Journal Article•
NeoGeography and the nature of geographicexpertise
TL;DR: NeoGeography as mentioned in this paper is defined as a blurring of the distinctions between producer, communicator and consumer of geographic information, and it can be seen as a way of "deletion".
Abstract: NeoGeography has been defined as a blurring of the distinctions between producer, communicator and consumer of geographic information. The relationship between professional and amateur varies across disciplines. The subject matter of geography is familiar to everyone, and the acquisition and compilation of geographic data have become vastly easier as technology has advanced. The authority of traditional mapping agencies can be attributed to their specifications, production mechanisms and programs for quality control. Very different mechanisms work to ensure the quality of data volunteered by amateurs. Academic geographers are concerned with the extraction of knowledge from geographic data using a combination of analytic tools and accumulated theory. The definition of NeoGeography implies a misunderstanding of this role of the professional, but English lacks a basis for a better term.
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TL;DR: Geographic information created by amateur citizens, often known as volunteered geographic information, has recently provided an interesting alternative to traditional authoritative information from mapping agencies and corporations, and several recent papers have provided the beginnings of a literature on the more fundamental issues raised by this new source.
Abstract: Geographic data and tools are essential in all aspects of emergency management: preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Geographic information created by amateur citizens, often known as volunteered geographic information, has recently provided an interesting alternative to traditional authoritative information from mapping agencies and corporations, and several recent papers have provided the beginnings of a literature on the more fundamental issues raised by this new source. Data quality is a major concern, since volunteered information is asserted and carries none of the assurances that lead to trust in officially created data. During emergencies time is the essence, and the risks associated with volunteered information are often outweighed by the benefits of its use. An example is discussed using the four wildfires that impacted the Santa Barbara area in 2007–2009, and lessons are drawn.
824 citations
TL;DR: A recent survey of volunteer geographic information (VGI) for geography and geographers can be found in this article with an eye toward identifying its potential in our field, as well as the most pressing research needed to realize this potential.
Abstract: The convergence of newly interactive Web-based technologies with growing practices of user-generated content disseminated on the Internet is generating a remarkable new form of geographic information. Citizens are using handheld devices to collect geographic information and contribute it to crowd-sourced data sets, using Web-based mapping interfaces to mark and annotate geographic features, or adding geographic location to photographs, text, and other media shared online. These phenomena, which generate what we refer to collectively as volunteered geographic information (VGI), represent a paradigmatic shift in how geographic information is created and shared and by whom, as well as its content and characteristics. This article, which draws on our recently completed inventory of VGI initiatives, is intended to frame the crucial dimensions of VGI for geography and geographers, with an eye toward identifying its potential in our field, as well as the most pressing research needed to realize this potential. D...
719 citations
17 Apr 2009
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe and classify both the types of people who volunteer geospatial information and the nature of their contributions, and offer different taxonomies that can help researchers clarify what is at stake with respect to the contributors.
Abstract: Advances in positioning, Web mapping, cellular communications and wiki technologies have surpassed the original visions of GSDI programs around the world. By tapping the distributed knowledge, personal time and energy of volunteer contributors, GI voluntarism is beginning to relocate and redistribute selected GI productive activities from mapping agencies to networks of non-state volunteer actors. Participants in the production process are both users and producers, or ‘produsers’ to use a recent neologism. Indeed, GI voluntarism ultimately has the potential to redistribute the rights to define and judge the value of the produced geographic information and of the new production system in general. The concept and its implementation present a rich collection of both opportunities and risks now being considered by leaders of public and private mapping organizations world-wide. In this paper, the authors describe and classify both the types of people who volunteer geospatial information and the nature of their contributions. Combining empirical research dealing with the Open Source software and Wikipedia communities with input from selected national mapping agencies and private companies, the authors offer different taxonomies that can help researchers clarify what is at stake with respect to geospatial information contributors. They identify early lessons which may be drawn from this research, and suggest questions which may be posed by large mapping organizations when considering the potential opportunities and risks associated with encouraging and employing Volunteered Geographic Information in their programs.
445 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that the difference between the OSM street network for car navigation in Germany and a comparable proprietary dataset was only 9% in June 2011, and that OSM even exceeds the information provided by the proprietary dataset by 27%.
Abstract: The OpenStreetMap (OSM) project is a prime example in the field of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI). Worldwide, several hundred thousand people are currently contributing information to the ―free‖ geodatabase. However, the data contributions show a geographically heterogeneous pattern around the globe. Germany counts as one of the most active countries in OSM; thus, the German street network has undergone an extensive development in recent years. The question that remains is this: How does the street network perform in a relative comparison with a commercial dataset? By means of a variety of studies, we show that the difference between the OSM street network for car navigation in Germany and a comparable proprietary dataset was only 9% in June 2011. The results of our analysis regarding the entire street network showed that OSM even exceeds the information provided by the proprietary dataset by 27%. Further analyses show on what scale errors can be reckoned with in the topology of the street network, and the completeness of turn restrictions and street name information. In addition to the analyses conducted over the past few years, projections have additionally been made about the point in time by which the OSM dataset for Germany can be considered ―complete‖ in relative comparison to a commercial dataset.
