly in bridging the gap of trust and understanding in the process of governing. NIMBY is often a term used to derogatorily refer to people who, often selfishly, over critique the decisions made by community planners in order to sustain the status quo. Yet, in this circumstance, the community has good reason to be alarmed based on changes taking place in their community and has every right to demand answers from our community leaders. Hopefully, researchers are utilizing GIS to better inform these individuals on up-to-date and accurate research on the status of all scientific findings around their area.

Exam: Mapping Marijuana Dispensaries

The issues surrounding marijuana dispensaries and their impact on the neighborhoods in which they reside is longstanding. This debate often comes on the back of claims that marijuana dispensaries lead to increased crime near their proximity. Though there could be some legitimacy to this argument, statistics to back up the claim are never at the forefront of the debate. Regardless of these clashing views, an ordinance has been passed requiring dispensaries to reside at least 1,000 feet away from all LA school, libraries, and public parks.

The ordinance requiring a 1000ft buffer seems excessive. As shown on my map above, it is difficult to find a marijuana dispensary that won't have to relocate due to this new ordinance. The heavy limitations of this buffer discourages economic activity that the city of Los Angeles greatly needs today. With the news that the City of Los Angeles having huge problems paying its bills, it is surprising that the city does not choose to better incorporate these businesses that could be taxed for social benefit. Unfortunately this ordinance displays the City of Los Angeles' approach to the purported increase of crime and tasteless activities that take place around these businesses. In addition to the loss of revenue is the loss to medical patients that need the plant for pain and treatment. These patients are going to have a harder time locating a dispensary and potentially addition regulations in the future.

These limited options offered to marijuana dispensaries for locations could also effect rental and land costs. Since there will be such a limited set of locations for the dispensaries to exist, potentially this land could greatly rise in cost to these businesses. This rise in cost could potentially be passed down to the patients who budget medical expenses closely.

I believe the City of Los Angeles needs to re-think their strategy when approaching this problem and consider other options rather than forcing out a potential friend to the community.

Lab #4: Digitizing in ArcGIS