The purpose of this study is to find potential areas suitable for energy production using renewable sources. For this aim, accurate assessments are necessary. The assessments include geographical suitability, closeness of infrastructure and observing local and regional framework concerning the use of renewable sources together with environmental protection. In addition, economical factor is considered in such an assessment. In this study, the Photovoltaic (PV) production potential for Germany is considered. An accurate and complete data set is necessary in order to achieve reliable results. In addition, a powerful database management and strong analysis tools are required. Geographical Information System (GIS) is a tool for finding suitable sites for the photovoltaic production.Using GIS, energy generation planners are able to visualize solar densities throughout the considered area. In addition, they can find the optimal and most economical sites by the combination of solar potential with the information about land. In this study, data sources consist of meteorological and geographical conditions. Furthermore, all analyses have been performed using Arc GIS Desktop. This study demonstrates the possible places for photovoltaic plants and indicates suitable candidates according to weights and factors in multi criteria analysis. The solar radiation data is from year 1995 to 2005. Land cover data is according to Corine 2000 and the more detailed Raumordnungskataster (Rok) for Weser-Ems. Numerical results are reliable from a comparison point of view. This study demonstrates the sensitivity of the defined criteria with respect to electricity production. In particular, this study is useful to see the capabilities of GIS for site selection regarding photovoltaic plants.The purpose of this study is to find potential areas suitable for energy production using renewable sources. For this aim, accurate assessments are necessary. The assessments include geographical suitability, closeness of infrastructure and observing local and regional framework concerning the use of renewable sources together with environmental protection. In addition, economical factor is considered in such an assessment. In this study, the Photovoltaic (PV) production potential for Germany is considered. An accurate and complete data set is necessary in order to achieve reliable results. In addition, a powerful database management and strong analysis tools are required. Geographical Information System (GIS) is a tool for finding suitable sites for the photovoltaic production.Using GIS, energy generation planners are able to visualize solar densities throughout the considered area. In addition, they can find the optimal and most economical sites by the combination of solar potential with the information about land. In this study, data sources consist of meteorological and geographical conditions. Furthermore, all analyses have been performed using Arc GIS Desktop. This study demonstrates the possible places for photovoltaic plants and indicates suitable candidates according to weights and factors in multi criteria analysis. The solar radiation data is from year 1995 to 2005. Land cover data is according to Corine 2000 and the more detailed Raumordnungskataster (Rok) for Weser-Ems. Numerical results are reliable from a comparison point of view. This study demonstrates the sensitivity of the defined criteria with respect to electricity production. In particular, this study is useful to see the capabilities of GIS for site selection regarding photovoltaic plants.

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The decision-making model was developed that allows solving multi-attribute problems of derelict buildings management from the perspective of sustainable development and under uncertainty. The model deals with the problem of developing the derelict buildings’ redevelopment variants and choosing the most rational one. Planning and technical components of an effective model in conformity with the main principles of sustainable development were proposed. The model of the sustainability indicator system for management of derelict buildings was designed. The developed system was applied to multi-attribute decision-making. A comparative analysis of the results was developed. The model was adjusted for modelling and evaluating the rational management of derelict rural buildings in Lithuania. The facilities of GIS for a spatial decision-making were adjusted to the analyzed problem of sustainable revitalization of derelict buildings.

Surface elevation is likely the most fundamental property of our planet. In contrast to land topography, bathymetry, its underwater equivalent, remains uncertain in many parts of the World ocean. Bathymetry is relevant for a wide range of research topics and for a variety of societal needs. Examples, where knowing the exact water depth or the morphology of the seafloor is vital include marine geology, physical oceanography, the propagation of tsunamis and documenting marine habitats. Decisions made at administrative level based on bathymetric data include safety of maritime navigation, spatial planning along the coast, environmental protection and the exploration of the marine resources. This thesis covers different aspects of ocean mapping from the collection of echo sounding data to the application of Digital Bathymetric Models (DBMs) in Quaternary marine geology and physical oceanography. Methods related to DBM compilation are developed, namely a flexible handling and storage solution for heterogeneous sounding data and a method for the interpolation of such data onto a regular lattice. The use of bathymetric data is analyzed in detail for the Baltic Sea. With the wide range of applications found, the needs of the users are varying. However, most applications would benefit from better depth data than what is presently available. Based on glaciogenic landforms found in the Arctic Ocean seafloor morphology, a possible scenario for Quaternary Arctic Ocean glaciation is developed. Our findings suggest large ice shelves around parts of the Arctic Ocean during Marine Isotope Stage 6, 130–200 ka. Steered by bathymetry, deep water from the Amerasian Basin of the Arctic Ocean flows over the central Lomonosov Ridge into the Eurasian Basin. This water mass is traced on its continuing way towards Greenland and the Fram Strait. At the Morris Jesup Rise, bathymetry plays an important role in the partial re-circulation of the water into the Amerasian Basin. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 3: Submitted.</p>

