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Although the positional accuracy of spatial data has long been of fundamental importance in GIS, it is still largely unknown for linear features. This is compromising the ability of GIS practitioners to undertake accurate geographic analysis and hindering GIS in fulfilling its potential as a credible and reliable tool. As early as 1987 the US National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis identified accuracy as one of the key elements of successful GIS implementation. Yet two decades later, while there is a large body of geodetic literature addressing the positional accuracy of point features, there is little research addressing the positional accuracy of linear features, and still no accepted accuracy model for linear features. It has not helped that national map and data accuracy standards continue to define accuracy only in terms of “well-defined points”. This research aims to address these shortcomings by exploring the effect on linear feature positional accuracy of feature type, complexity, segment length, vertex proximity and e-scale, that is, the scale of the paper map from which the data were originally captured or to which they are customised for output. / The research begins with a review of the development of map and data accuracy standards, and a review of existing research into the positional accuracy of linear features. A geographically sensible error model for linear features using point matching is then developed and a case study undertaken. Features of five types, at five e-scales, are selected from commonly used, well-regarded Australian topographic datasets, and tailored for use in the case study. Wavelet techniques are used to classify the case study features into sections based on their complexity. Then, using the error model, half a million offsets and summary statistics are generated that shed light on the relationships between positional accuracy and e-scale, feature type, complexity, segment length, and vertex proximity. Finally, auto-regressive time series modelling and moving block bootstrap analysis are used to correct the summary statistics for correlation. / The main findings are as follows. First, metadata for the tested datasets significantly underestimates the positional accuracy of the data. Second, positional accuracy varies with e-scale but not, as might be expected, in a linear fashion. Third, positional accuracy varies with feature type, but not as the rules of generalisation suggest. Fourth, complex features lose accuracy faster than less complex features as e-scale is reduced. Fifth, the more complex a real-world feature, the worse its positional accuracy when mapped. Finally, accuracy mid-segment is greater than accuracy end-segment.

The scale of the affordable housing problem in Canada is enormous and the situation is worsening due to a number of recent social trends. Continued wealth inequality, an aging population, increased immigration, changing marriage and independence trends, and increased part-time employment, have all contributed to a growing affordable housing problem in Canada. Certain groups such as single parents, recent immigrants, seniors living alone and tourism/seasonal workers are particularly vulnerable. In Canada, cities and tourism-based communities have the most pronounced affordable housing shortages, and this is expected to continue in the future. New and innovative methods of public participation are needed in dealing with the challenges of affordable housing development. Spatial information technology such as Internet-based collaborative geospatial software aims to improve the public participation process. This technology is able to use the Internet, spatial data and carefully designed interfaces in order to engage citizens and increase community participation for difficult planning problems such as affordable housing development. This thesis focuses on three objectives. The first objective is to define a collaborative, spatially-aware approach to create and assess affordable housing options in Collingwood, Ontario. This approach will use existing spatial data, participants with a vested interest in affordable housing, and an open source geospatial software tool called MapChat. The second objective is to implement the defined approach in a real-world setting in order to generate participatory input. The third and final thesis objective is to examine the spatial patterns of existing affordable housing and the locations generated in the study to determine sites that are most suitable for future affordable housing development in Collingwood. The results of the thesis show that the approach used provides a proof of concept in the use of Internet-based collaborative geospatial software that can be applied to any town in Canada. Although the approach involved a modest study design, it was able to offer a number of potential advances in planning the locations of future affordable housing. The approach was successful in creating a set of potential affordable housing options, was effective in assessing those scenarios and was feasible to implement in a real-world setting. In addition, the approach had high potential in the generation and management of information and in supporting community participation and empowerment.

The scale of the affordable housing problem in Canada is enormous and the situation is worsening due to a number of recent social trends. Continued wealth inequality, an aging population, increased immigration, changing marriage and independence trends, and increased part-time employment, have all contributed to a growing affordable housing problem in Canada. Certain groups such as single parents, recent immigrants, seniors living alone and tourism/seasonal workers are particularly vulnerable. In Canada, cities and tourism-based communities have the most pronounced affordable housing shortages, and this is expected to continue in the future. New and innovative methods of public participation are needed in dealing with the challenges of affordable housing development. Spatial information technology such as Internet-based collaborative geospatial software aims to improve the public participation process. This technology is able to use the Internet, spatial data and carefully designed interfaces in order to engage citizens and increase community participation for difficult planning problems such as affordable housing development. This thesis focuses on three objectives. The first objective is to define a collaborative, spatially-aware approach to create and assess affordable housing options in Collingwood, Ontario. This approach will use existing spatial data, participants with a vested interest in affordable housing, and an open source geospatial software tool called MapChat. The second objective is to implement the defined approach in a real-world setting in order to generate participatory input. The third and final thesis objective is to examine the spatial patterns of existing affordable housing and the locations generated in the study to determine sites that are most suitable for future affordable housing development in Collingwood. The results of the thesis show that the approach used provides a proof of concept in the use of Internet-based collaborative geospatial software that can be applied to any town in Canada. Although the approach involved a modest study design, it was able to offer a number of potential advances in planning the locations of future affordable housing. The approach was successful in creating a set of potential affordable housing options, was effective in assessing those scenarios and was feasible to implement in a real-world setting. In addition, the approach had high potential in the generation and management of information and in supporting community participation and empowerment.

