Site Suitability Analysis GIS

    Site Suitability Analysis is the process of determining the best or most appropriate area for particular use. GIS programs can examine and combine data from many sources to determine the area most suited by narrowing down locations to specific criteria. This process is useful in determining building sites such as schools, shopping centers, and  any building project. Site Suitability Analysis can be used for much more than determining the appropriate site for a building. In marketing it could be used to narrow demographics for certain products and services. Another use would be to provide information for social programs or health agencies. Below I have included two links to show Site Suitability Analysis in action. The first link is to Flo Analytics a company that uses GIS to provide solutions for companies, governments and social organizations. By examining some of their projects you will get a better idea of Site Suitability Analysis many real-world applications. https://www.flo-analytics.com/services/
The next link shows how Site Suitability Analysis was used in planing urban services in India. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2226585617301231

Map Design Principles with Map Critique

 https://airqualitynews.com/2014/04/04/government-needs-to-realise-uk-has-poor-air-quality/

    Map design Principles are a set of general guidelines to help the cartographer to make maps that are easily able to be understood. The chief map design Principles are

Visual Hierarch

Overall balance

Contrast

Clarity

Focus of attention

Unity and Harmony                                            As we learn more about map making we need to keep these basics in mind. Recently, I came across this map on a site dedicated to matters of air quality in the UK.  The first thing I noticed was that that the map lacked a title or any kind of scale or key to let the viewers understand the what are focus of attention should be. There isn't a clear idea of what this map is trying to explain other than a brightly colored UK. The overall balance of the map is acceptable. The images is centered just above the page center. The colors are pleasing and the contrast of colors would be helpful to the viewer to understand the data represented if we had any idea of what that data was. By reading the article, I was able to understand that the map was supposed to document the upcoming weeks level of air pollution. The map does little to show the amount of air pollution. I am assuming that the areas in red are the areas of high pollution. I would have like to see some sort of text telling me the name of towns or landmarks to better understand the areas of high air pollution. The above map is a perfect example of why we need to take into account map design Principles. It is a poor representation. 

Blog 4 My Experience Creating a Thematic Map

My Map

    I have experience using this program. Last year, I took Geog 276. I was sick most of the year with  Ophthalmic shingles. I didn't do very well. I decided it would be a good idea to take this class before attempting Geog 276 again. Anyhow, I find that the hardest part of working with Arcgis is controlling the edit tools. It may be hard because I am using a touch screen laptop. I think for my next map,I will try to use a mouse. I also had a little bit of of trouble joining data. The other problem I have is that it is very hard for my eyes to focus in light. I found a few ways to help this like turning off the lights and turning down my computers brightness. As class goes on, I hope to become more proficient in this program.