Considerable interest remains in capturing once geographical information at the fine scale, and from this, automatically deriving information at various levels of detail and scale via the process of map generalisation. This research aims to develop a methodology for transformation of geographic phenomena at a high level of detail directly into geographic phenomena at higher levels of abstraction. Intuitive and meaningful interpretation of geographical phenomena requires their representation at multiple levels of detail. This is due to the scale dependent nature of their properties. Prior to the cartographic portrayal of that information, model generalisation is required in order to derive higher order phenomena typically associated with the smaller scales. This research presents a model generalisation approach able to support the derivation of phenomena typically present at 1:250,000 scale mapping, directly from a large scale topographic database (1:1250/1:2500/1:10,000). Such a transformation involves creation of higher order or composite objects, such as settlement, forest, hills and ranges, from lower order or component objects, such as buildings, trees, streets, and vegetation, in the source database. In order to perform this transformation it is important to model the meaning and relationships among source database objects rather than to consider the object in terms of their geometric primitives (points, lines and polygons). This research focuses on two types of relationships: taxonomic and partonomic. These relationships provide different but complimentary strategies for transformation of source database objects into required target database objects. The proposed methodology highlights the importance of partonomic relations for transformation of spatial databases over large changes in levels of detail. The proposed approach involves identification of these relationships and then utilising these relationships to create higher order objects. The utility of the results obtained, via the implementation of the proposed methodology, is demonstrated using spatial analysis techniques and the creation of ‘links’ between objects at different representations needed for multiple representation databases. The output database can then act as input to cartographic generalisation in order to create maps (digital or paper). The results are evaluated using manually generalised datasets.

Traditional evaluations of habitat quality fail in their spatial incompleteness, their lack of contextual information and their poor consideration of urban environments. These issues are addressed here through the derivation and application of an urban-specific multi-criteria Habitat Value Index (HVI), providing relevant data in a straightforward, rapid and replicable manner. Both the current distribution and projected changes in landscape HVI are shown using the IDRISI Geographical Information System, providing quantitative information to land-management decision-makers. Using an urban-specific habitat classification in combination with aerial photographic interpretation habitat patches were identified in study areas in the West and South of Wolverhampton. The classification and location of the habitat patches were fieldchecked then each patch was evaluated using four criteria: structural elements, indicator species, general habitat structure and aesthetics. Using a tick-list approach the total number of structural elements and indicator species from pre-determined lists was noted in the field. General habitat structure and aesthetics were also evaluated in the field with each patch assigned to a single category for each. The criteria details for each patch were then transferred onto a GIS and for each criterion a map was generated showing its spatial distribution over the study area. The structural elements and indicator species totals were converted to scores based on scoreclasses, while the categories for general structure, aesthetics and the specific habitat type classification were used as weights by determining each to be either quality (weight = 2) or non-quality (weight = 1). For each habitat patch the structural elements and indicator species scores were then combined with the total weights to produce an HVI. All the habitat patch values for the study area were displayed in map form to give a contextual view of the distribution of ecological 'value' within the area. An additional, simple measure was also devised for measuring the status and quality of connectivity and contiguity within the study area. Sample criteria totals were then used predictively to quantitatively demonstrate the effects of landscape alteration on both the spatial distribution of the HVI and the connectivity and contiguity measures.

This thesis investigates the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping in UN Peace Operations. On the one hand, GIS use has been assumed to increase the efficiency and coordination of multi-dimensional peace missions. On the other, the Western universalist epistemology underlying GIS is thought to render its application, particularly in non-Western contexts neo-colonialist. These two framings of GIS as either inherently scientifically progressive or politically oppressive are over-deterministic. I argue that the politics of GIS use is contingent upon the ways in which understandings of the map are negotiated in practice. As an ethnographic study of three UN GIS mapping sites (a field mission in Timor-Leste, the Cartographic Section at the UN headquarters, and the GIS Center at the UN Logistics Base), drawing on interviews with practitioners, the thesis gives an account of a) the role of GIS in the field mission, b) GIS practitioners’ management of the technology and their everyday interaction with their clients, and c) its organization within the United Nations. In the thesis I conceptualize an epistemological fault between the professional communities of mappers and their clients which organizes GIS use. This fault separates those who understand the map as political abstract model from those who see it as a mere image of the world. As a consequence, it also separates those who understand mapping as a political practice from those who see it as mere matter of logistics. The meaning and organization of GIS use is thus contingent upon how these different understandings are contested or affirmed in the interaction between mappers and clients. Overall, this thesis emphasizes the role of understanding technology, space and logistics in the context of the politics of Peace Operations.