Cette thèse s'est intéressée à l'intégration des Systèmes d'Information Géographique, dans les domaines de la formation en géosciences appliquées et sciences de l'environnement. L'étude de cette intégration et des difficultés qui l'accompagnent, s'est articulée autour de trois dimensions : 1. une dimension cognitive, pour explorer les approches et les méthodes qui permettent d'étudier la façon de raisonner d'utilisateurs expérimentés ou novices, face à la résolution de problèmes spatiaux avec les SIG ; 2. une dimension didactique pour, à partir des différences entre les raisonnements des experts et des novices, identifier et intégrer les démarches expertes utilisables dans les stratégies de résolution des apprenants ; 3. une dimension pédagogique, pour concevoir, en s'appuyant sur les acquis cognitifs et didactiques, des dispositifs de formation innovateurs, en adéquation avec les demandes du monde professionnel. Afin de limiter notre champ d'étude, il a été nécessaire d'effectuer une analyse des pratiques de cartographie et SIG dans les domaines des Géosciences et de l'Ingénierie de l'Environnement et effecteur des choix pertinentes dans une perspective pédagogique, professionnelle et sociétale. Nous nous sommes intéressés à une activité de cartographie particulière : la cartographie d'aptitude réalisée avec des méthodes d'analyses spatiales multicritères pour la localisation de site(s) apte(s) à répondre à une problématique environnementale. En effet, cette méthode implique, d'un point de vue pédagogique, une approche progressive et complète à l'usage des SIG. Elle a un caractère professionnalisant, car elle est d'usage dans les projets environnementaux et, enfin, elle appuie le débat sur les choix territoriaux qui impliquent des prises de décisions. C'est lors de la réalisation de cette activité de cartographie d'aptitude que différents types d'utilisateurs ont été observés : des experts et des étudiants issus de notre entourage académique et professionnel. Nous avons élaboré un protocole expérimental exploratoire qui a permis de recueillir des données écrites et orales. Les analyses des données issues de la phase expérimentale ont été guidées par les cadres qui relèvent des sciences cognitives : sur le plan théorique, pour la définition des mécanismes visuo-cognitifs impliqués dans les raisonnements, et sur le plan méthodologique pour l'approche qualitative et quantitative d'analyse de données verbales. En termes de résultats, des composants des processus de raisonnement qui interviennent dans la réalisation et perception de la carte d'aptitude, ont été identifiés. De plus, les différences d'occurrences d'actions, d'opérations et de concepts mobilisés par les experts et les novices dans le même contexte, ont pu être mesurées. La comparaison des différentes stratégies adoptées par les expertes et par les étudiants a permis ensuite de ré-penser les dispositifs de formation, avec des aides didactiques qui ciblent les lacunes des étudiants. Le vrai défi de cette thèse a été l'apport pluridisciplinaire à la cartographie et aux SIG dans les Sciences de l'Information Géographique. En apportant des connaissances de la psychologie cognitive, de la didactique des sciences et des sciences de l'éducation, cette thèse a contribué à une meilleure compréhension de certains processus de représentations et d'appropriation des SIG, lors de la production cartographique et de son interprétation. Cette compréhension peut contribuer à améliorer les représentations ou à en proposer de nouvelles, favorisant ainsi la construction de la connaissance spatiale. / This thesis concerns the integration of GIS mapping tools and analysis in training curricula of applied geosciences and environmental sciences. This study focuses on three dimensions: 1. a cognitive dimension, in order to explore the way of thinking of experienced and novice users when solving spatial problems with GIS; 2. an instructional dimension, in order to identify and integrate the expert methods in the resolution strategies of learners; 3. an educational dimension in order to design, based on cognitive achievement, innovative training tools in line with the demands of the working world. To limit the scope of our study, it was necessary to perform an analysis of the practices of mapping and GIS in the areas of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering. It was also necessary to make relevant choices in a professional, educational and societal perspective. We were interested in a particular kind of mapping: GIS-bases land-use suitability mapping, with multi criteria spatial analysis methods. Indeed, this method involves, from a pedagogical point of view, a progressive and comprehensive approach to the use of GIS. It has a professionalizing nature, as it is common practice in environmental projects. Finally, it supports the debate on territorial choices that involve decision making. Different types of users have been observed: experts and students from our academic and professional environment. We performed an exploratory experimental protocol that allowed collecting written and verbal data. Data analyses were supported by theoretical frameworks that fall within the cognitive sciences, especially on visual-cognitive processes involved in reasoning. In terms of methodology, we used the quantitative-based qualitative approach for verbal data analysis. Regarding the results, some components of reasoning involved in the production and perception of the suitability map have been identified. Moreover, differences of instances of actions, operations and concepts used by experts and novices could be measured. Comparing the different strategies adopted by the expert and the students enabled us to re-think the training tools, with instructional aids that target gaps in students' abilities. The real challenge of this thesis was the multidisciplinary contribution to mapping and GIS in Geographic Information Science. Providing knowledge of cognitive psychology and science education, this thesis has contributed to a better understanding of some processes in GIS representation and appropriation. This understanding can improve performances on representations, or propose new ones, thus fostering spatial knowledge.