GIS 1 Lab 2

Goals and Background: The purpose of this lab was to give me a background in obtaining GIS and other data from an outside source and format it into a way that I can map and analyze in ArcMap. The three main objectives of this lab were to transform a standalone table containing data into an attribute table that is functional to map, gain experience obtaining data from an outside source by navigating the US Census Bureau's website and downloading the data, and creating a map to compare two different variables in Wisconsin counties.


Methods: The first part of this lab involved downloading data and creating two  maps in ArcMap. First, I had to navigate through the US Census Bureau's website.   I first clicked "Topics", expanded "Dataset", and selected "2010 SF1 100% Data".  This gave me Census data from 2010. I wanted to narrow it down even more to give me data by county in Wisconsin so I clicked on "Geographies" and then "County".  I selected Wisconsin and then "All Counties Within Wisconsin" and clicked "Add to your selections".  This completed the search function, so now I could look for the specific data I wanted to find.  The first data set I downloaded was "P1 for Total Population".  I downloaded the data and extracted the files from the zipped folder. I opened the table "DEC_10_SF1_P1" in Excel and saved it as an Excel Workbook.  This put it into a format where I was able to actually use the table in ArcMap.  I then went back to the Census website to download the actual Wisconsin shapefile so I could actually map the data I had. Under the "Geographies" selection, I clicked the "Map" tab and then downloaded that map as a shapefile.  I unzipped that file as well so I could work with it in ArcMap.  All of this downloaded data was then put into my “lab_2” folder.


Then I started working in ArcMap.  I opened to set the default location for all new files. Then I added my Wisconsin shapefile, as well as the P1 table to the data frame. The tables then needed to be joined together, and the mutual field between them was GEO_ID so I right clicked on the shapefile and chose "Join" from my options.  I joined it to the standalone table and then exported the data to create a new shapefile containing the data I needed from the standalone table. I added the new shapefile to the map and then removed the join between the other tables. I ran into trouble trying to map the population data because the field type was a string, so I create a new long integer field in my attribute table and used the field calculator to populate it with the data I needed.  I then opened the symbology tab on that shapefile and under "Quantities" chose "Graduated Color" and mapped my population using a natural breaks (Jenks) method because it appeared to work best.  I then repeated the above workflow with another dataset from the Census, this time being median age by county in Wisconsin.  I followed the same procedures as above in a new map file until I had mapped data of both Population and median age.  I then changed the projections of both of these data frames to be the NAD83 Wisconsin Central State Plane because it seemed like the best way to display my created maps.

After going through all of this, I built a proper layout.  I added titles, scale bars, north arrows, source information, the date, my name, and legends.  I did my best to display all of this in a way that would make it legible and appealing to viewers.  I then exported my constructed maps as a PDF to add to this blogpost.

For the second part of this lab I turned the map with the housing data into a dynamic map online. To do this, I first had to create a feature service through ArcMap.  I signed into my enterprise account and then shared it as a published service to the "My Hosted Services" connection. I then unchecked "Tile Mapping" and checked "Feature Access" to ensure pop ups would be allowed on my web map.
I clicked the "Item Description" tab and entered a summary, description, and tags for my map.  I then clicked "Sharing" and chose to share it with "UW-Eau Claire- Geography and Anthropology".  I clicked the "Analyze" tool and then edited or deleted any of the features that gave errors since they weren't needed.  Then I was able to publish my service on ArcMap.

Then I signed into my ArcGis Online enterprise account through a web browser. I clicked on "My Content" and then saw the feature layer that I was just working with in ArcMap. I chose "Add layer to map". This opened it in an online geobrowser.  I opened the "Configure pop up" window and chose the features I wanted to be displayed in the pop-up windows on the map. I then saved it and shared it with "UW- Eau Claire- Geography and Anthropology".  Below is a screen shot of the final result of that process.
Results:

Sources: http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml

Lab 1 Report

Goal: To prepare base maps for the Confluence Project in a way that  integrates land management, land use, and general administration so the project is clear and manageable from start to finish.

The purpose of this lab was to analyze and map the different kinds of data that will affect the decisions made regarding the Confluence Project here in Eau Claire. Specifically, this lab was focused on the two lots of land that are being considered for the location of the new fine arts building and student housing. The overall goal in the lab was to explore and become familiar with different data sets that are involved in the project and created maps illustrating those data sets.

Methods:  I started out by exploring different types of data sets and answering questions about them. I explored the zoning feature, political features, transportation features, and many others that are related to the Confluence Project. Next, digitized the site for the Confluence Project. I started with a base map of Eau Claire and added the parcel feature class or the different chunks of land that Eau Claire is split into. I then activated the editing tool, used the snapping feature, and this allowed me to trace the two parcels (128 Graham Ave and Haymarket Landing), and then added a fill color to help distinguish them from other parcels in downtown Eau Claire.  Next, I learned about the Public Land Survey system. In other words, it is a way of categorizing each individual parcel of land into categories like township, county or city. Next, I made a legal description of the of the two parcels of land being considered for the project. This included information like the parcel number, street number, street name, owner's name and what the land is used for, industrial, commercial, residential, etc. All these steps were necessary to learn how to display the following 6 maps below.

 Map 1, or Civil Divisions is displaying the areas of cities, towns, and villages in Eau Claire County. I did this by adding the county boundary and then adding the civil divisions data. Then I changed the civil division properties so that cities, towns and villages would be different colors to help distinguish the divisions in this particular map.  Lastly, I added a callout label to label the proposed site in the confluence project area.

Map 2, Census Boundaries was simply showing the boundaries of census areas and I have changed the properties so that the boundaries are different shade of green based on the population density in them.  I left the projected site parcels red, and changed the transparency on the block groups so that the projected site could be easily seen. 

Map 3, or City of EC Parcel Data is displaying all the individual lad parcel contained in the city of Eau Claire. I did this by adding the parcel, centerline or street data, and water data. Then I highlighted just the outside of the parcels so the map is still visible under them. The centerline data highlights the roads in Eau Claire and the water data shows the river.

Map 4, or Zoning shows the different zones of Eau Claire and which zones are used for what, like commercial, industrial, residential, or transportation use. I changed the colors in the symbology tab for each zone to easily distinguish the differences,

Map 5, or Voting districts shows the different voting districts by their ward number. I added the voting districts data and went into the properties and edited the symbols using the halo tool, and made the actual district numbers bigger so they can be displayed accordingly.   

Map 6 or PLSS data just shows the quarters and sections that Eau Claire is split into from the survey service. I put in the Quarter data and I also included the proposed site so you can see what quarter it lies in. I also really enjoyed the lecture about quarters and land surveys given by Professor Strand’s colleague.  It helped me understand the purpose of this map more. 

For lab 1, this was a challenged assignment but very rewarding and I enjoyed piecing everything together. 

Sources: City of Eau Claire and Eau Claire County 2013

• http://www.eauclairewi.gov/departments/public-works/engineering/mapping-services