Learning outcomes

• Understand the transition of GIS from desktop applications to internet-based platforms and its implications for sharing and collaboration.
• Recognize the growing need for collaborative GIS in various professional fields and how it enhances data integration and decision-making.
• Analyze the role of modern mapping tools in urban planning through a case study, understanding their application in real-world scenarios.
• Explore the features of Felt in the modern GIS landscape, including its accessible and collaborative mapping tools.
• Apply Felt’s tools in a practical exercise, demonstrating the ability to create, share, and collaborate on comprehensive maps effectively.

Resources

<aside> ℹ️ Here you can access all educational resources including slides, map, exercise files, etc., for teaching purposes.

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• Slides:

  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ujaYGcQdkP8v8wVBjqafnSO5f3Ytwur6/view?usp=sharing&utm_source=notion&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=edu_6

• Exercise

GIS transition: From desktop to the internet

The transition of GIS from desktop applications to the internet has revolutionized the field, making it more accessible and user-friendly. While traditional GIS was limited to experts using complex software on specific machines, the internet has democratized access to geographic data. Now, users can benefit from real-time data updates and access GIS tools from any location with an internet connection. This shift has also enabled more dynamic and interactive mapping experiences, enhancing decision-making and analysis across various sectors. Tools like Felt allow users to leverage these capabilities, empowering them to create engaging maps with annotations, images, and other visual cues that facilitate clearer communication and more informed decision-making.

Illustration of the transition from desktop GIS to online platforms. Examples include QGIS for traditional desktop GIS and Felt for web-based GIS solutions.

A growing need for sharing and collaboration

As geographic data grows in complexity and volume, the need for efficient sharing and collaboration becomes more critical. Industries across the board rely on collaborative GIS to integrate diverse datasets, resulting in improved analysis and outcomes. By enabling multiple stakeholders to work together on a single platform, collaborative GIS ensures that insights are more accurate, comprehensive, and timely, ultimately driving better decisions and strategies.

Collaborative GIS in action: A map displaying multiple GIS layers on a Felt map, with comments and contextual images. People are working together, sharing insights and information to better understand the study area.

Case study: Exploring the role of modern mapping in urban planning

Illustration depicting the typical stages of an urban planning consulting project, from initial concept to final report.

Consider an urban planning consultancy collaborating on a new urban development project for a city department. Typically, urban planning proposals follow a series of clear steps, such as an inception phase, site analysis or baseline analysis, drafting of documents, and preparation of a final report. However, in reality, this process is often iterative and non-linear, involving back-and-forth adjustments as new information and feedback are incorporated.