7.4 Conclusion
7.4 Conclusion
Mapping is an essential form of inquiry across a wide range of domains. Mapping also represents the interplay of society and technology, which has been going on for thousands of years. From the earliest forms of writing to modern satellite imaging and web-based social networks, mapping methods spring from, play out in, and shape our social context.
With the advent of GIS, people experience how spatial data, analysis, visualization, and thinking are transforming our society in myriad ways. Billions of people use technologies such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Google Maps, Yelp, and Uber. Governments use mapping to identify crime hot-spots, plan social interventions, and identify routes to evacuate vulnerable populations from harm. Companies use spatial analysis to site stores, evaluate supply chains, and determine how much to charge for goods and services. Researchers combine spatial data gleaned from maps, satellites, smart phones, sensor networks, and social media. They help commuters plan how to minimize travel time; farmers to best plant and protect crops; epidemiologists to identify emerging disease hot-spots; emergency planners to develop smarter evacuation routes; policy makers to visualize spatiotemporal climate-change scenarios; and first responders to use high-resolution imagery to map areas of need.
Resources
For more information about mapping and GISc:
