1. Introduction to "Spatial Explorer of Religion” Shuming Bao China Data Center The University of Michigan

2. Background: “Spatial Study of Religion and Society” Supported by the Henry Luce Foundation
The project aims: promoting research, teaching, learning, and training on the spatial studies of religions and society in China.
Plans:
Research References Collection
Research System Development
Research Training
Features:
Accessibility
Usability
Expandability
Free for academic users 2

3. Participants: Purdue University The University of Michigan
Purdue University Calumet
Renmin University
East China Normal University
Wuhan University
Central University of Finance and Economics
Xiamen University
Fudan University
Shanghai University
Henan University
Nanjing University of Forestry
Lanzhou University
Pioneer High School 3

4. Spatial Explorer of Religion Spatial Intelligence for Space-Time Data Integration and Analysis
Statistics
Charts
Tables
Reports
Census
Modeling
Maps
GIS
PySAL
StatGeo

5. Data Sources: Authoritative, Unique, Comprehensive
Government Statistics
Provincial Statistics ( )
City Statistics ( )
County Statistics ( )
Population Census
Census 1953 (GRID)
Census 1964 (GRID)
Census 1982 (GRID)
Census 1990 (GRID)
Census 2000 (province, city, county, township, GRID)
Economic Census
Industrial Census 1995 (province, city, county, ZIP)
Basic Unit Census 2001 (province, city, county, ZIP)
Economic Census 2004 (province, city, county, ZIP)
Establishments (individual companies and organizations)
Industrial Census(1995)
Basic Unit Census (2001)
Economic Census (2004)
Geography and Environment
Land Use data (GRID)
Night-Time data (GRID)
Transportation (railway, highway, roads)
Rivers and Lakes
More layers to be added …
Province
Prefecture
County
Township
ZIP
Sq Km Grid 5

6. Featured Functions Data Selection
By administrative units (province, city, county, township)
By groups
By location (X&Y) and spatial range (km or miles)
By time-series statistics (province, city and county)
By establishments (province, city, county and ZIP)
Reporting
Summary report
Comparison report
Original data report
Spatial Analysis
Graphic analysis
ESDA spatial statistics
OLS regression
Spatial Regression
Export 输出
Data tables (Excel)
Reports (Excel, Word, PDF)
GIS files (Shape)
Maps (PDF)

7. Exploratory – Modeling - Simulation
What We Can Do with RGE?
Exploratory – Modeling - Simulation
Identify the spatial patterns of religious distribution
Identify the spatial trends of religious development over the time
Identify the spatial interactions between different religions
Identify the spatial interactions between religions and other aspects of the society over the time and space (such as demographic and socioeconomic development)
Evaluate possible policy impacts on local religious development
Look forward to the future: scenario analysis

8. Building A Global Network for Spatial Study of Religion and Society
Involvement – interaction - international