Sound management of information and data is an essential cornerstone for efficient and effective decision making. Structured, up to date and easily retrievable data from several heterogeneous sources is often required to effectively manage, monitor and predict resource quantities particularly for depleting resources such as fish. The documentation and management of fisheries data in most developing countries however poses great challenges. The main aim of this study therefore is to design an information system (IS) for Artisanal Fisheries management. The developed IS is supported by a database. Secondary data, from the provincial offices of Moma and Angoche in Mozambique, is used to test and populate the prototype database. The manner in which the database is developed demonstrates how in practice a database can be created as part of an information system. However, due to time restrictions, a complete database for the AF system could not be developed. To accomplish the objectives of the study, a model of the Artisanal Fisheries (AF) system was developed first. Based on standard system development approaches, the key components of the AF system that include; processes, data flows and data stores, were identified. The developed conceptual system was then used to identify critical data stores for the AF system and data models were subsequently developed. A prototype database to support the AF system was then implemented in MS Access. The motivation for this study is as a result of two observations made on information management which are a challenge in artisanal fisheries management in Moma-Angoche. These observations are; (i) the current information system lacks a structured approach and a database to document and archive data/information on the artisanal fisheries subsector; and, (ii) the high proportion of the data/information collected from different sources is not well processed, analyzed and is not user-friendly as yet. The Moma-Angoche Provincial Fisheries office was chosen because it is strategically suitable for research. This has been demonstrated by the amount of socio-economic artisanal fishing census data already collected and by the research on stock marine resources already carried out. As a result, the study area has become a pilot zone of integrated fisheries development projects. During the life cycle of the various projects, and even after their termination, the area remained an important zone where subsequent studies (for example baseline studies) were carried out. Furthermore, the existence of subsequent data available from those studies allows a good opportunity for data comparisons to be made. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

The decision-making model was developed that allows solving multi-attribute problems of derelict buildings management from the perspective of sustainable development and under uncertainty. The model deals with the problem of developing the derelict buildings’ redevelopment variants and choosing the most rational one. Planning and technical components of an effective model in conformity with the main principles of sustainable development were proposed. The model of the sustainability indicator system for management of derelict buildings was designed. The developed system was applied to multi-attribute decision-making. A comparative analysis of the results was developed. The model was adjusted for modelling and evaluating the rational management of derelict rural buildings in Lithuania. The facilities of GIS for a spatial decision-making were adjusted to the analyzed problem of sustainable revitalization of derelict buildings.

The aim of this study was to map and date glacial flutings with ice flows deviating from the predominating northwesterly ice flow direction in the southern part of Norrbotten County in northern Sweden, and also to investigate if parts of the glacial landscape are older than previously thought. The traditional view is that most landforms in the area were formed during the late Weichselian (W3). Analysis of the new high resolution elevation model (2 m grid) derived from laser scanning was performed after treating the data with a hillshade tool in ArcMap to reveal terrain features such as flutings. The analysis resulted in a map showing four main groups of deviating ice flows (N-S, NO-SV, SO-NV and S-N) and several westerly ice flows. The majority of flutings with deviating ice flows were found in low terrain. This, together with studies suggesting a cold based late Weichselian ice sheet in Norrbotten, implies an old age of the deviating ice flows. The deviating ice flows are interpreted to originate from the first early Weichselian (W1), or predate the onset of the Weichselian glaciation. Some NV-SO flutings were located in high terrain, which implies a younger age relative to the low terrain flutings. They represent the youngest ice flow found in the area, possibly from the second early Weichselian (W2). The new elevation model clearly offers new possibilities for studying small scale landforms and shows that the traditional view of the Weichselian glaciation in northern Swedish needs to be reconsidered.

