GIS Overview

What is GIS? GIS (Geographic Information System): computer information system that can input, store, manipulate, analyze, and display geographically referenced (spatial) data to support decision making processes.

Tools for a GIS Hardware - Computer - Printer / Plotter - Digitizer - Scanner GIS Desktop Software (ESRI, Inc. – ArcView) CAD Software (AutoDesk - AutoCAD) Multimedia (Photos, Video, 3D Models) World Wide Web (ESRI, Inc. – ARCIMS) Personnel

GIS Data Sources Digitized and Scanned Maps purchased, donated, free (Internet) created by user Data Bases – Tables of data GPS – Global Positioning System accurate locations Field Sampling of Attributes Remote Sensing & Aerial Photography

Conventional Information Systems Answer the following questions: - Who ? - What ? - When ? - Why ? - How ?

GIS answers the following Location: What is at...? Condition: Where is it? Trends: What has changed since...? Patterns: What spatial patterns exist? Modeling: What if…? Exploring data using GIS turns data into information into knowledge

Data Data Data Location Data How Many? – What Kind? – Where? Scale of Data Global to Local Data Presentation Words, Charts, Graphs, Tables, Maps, Photos

Databases Not easy to interpret

Visualizing Data A picture is worth a thousand words

GIS Data Raster Images - grids “pixels” a location and value satellite images and aerial photos Vector - grids Features: points, lines & polygons Attributes: size, type, length, etc.

“Layers” of GIS Information Municipalities

“Layers” of GIS Information Census Tracts

“Layers” of GIS Information Lakes and Rivers

“Layers” of GIS Information Polluting Companies

“Layers” of GIS Information Schools

Maps and Databases are Interactive

GIS Connects Graphics to Data

Maps and Databases are Interactive

Queries and Restrictions

GIS Turns Data into Information A picture is worth a thousand words

GIS Analyzes Information

GIS Examples

World and Country Level

State Level

Township Level

State level analysis results indicated Transylvania County as the high risk area in terms of number of children per each HSDS, County level analysis results indicated Brevard Township as the high risk area in terms of combined effect of young population density and HSDS density, Township level analysis results indicated 4 different HSDS located at the southern region of Brevard Township as potential risk-producing areas, 2 public schools within 10 minute walking distance buffer of previously detected HSDS, 4 public water supply sources (PWSS) two of which may supply water to public schools and daycare centers, A total of 2,593 people living within 10 minute walking distance of specified HSDS, and total of 506 people (between the ages of 0 and 17) within the same distance. Conclusions

Obesity Research Objectives To evaluate if the degree of pediatric obesity, assessed by BMI Z scores, is related to proximity to fast food restaurants or distance from parks. To determine if the effectiveness of treatment of obesity is related to the following: age, gender, race/ethnicity, number of follow up visits, and proximity to the treatment center. Design/Methods Patient addresses (n=1,014) were mapped with GIS, and then overlaid with parks, fast food locations, and additional layers including socioeconomic, political, school, and neighborhood districts. Distance buffers from the WMWC were created and overlaid with patient addresses and BMI Z score changes following treatment.

Travel Distances : Z Score Change (-.5 to -2.16), Total 38 Travel Distances: Z Score Change (.5 to 2.81) Total 8 Results Proximity to the center was unrelated to success in BMI decreases

Results Of patients with moderate BMI decrease (Z score change > -0.5), 43.7% live within 600 feet of a park and 56.3% farther than 1200 feet. Mean distance to fast food is 1.1 miles. Of patients with moderate BMI increases (Z score change > 0.5), 16.7% live within 600 feet of a park and 83.3% farther than 1200 feet. Mean distance from fast food is.8 miles. Patient Locations Compared to Fast Food and Parks

Property Value and Street Trees An Analysis of the City of Pittsburgh Neighborhoods, 2009

City of Pittsburgh Neighborhoods Residential Sales, 2009 Note: white areas indicate no sales Source: Allegheny County Average Sale Price by Neighborhood

City of Pittsburgh Neighborhoods and Street Trees, 2009 Number of Trees per Neighborhood Source: Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest

Property Sales Compared to Number of Trees per Block

A “High Risk” Poverty Index Geospatial Analysis Methods for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Heinz College: School of Public Policy & Management Brandon C. Loughery, MAM Kristen Kurland, Faculty Advisor Larry Hokaj, Chief Technology Officer GPCFM Spring 2009

Introduction There are three project objectives: Provide background information to use additional geospatial information systems (GIS) technology for evaluation and predictive processes Gain a more thorough understanding of the communities GPCFB serves. Create and implement a delimited index to help identify populations that need the Food Bank’s services the most.

Poverty Variables Householders in renter-occupied housing with income below the poverty level who receive public assistance income Total number of the youth population 18 years and younger, by block group, who live at or below the poverty line Total number of elderly population 65 years and older, by block group, who live at or below the poverty line Total number of families, by block group, who have a female household head (no husband present) with related children under 18 years of age The number of elderly population 65 years and older with income below the poverty level and a disability Total number of families who have a female household head (no husband present) where the household head worked full-time, year round in 1999 and lived below the poverty level The total number of adults over the age of 18 with no high school diploma *The variables are taken directly from the Sample File 3 (SF 3) sample population data from the U.S. Census.

“High Risk” Poverty Areas Contour Line ≥ 9 Low Risk Medium Risk High Risk

GPCFB Program Locations and High Risk Poverty Areas Low Risk Medium Risk High Risk

FIGURE 3 Buffer Zone around “High Risk” Poverty Areas Low Risk Medium Risk High Risk 1,500’ Buffer Zone

TABLE 1: Total “High Risk” GPCFB Member Agencies (Raster Value of 12)

TABLE 2: Total “Low Risk” GPCFB Member Agency (Raster Value of 1)

TABLE 3: Variable Data Summary Risk FactorSumMean Standard Deviation Householders in renter-occupied housing with income below the poverty level who receive public assistance income4, Total number of the youth population 18 years and younger, by block group, who live at or below the poverty line81, Total number of elderly population 65 years and older, by block group, who live at or below the poverty line65, Total number of families, by block group, who have a female household head (no husband present) with related children under 18 years of age The number of elderly population 65 years and older with income below the poverty level and a disability4, Total number of families who have a female household head (no husband present) where the household head worked full- time, year round in 1999 and lived below the poverty level The total number of adults over the age of 18 with no high school diploma47,

High Risk Poverty Index Results by Neighborhood

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