1. Thinking about Space

2. Fundamental Concepts of Spatial Analysis
Space
Location
Distance

3. Space can be measured in absolute, relative, and cognitive terms.

4. Absolute space Can be thought of as mathematical space
It involves the precise measurement of location (x,y,z)

5. Topological space Can be thought of as relative space
Such as the connectivity between locations

6. Reflects people’s beliefs
Cognitive space
Reflects people’s beliefs
experiences
perceptions
about places

7. Fundamental Concepts of Spatial Analysis
Space
Location
Distance

8. Location Absolute - Latitude/longitude Relative – Site and situation
Cognitive - Place name
Nominal - “Where were you when…?”

9. Absolute Location
Latitude/longitude

10. Location Absolute - Latitude/longitude Relative – Site and situation
Cognitive - Place name
Nominal - “Where were you when…?”

11. Relative location can be measured using site and situation.

12. Site and Situation Physical attributes of a place (location)
E.g., terrain, soil,
vegetation, water
sources, built environment, etc.
Location of a place
relative to other
places and
human activities
E.g., 80 miles from
Atlanta, near raw materials, far from job opportunities, etc.
Relative location can seem like a big can of worms – but to narrow it down to something manageable,
Remember that situation as relative location tends to refer to factors that affect the quality of life, opportunities, limitations, etc. at a given site

13. Location Absolute - Latitude/longitude
Relative – United States Public Land Survey Metes and Bounds
Cognitive - Place name
Nominal - “Where were you when…?”

14. Cognitive Location
Cognitive location refers to the personal cognitive images of places and regions compiled from personal knowledge, experiences, and impressions

15. Location Absolute - Latitude/longitude
Relative – United States Public Land Survey Metes and Bounds
Cognitive - Place name
Nominal - “Where were you when…?”

16. Systems of measuring and representing location (absolute, relative, nominal) are
CULTURAL SYSTEMS which are embedded in different cultures and worldviews and can become inscribed in landscapes

17. Fundamental Concepts of Spatial Analysis
Space
Location
Distance

18. Distance Absolute - physical units of measure
Relative - time, effort or cost
Cognitive - perceived

19. Waldo Tobler (Professor Emeritus, UCSB, Dept. of Geography)
“Everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related to each other”
Waldo Tobler (Professor Emeritus, UCSB, Dept. of Geography)