Planning for transportation within northern Canadian communities presents unique challenges, but new research tools offer opportunities for testing potentially innovative solutions that might help improve mobility within these communities. In particular, problem solving has been enriched in recent years by using the spatial modeling methods offered by Geographical Information Systems (GIS). This thesis first reviews various GIS methods before applying one method – the ‘Route Utility Theory’ – to a newly-developed set of metrics for determining the cost of alternate modes of intracommunity transportation. This set of metrics is applied to a data set that represents the trips or journeys made by non-car users in Iqaluit, the capital city of Nunavut Territory. GIS data on roads, walking trails, land contours, and public and residential neighbourhoods are analyzed. The results facilitate comparisons between road options and trail options for improving the movement of people within Iqaluit. Five bus routes were then custom designed and compared using the study’s metrics. The study found that increasing bus and trail options within Iqaluit would provide more efficient options for non-car users. It is argued that the study’s metrics can be adapted for application in other northern communities, and possibly in other isolated and rural communities in different world situations. / Graduate

Spatial Decision Making as a branch of decision making science deals with geographically related data in order to achieve complex spatial decision problems. Fuzzy set theory is one of the methods that can be used to come up with these types of problems. On the other hand, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is one of the most powerful tools that we can use to accomplish spatial decision problems. Selection of the suitable site or land-use for the real estate is also a spatial decision making problem. When we consider the initial dynamics of the suitably located property from the point of view of value and potential we observe that the &ldquo / good location&rdquo / is the dominating factor. This study reports on the development of a kind of decision support system for locational suitability of settlements that integrates the fuzzy set (FZ) theory, a rule-based system (RBS) and GIS. This study is thought as the assistant for the property managers that are buyers and sellers. It can function as the property consultant for the buyers when they are looking for a property to buy and also it helps the real estate agencies to sell their properties. On the other hand, different scenarios of the potential areas according to the different user&rsquo / s preferences are depicted and they are joined and compared with the results of the vulnerability to earthquake hazards&rsquo / of the same area. Odunpazari - Eskisehir area is selected for implementation of the case study because of the data availability. As a result of this study, it can be said that most suitable property changes depending on the people&rsquo / s preferences. In addition, it is seen that most of the buildings that are locationally suitable are highly vulnerable to the earthquake hazards.

近年來由於銀行自動櫃員機(ATM: Automatic Teller Machine)的方便性導致ATM需求大幅增加，銀行因此必須投入可觀之設置與維護費用，然而卻缺乏有效的方式評估ATM設點位置與相關經濟效益。傳統的ATM設點多依據決策者之經驗與主觀需求，甚少考慮涉及複雜因素之空間選址問題，因此如何合理且有效地選取ATM設置據點以提高經濟效益，成為亟待解決之問題。 本研究目的在於提供高經濟效益之ATM設點建議，作為決策者參考。我們以地理資訊系統結合資料探勘技術，進行ATM設點分析。首先從ATM使用率，透過地理資訊系統技術結合空間與屬性資料。其次導入資料探勘技術分析影響ATM設點之因素，求取設置據點的綜合效益，取得影響因素與設置據點效益之關聯性並產生設點規則。最後將此規則應用於地理資訊系統圖層分析中，推論出設點建議。 我們以國內銀行實際ATM設點位置與其營業資料來展示我們的方法，實驗結果顯示我們可成功的分析影響ATM效益的主要因素，指出影響因素的明確距離及數量分佈，提供決策者分辨原始ATM是否該遷移或裁撤，同時亦能提供建議是否該於潛在客群分佈區域設立新據點。 / The convenience of the ATM banking facilities caused rapidly increasing in ATM demands during the past decades. The expenses for installation and maintenance of the ATMs are considerably high. However, there are no effective methods to evaluate the economic benefits on ATMs’ locations. Traditionally, the decision for ATM installation is based on policymaker’s experiences and subjective demands. The cost-effective issues and the spatial factors involved in location finding were seldom considered. Hence, develop a reasonable and effective mechanism to find the ATM locations that could improve economic efficiency become an important problem to be solved. The purpose of this thesis is to provide suggestion on the cost-effective ATM installation locations to help the policymaker in making decisions. We combine the techniques in geographical information system (GIS) as well as data mining for the cost-effective ATM installation location analysis. Using the ATM utilization factors for various ATMs, we can associate the attribute data with the spatial provided by GIS. Then, we use data mining techniques to analyze the factors that could influence the cost-effective installation location of ATMs. From this information, we can summarize the association rules that have the most impacts to localize the ATM installation locations. Finally, using these association rules, we can reach conclusion on ATMs’ installation locations. We use our local bank data to illustrate our idea. Experimental results show that we can successfully find the key factors that influence the cost-effective ATM installation locations. The range and the quantities of these events can be identified clearly, hence, making it possible to suggest whether an ATM should be removed or be relocated. Furthermore, we can suggest installing a new ATM at a particular location for potential customers or not.