Map of Devastating 2003 Heat Wave in the Netherlands Observed from MODIS Satellite. Mehdi Aminipouri (PhD Candidate in Geography at SFU)

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About the day: GIS Day is an annual worldwide celebration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and community. This year's theme is Mapping Minds, Shaping the World. 

Join us in person: Wednesday, November 20, 2024 

Organized by SFU Library and the SFU Department of Geography, GIS Day 2024 will be held in person in the W.A.C. Bennett Library and will feature guest presenters from SFU, lightning talks, and workshops that will appeal to those new to GIS and those who are interested in seeing how GIS is used in research across disciplines. It is also a great opportunity for SFU faculty and student researchers interested in GIS to connect with each other and learn! 

Did you know? The application of GIS is far more wide-ranging than you might have thought! The topics covered in the presentations by SFU researchers and students range from natural sciences, such as studying hydrological ecosystems and landslides, to archaeological uses of petroglyphs, transportation emissions, community-engaged research, participatory mapping, and mapping experiences of colonialism. You will also hear about a timely topic from an instructor's perspective: using machine learning for feedback and ensuring academic integrity in online GIS courses.

Note: 

  • Registration is NOT limited to SFU. Community members are welcome to register. 

Morning sessions: Presentations & lightning talks

Register for the presentations/lightning talks (morning) 

Schedule

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Time Presentation titlePresenter(s) Slide / Recording
9:15am- 9:30am Welcome
9:30am- 9:50am
The Impact of Land Use Change on Hydrological Ecosystem Services in the the Tano River Basin, Ghana
Abstract: The exploitation of natural resources such as forests, land, water, and animal diversity in the world has led to significant changes in the environment and the degradation of resources with serious consequences within the ecosystem. As the global human population expands, so does the demand for these resources, leading to a major transformation on the earth's surface and causing a change in land use. The human dimension of natural resource extraction through various land use activities has significantly affected the ecosystem's services, particularly those provided by river systems. This study focuses on the impact of land use change on hydrological ecosystem services using the example of the Tano River Basin, Ghana. The study used satellite images from 1986 to 2022 and generated land use and land cover (LULC) maps and then simulated for potential LULC in 2032 and 2052. The results revealed that the first interval between (1988–2003) showed a faster change intensity when compared to the second and third intervals. Across all the intervals (1986–2022), dense forests experienced a major decline of (-12.68%), followed by open forests with (-2.17%). Agriculture experienced a gain of (+12.72%), followed by built-up areas of (+2.09%). Simulation in the basin shows that open forests could witness the highest loss of 4.99% and 9.44%, while dense forests could also witness a loss of 0.07% and 0.25% in 2032 and 2052, respectively. Agriculture and built-up areas could also increase by 4.99% and 0.02% in 2032, and 9.61% and 0.03% in 2052, respectively.  To assess the hydrological impact of land use changes, water yield was estimated using the InVEST software model. The study found that land use changes, particularly the conversion of forests to agricultural land, increase quick flow, which poses a greater flood risk and reduces groundwater recharge.
 
 
Emmanuel Kumi, PhD student, Geography

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9:50am-   
10:10am
Modelling dynamic geospatial systems with the Geographic Automata Add-In for ArcGIS Pro

Abstract: Geographic automata comprise a longstanding modelling paradigm used to represent dynamic geospatial systems. By encoding local interactions, complex behaviours can be simulated over space and time. However, the current GIS software ecosystem supporting geographic automata model implementation is fragmented, often equipped with inflexible black-box subroutines, or demands some level of programming expertise. Therefore, the Geographic Automata add-in was developed for ArcGIS Pro to address the lack of general-purpose, explainable, and integrated geographic automata modelling tools available in modern GIS software environments. In combination with ArcGIS Pro tools, the new add-in functionality aims to support beginners and advanced users in creating simple to complex models of various dynamic geospatial systems in research and education settings. This presentation will highlight the key features of the add-in and demonstrate its use for modelling various dynamic geospatial systems. Future directions for add-in development seek to encourage transparent geographic modelling tools to support research, education, and real-world decision-making applications.