<p>In this thesis work, we compare the results obtained from two kinds of teams forming a hierarchical organization participating in a fire fighting simulation environment called as C3Fire. First kind of teams used paper-based maps for spatial reasoning of the command tool while the other kind of teams has GIS based maps with full access to positioning data of the fire fighting units as well as sensor information about fire break.</p><p>The collected data was from 11 teams of each kind having 6 members in each team making a total of 132 participants belonging to different parts of the world.</p><p>We made a statistical analysis on the data with help of T-Test statistical medhod and a tool is designed by using Java as programming language and PostgreSQL database for importing data from log files and then applying statistical T-Test method on the fetching data from log files.The results are stored in database as well as excel files. Then a comparison is done to analyze the unit performance, communication and efficiency of both kinds of teams.</p>

In this thesis work, we compare the results obtained from two kinds of teams forming a hierarchical organization participating in a fire fighting simulation environment called as C3Fire. First kind of teams used paper-based maps for spatial reasoning of the command tool while the other kind of teams has GIS based maps with full access to positioning data of the fire fighting units as well as sensor information about fire break. The collected data was from 11 teams of each kind having 6 members in each team making a total of 132 participants belonging to different parts of the world. We made a statistical analysis on the data with help of T-Test statistical medhod and a tool is designed by using Java as programming language and PostgreSQL database for importing data from log files and then applying statistical T-Test method on the fetching data from log files.The results are stored in database as well as excel files. Then a comparison is done to analyze the unit performance, communication and efficiency of both kinds of teams.

<p>The population of Sweden is ageing as in almost every European country. Improved medical progresses and treatment options lead to a decreasing mortality at older ages, increasing life expectance and an advanced health of the elderly. Due to these improvements and the so called ‘baby- boomers’, a great number of persons born in the 1940s that will reach retirement age the coming years, their total number will increase strongly in the near future all over Sweden. To enable these elderly to live a normal, active and independent life as long as possible activities, services and special housing with improved accessibility and meeting places for elderly has to be provided. Thus, for local authorities it is essential to know the actual and favoured living conditions as well as environments of elderly. This study aims therefore to investigate the characteristic of preferred residential neighbourhoods of the elderly in the city of Norrköping. The demographic, social and crime situation was examined for the districts of the city using several methods from both Statistics and GIS. Statistical methods included classifications, indexes or indicators and bivariate correlations. A model was developed to combine demographic and social data to characterise districts. GIS was to a major extent used as a visualisation tool. Choropleth mapping and Kernel density estimations were used to illustrate distribution of elderly and crime. Preliminary global statistical tests were used to verify clustering in the crime data set. An accessibility analysis was conducted with the help of the network analyst tool. Results indicate that districts experiencing the highest total numbers and proportion of elderly are very distributed throughout the city of Norrköping. They are, with some exceptions, characterised by lower social status. Four districts of the city show considerable evidences of demographic ageing, experiencing a population pyramid formed like an urn. Beside districts where elderly constitute a bigger proportion of the population, they tend to live in districts characterised by a relatively high proportion of young adults aged between 20 and 29. Crime analyses have shown crime clusters in different parts of the city. A high proportion of elderly faces a high crime level in the districts Gamla staden, Nordantill and Hageby. However, it has been proved that only some hot spots of crime within these areas contribute to the high crime level. Districts such as Skarphagen, Såpkullen, Smedby and Linö, all (except Såpkullen) situated on the outskirts of the city, hold high or middle elderly and a low crime level. Accessibility analyses have shown that elderly aged over 80 do not live significant closer to health centres and the public transport stops compared to the age groups 20 – 65 and inhabitants aged between 65 and 79.</p>

The population of Sweden is ageing as in almost every European country. Improved medical progresses and treatment options lead to a decreasing mortality at older ages, increasing life expectance and an advanced health of the elderly. Due to these improvements and the so called ‘baby- boomers’, a great number of persons born in the 1940s that will reach retirement age the coming years, their total number will increase strongly in the near future all over Sweden. To enable these elderly to live a normal, active and independent life as long as possible activities, services and special housing with improved accessibility and meeting places for elderly has to be provided. Thus, for local authorities it is essential to know the actual and favoured living conditions as well as environments of elderly. This study aims therefore to investigate the characteristic of preferred residential neighbourhoods of the elderly in the city of Norrköping. The demographic, social and crime situation was examined for the districts of the city using several methods from both Statistics and GIS. Statistical methods included classifications, indexes or indicators and bivariate correlations. A model was developed to combine demographic and social data to characterise districts. GIS was to a major extent used as a visualisation tool. Choropleth mapping and Kernel density estimations were used to illustrate distribution of elderly and crime. Preliminary global statistical tests were used to verify clustering in the crime data set. An accessibility analysis was conducted with the help of the network analyst tool. Results indicate that districts experiencing the highest total numbers and proportion of elderly are very distributed throughout the city of Norrköping. They are, with some exceptions, characterised by lower social status. Four districts of the city show considerable evidences of demographic ageing, experiencing a population pyramid formed like an urn. Beside districts where elderly constitute a bigger proportion of the population, they tend to live in districts characterised by a relatively high proportion of young adults aged between 20 and 29. Crime analyses have shown crime clusters in different parts of the city. A high proportion of elderly faces a high crime level in the districts Gamla staden, Nordantill and Hageby. However, it has been proved that only some hot spots of crime within these areas contribute to the high crime level. Districts such as Skarphagen, Såpkullen, Smedby and Linö, all (except Såpkullen) situated on the outskirts of the city, hold high or middle elderly and a low crime level. Accessibility analyses have shown that elderly aged over 80 do not live significant closer to health centres and the public transport stops compared to the age groups 20 – 65 and inhabitants aged between 65 and 79.