373 citations
TL;DR: Applying a 1-kilometer buffer to all roads is presented and a global map of roadless areas and an assessment of their status, quality, and extent of coverage by protected areas are presented to halt their continued loss.
Abstract: Roads fragment landscapes and trigger human colonization and degradation of ecosystems, to the detriment of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The planet’s remaining large and ecologically important tracts of roadless areas sustain key refugia for biodiversity and provide globally relevant ecosystem services. Applying a 1-kilometer buffer to all roads, we present a global map of roadless areas and an assessment of their status, quality, and extent of coverage by protected areas. About 80% of Earth’s terrestrial surface remains roadless, but this area is fragmented into ~600,000 patches, more than half of which are
369 citations
References
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TL;DR: A Computer Movie Simulating Urban Growth in the Detroit Region as discussed by the authors was made to simulate urban growth in the city of Detroit, Michigan, United States of America, 1970, 1970.
Abstract: (1970). A Computer Movie Simulating Urban Growth in the Detroit Region. Economic Geography: Vol. 46, PROCEEDINGS International Geographical Union Commission on Quantitative Methods, pp. 234-240.
7,533 citations
TL;DR: In recent months, there has been an explosion of interest in using the Web to create, assemble, and disseminate geographic information provided voluntarily by individuals as mentioned in this paper, and the role of the amateur in geographic observation has been discussed.
Abstract: In recent months there has been an explosion of interest in using the Web to create, assemble, and disseminate geographic information provided voluntarily by individuals. Sites such as Wikimapia and OpenStreetMap are empowering citizens to create a global patchwork of geographic information, while Google Earth and other virtual globes are encouraging volunteers to develop inter- esting applications using their own data. I review this phenomenon, and examine associated issues: what drives people to do this, how accurate are the results, will they threaten individual privacy, and how can they augment more conventional sources? I compare this new phenomenon to more traditional citizen science and the role of the amateur in geographic observation.
3,633 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: The Third Edition of this bestselling textbook has been fully revised and updated to include the latest developments in the field and still retains its accessible format to appeal to a broad range of students.
Abstract: The Third Edition of this bestselling textbook has been fully revised and updated to include the latest developments in the field and still retains its accessible format to appeal to a broad range of students.Now divided into five clear sections the book investigates the unique, complex and difficult problems that are posed by geographic information and together they build into a holistic understanding of the key principles of GIS.This is the most current, authoritative and comprehensive treatment of the field, that goes from fundamental principles to the big picture of:GIS and the New World Ordersecurity, health and well-beingdigital differentiation in GIS consumptionthe core organizing role of GIS in Geographythe greening of GISgrand challenges of GISciencescience and explanationKey features:Four-colour throughoutAssociated website with free online resourcesTeachers manual available for lecturersA complete learning resource, with accompanying instructor links, free online lab resources and personal syllabiIncludes learning objectives and review boxes throughout each chapterNew in this edition:Completely revised with a new five part structure: Foundations; Principles; Techniques; Analysis; Management and PolicyAll new personality boxes of current GIS practitionersNew chapters on Distributed GIS, Map Production, Geovisualization, Modeling, and Managing GIS
2,246 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2000
TL;DR: In this article, the central places in Southern Germany were studied and the authors presented a map of the central regions of Germany with respect to the Central Places of Central Places in South Germany.
Abstract: (1967). Central Places in Southern Germany. Economic Geography: Vol. 43, No. 3, pp. 275-276.
1,915 citations
TL;DR: Geographic information created by amateur citizens, often known as volunteered geographic information, has recently provided an interesting alternative to traditional authoritative information from mapping agencies and corporations, and several recent papers have provided the beginnings of a literature on the more fundamental issues raised by this new source.
Abstract: Geographic data and tools are essential in all aspects of emergency management: preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Geographic information created by amateur citizens, often known as volunteered geographic information, has recently provided an interesting alternative to traditional authoritative information from mapping agencies and corporations, and several recent papers have provided the beginnings of a literature on the more fundamental issues raised by this new source. Data quality is a major concern, since volunteered information is asserted and carries none of the assurances that lead to trust in officially created data. During emergencies time is the essence, and the risks associated with volunteered information are often outweighed by the benefits of its use. An example is discussed using the four wildfires that impacted the Santa Barbara area in 2007–2009, and lessons are drawn.
824 citations