 

Alysha van Duynhoven (presenting author, PhD student, Geography), Suzana Dragićević

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10:10am- 10:30amBreak (refreshments provided)
10:30am- 10:50am
Using participatory mapping to design socially connected cities for young people: The Youth.hood study 
Abstract:
Background:
Social isolation and loneliness are a growing health concern. Inadequacies in neighbourhood social infrastructure can undermine social connectedness, particularly for youth, who are dependent on their local environments yet often marginalized from public spaces and city planning. Integrating methods from participatory mapping and participatory action research, Youth.hood set out to explore how neighbourhood built environments help or hinder social connectedness from the understudied perspective of youth in under-resourced and racialized communities.
Methods:
Youth (n=42) from three under-resourced neighbourhoods in Vancouver were recruited to: (1) Map environmental assets and barriers to connectedness in their neighbourhoods using a smartphone app; (2) Analyze their collective data into themes; and (3) Design and advocate for environmental improvements through a workshop and forum with residents, city planners, and elected officials.
Results:
Youth mapped 227 features impacting their connectedness. The most frequently reported assets were parks and nature (n=39, 17%) and food outlets (n=25, 11%). Top barriers included poor neighbourhood aesthetics (n=14, 6%) and inadequate streets and sidewalks (n=14, 6%). Thematic analysis with youth underscored four themes: (1) Connecting through mobility: The fun and functionality of getting around without a car; (2) The power of aesthetics: Mediating connections to people and place; (3) Retreating to connect: Seeking out social and restorative spaces for all; and (4) Under-resourced, not under-valued: Uncovering assets for sociocultural connection.
Conclusion:
Our findings extend evidence on key environmental determinants of social connectedness for youth. Locally, our research offers city planners rich locational data on social connectedness assets, barriers, and solutions through the eyes of youth. This unique integration of micro-scale spatial data with experiential knowledge is valuable for guiding place-based improvements in under-served communities. We are currently developing a mapping tool with Youth.hood’s data to guide ongoing advocacy and neighbourhood improvements in South Vancouver.
 
Meridith Sones (presenting author, PhD student, Health Sciences), Meg Holden, Meghan Winters

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10:50am- 11:10am
Semiocide in Cascadia: Multimodal Field Artefacts Using ESRI Field Maps

Abstract: All creatures (microbes, plants, animals) use and interpret signs to communicate, learn and adapt to the environments they inhabit. In this talk, we explore Estonian scholar Ivar Puura’s concept of semiocide: “a situation in which signs and stories that are significant for someone are destroyed because of someone else’s malevolence or carelessness”. In Cascadia, this has manifested itself in various ways: the potlatch ban, the logging of old-growth forests, ulcerative pathogens impacting farmed salmon, and the extinction of Coast Salish dialects, among others. In collaboration with Dr Cary Campbell in the Faculty of Education, I invited groups of undergraduate students to explore this concept, and to then add evidence of semiocide through ESRI Field Maps. This collective approach to both ethnography and spatial analysis aims to facilitate a new lens on environmental destruction and degradation. As Puura writes, “at the hands of humans, millions of stories with billions of relations and variations perish. The rich signscape of nature is replaced by something much poorer”. Field Maps enable us to embrace the multimodal possibilities of fieldwork and reflective practice: the app allows us to upload pictures, sound bytes and text notes, opening up dialogue through the map interface. Our project aimed to explore and analyse the patterns of semiocide as they manifest within our shared home, the Cascadian bioregion. Ultimately, we developed a new approach to self-reflection, a different way of understanding the research relationship: as settler-scholars in Canada with differing experiences of colonialism, this approach positions us as researcher-observers within our more-than-human entanglements.

