Week 4

29 September

Discussion: Your findings from OSM (known places and local knowledge)

Discussion: Abu Dhabi Cheap Eats data

Demo: Learning the Overpass API with overpass turbo ; Making some queries based on OSM map features / downloading queries.

Point-based queries: amenity = | building = church / mosque| historic=ruins | man_made=petroleum_well | natural=tree

node

[amenity=drinking_water]

({{bbox}});

out;

Additional Queries: cycleways | Map CSS | simple map call | where am I

Homework:

1 Read (before Quick Writing): Why would you use OSM is there is Google?

2 Quick Writing #4 What are your strongest takeaways from working with OpenStreetMaps and Overpass Turbo? What kinds of information are linked with location in open environments? due 0600, 1 October

3 Sign up: Choose a slot for small group discussions on Thursday here.

Assignment 1 (due 0600, 18 Oct)

In Assignment #1 (circa 1250 words + maps) you will be writing a critical map essay using data received through overpass turbo. You can do this assignment alone or in pairs.

There are four parts to this assignment :

(1) choosing a place that you know somewhat well and identifying OSM map features which are relevant for that place;

(2) downloading using the Overpass API (overpass turbo) and visualizing the data of those features using a mapping platform;

(3) critically assessing your digital map for how this data corresponds to the location you have chosen (as you know it);

(4) reflecting on other features you think a community of your choice might benefit from adding to the map.

You might think of this as an extension of Week 3's quick writing.

Instructions: Using OSM's feature list, explore some features that are present using overpass turbo and the simple queries we used in class. Choose 2 or 3 features that you believe are the most relevant for your essay for the chosen location. Download the data in geojson format and visualize it on UMap or ArcGIS online (or both).

Use your local knowledge to assess critically the features you chose. Are there some missing points? The maps that you create should be embedded into your essay. Choose center points that allow us to focus on the specific area of interest with ease.

Please address these questions in your critical map essay:

• how does OSM bundle information with location? how does this information compare with the local knowledge you have about the location? Google maps? Apple maps? where are the data gaps?

• what features are well represented in OSM? is it obvious that there was a particular effort to map certain features here (governmental, cultural, religious)? what did you think of the applicability of the OSM "feature ontology" for this location?

• what non-commercial map features are present in Google/Apple maps that you would like to see in OSM for this location?

• if you were to mobilize a community mapping effort to remediate some of these data gaps, who would these community members be (small businesses, social justice activists, cultural heritage sector, youth, sporting communities, environmentalists) and what would motivate them to contribute their work?

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO OVER YOUR WORK IN STAGES, DM THE INSTRUCTOR WITH QUESTIONS OR SUBMIT A PARTIAL DRAFT BY 10 OCTOBER FOR FEEDBACK.

1 October

On 1 October, we are going to have small group discussions (maximum 6 people per group) of the course material so far. You can sign up here.

Group 1 (0815-0845) | Group 2 (1315-1345) | Group 3 (1400-1430)

Homework:

1 Read: This tutorial for working with ArcGIS Online. Each of you will be assigned an ArcGIS online account to work with this semester. This will allow you to make maps in another environment, and also to build Story Maps. We will return to ArcGIS in class on 8 Oct.

2 Skim: Since we are transitioning to using ArcGIS as well, these articles might be of interest:

Open Standards | Commercial vs Open Source : A Comparison of GIS Software

2 Watch: In this pre-recorded video in which I interview Professor Nora Barakat (Department of History, Stanford U) about her collaborative work on digital mapping in Gulf history.

After listening to the interview, please submit two questions in the DHS experts chat Room that you would like to ask Professor Barakat, by 0600, 5 October. In the interests of time we may pool the questions together.

We will address those question in our synchronous chat in class on 6 October.

Blog 2 (due: 0600, 18 Oct)

In Blog 2, I will ask you to formulate an argument in +/- 750 words about how we should rework the Gazelle's Abu Dhabi cheap eats map. Here are some questions that I would like for you to consider in making your argument.

• Who is the audience for the map? What do you think of the map symbology as is?

• If you compare it to this "Abu Dhabi food cultures" map, what are the differences? You might also want to compare the Gazelle's map to the 2010 article at TimeOut Abu Dhabi. Can either one said to be have "data gaps"?

• Should we publish it in a free and open map service such as UMap or in a proprietary form such as ArcGIS online? or should we stick with Google MyMaps? Does either offer a more "sustainable" future for the data? Does either offer a better user experience? What about the updating of the map?

• What are the ethical considerations of the map making? What should be our criteria for making an equitable map? Are there conflicts of interests possible?

• Use Overpass Turbo to look for restaurants in an area of Abu Dhabi you know, what do you find (amenity = restaurant | amenity = fast_food)