Marion Benkaiouche, Master student, Urban Studies

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or 

watch the recording

11:10am- 11:30amBreak (refreshments provided)
11:30am- 11:50am
Petroglyphs of Vancouver Island

Abstract: The purpose of my talk is to provide a basic example of GIS application in archaeology. My initial interest while I was creating the map of Vancouver Island petroglyphs was to understand the distribution pattern behind the petroglyphs’ placing, and if there was one at all. GIS provides an opportunity of spatial analysis that can help us understand if there is a pattern or not, and gives us a clue to the possible future discoveries.

 

Kira Sokolovskaia, Undergraduate student, Archeology 

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11:50am- 12:10pm
Leveraging Machine Learning Techniques to Support Student Feedback and Academic Integrity in Large-Enrollment Online GIScience Courses

Abstract:The demand for well-designed introductory GIScience courses in higher education is on the increase. In response, instructors have tried and tested various modes of delivery with the most promising being fully online delivery. GIScience courses in fully online delivery mode offer flexibility of place and time and can result in cost efficiencies due to the large enrollment capacity. However, under these circumstances unique challenges will emerge such as providing timely feedback to students and maintaining academic integrity at scale. Using actual data examples and experiences from a real course, this presentation will explore selected machine learning (ML) techniques that can support the feedback process by summarizing large volumes of text data from assignments and discussions. Frequency, clustering and classification algorithms will be utilized. Further, flagging suspicious academic integrity activities will be explored through ML-driven techniques that combine behavioural analysis and anomaly detection. The ethical implications of data-driven approaches will be raised, particularly the importance of transparency, fairness and trust in digital learning environments. The end goal is to support learners by offering targeted interventions and guidance in their learning journey. 

Shiv Balram, University Lecturer, Geography 
12:10pm- 12:30pm

Lightning talks

GIS Programs at SFU 

Abstract: A talk about all GIS Programs at SFU, including the revamped GIS Major coming in Spring 2025.

Watch recording

Abolishing Big North Arrow
Abstract: The GIS Industry and the Geography Department at SFU, in particular, tout the benefits of adding North Arrows to our maps as a necessity. In most maps that we produce, however, they can be misleading or clutter (particularly when the map projection does not preserve direction), or it's obvious which way is north (on the country or regional view view).
This talk will breakdown examples of when we should and shouldn't add north arrows to our maps as a matter of improving map design, in the face of established convention at our institutions.
 
 
Field Maps from the Sky: Surveying Landslides on Vancouver Island

Abstract: As a PhD student, I became interested in using Field Maps, a powerful tool that allows loading various layers, shapefiles, and information to be used in remote areas. In October 2023, I uploaded all the information regarding the landslides triggered by a seismic event on Vancouver Island to my iPad. With this, I was able to verify the mapping from the helicopter, take notes, and add other points of interest to later sync with the computer. The use of these tools is incredibly powerful, allowing for the collection of a lot of real-time information that can be easily synchronized afterwards.

Tessa Haywood, Undergraduate Student Advisors, Geography   
Jeffrey Collinson, Undergraduate Student, Geography   
Catalina Pino- Rivas,  PhD student, Earth Sciences

Tessa Haywood: Download slides  

You can watch the recording (when available)

Jeffrey Collinson:

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You can watch the recording (when available)

12:30pm- 12:40pmBreak  (refreshments provided)
12:40pm- 1:00pm
Mapping On-road Transportation Emissions in Surrey, BC Communities

Abstract: This study aims to map on-road transportation emissions in various communities within the City of Surrey, British Columbia, using GIS and geospatial analysis techniques. Transportation is a significant contributor to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, making it crucial to analyze its spatial distribution to inform sustainable urban planning. The methodology employs the Python-based library GeoPandas to process and visualize emission data from multiple sources, including vehicle types, fuel usage, and road network characteristics. By integrating geospatial datasets, we associate transportation emissions with specific community boundaries, providing a detailed spatial representation of pollutant emissions and identify emission hotspots. Results highlight spatial disparities in emissions, with high-density traffic areas showing elevated levels of pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). These findings offer insights into community exposure to transportation-related air pollution, which is crucial for targeted mitigation strategies and mobilizing equity.

Maha Shehadeh, Sustainable Energy Engineering 

 


Afternoon sessions 

Workshop 1 (1:30pm to 4pm): 3D Printing Spatial Data Workshop 

Photo: Jay Matsushiba  
Note: This picture is for reference only and is not meant to represent the output of this workshop. 

Join us for an in-person workshop to learn how to transform your spatial data into physical maps using the wonders of 3D printing! 

In this workshop, we will convert LiDAR-derived data layers, such as Digital Elevation Models, from files on your computer into tangible objects that you can touch and explore! In collaboration with the SFU Library Media and Maker Commons, you will create and take home your own 3D-printed maps while also learning how to make more in the future!    

Instructor: Jay Matsushiba 

Jay is a GIS Peer at the Research Commons, SFU Library, and a Master's student in Geography. Jay is studying the use of LiDAR in generating 3D digital twins of wilderness environments and exploring them with emerging interfaces. He also works as a Spatial Data Research Assistant, creating publication-ready graphics and conducting spatial data analysis for marine conservation of sharks and rays. His specialty is combining tech with the field of environmental science, and is always looking for new challenges! 
 

 
 

 

Workshop 2 (2pm to 4pm): Mapping Environmental Exposures: Spatial Analysis of Environmental Data in R

Join us for an in-person workshop to learn how to wrangle and plot spatial environmental data and conduct basic exposure assessments using both vector and raster data!

The environmental conditions that people are exposed to, such as levels of air pollution or greenspace, are largely dependent on where they live. As such, the analysis of spatial environmental data is a critical tool for understanding how environmental conditions vary across space and time and identifying who is exposed to what. This workshop will provide an introduction on how to conduct analysis of spatial environmental data using R packages and RStudio and publicly available datasets. 

Instructor: Stephanie Cleland, Assistant Professor, Legacy for Airway Health Chair in Promotion of Lung Health, Health Sciences

Dr. Stephanie Cleland is an Assistant Professor at Faculty of Health Sciences. She holds a PhD and MSPH in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a BS in Computer Science and Community Health from Tufts University. Dr. Cleland’s research investigates how climate change-related environmental exposures, such as wildfire smoke and extreme heat, adversely impact human health. Her work leverages novel statistical approaches and innovative datasets to understand what levels, durations, and types of exposure are most harmful to the health and well-being of communities and identify the most at-risk and impacted populations. In her research, she utilizes spatiotemporal exposure assessments to estimate population-level exposure and runs complex epidemiological analyses and health impact assessments to link these exposure estimates with large health outcome datasets. 

Register for the Spatial Analysis of Environmental Data in R workshop (afternoon) 

 

Post-GIS Day Workshop (2pm to 3:30pm, November 21): Calculating a Heat Risk Index in ArcGIS Pro

Join us for an in-person workshop to learn how to create a basic heat risk index to map and identify high risk areas in ArcGIS Pro. 

One of the many negative effects of climate change has been the increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events. By quantifying and combining multiple factors or variables that contribute to heat risk into a single index value, cities can evaluate the varying level of risk within an urban area and determine where to prioritize adaptation and mitigation efforts. Using tools in ArcGIS Pro, you will learn how to derive variable measurements from open data and satellite imagery and combine them to create a basic heat risk index for a Canadian city to map and identify high risk areas.

Instructor: Kendra Munn, Esri Canada 

Kendra Munn is a 3D Urban Specialist in the Education and Research group at Esri Canada. She contributes to academic research projects in collaboration with universities and partners by providing guidance and assistance with spatial analysis workflows. She also spends time working on internal R&D projects, creating educational resources and tutorials on ArcGIS software, and delivering guest lectures and workshops to local universities on software and GIS concepts. Kendra holds a MSc in geography, geographic information systems and a BSc in environmental science, applied biology from Simon Fraser University.

 Register for the Calculating a Heat Risk Index in ArcGIS Pro workshop (Nov 21)

Date(s)
November 20
Location
Room 7200, W.A.C. Bennett Library, SFU Burnaby