Learning about GIS

On March 23, the Structure Team met with Dr. Matt Sisk, Assistant Librarian of the Center of Digital Scholarship. He gave us a thorough introduction to the Geographic Information System, also known as GIS. Using the GIS system, our team will take into account different factors that will allow us to determine the best possible locations in South Bend to install future connectivity pavilions. GIS gives us a way to graphically display and analyze these optimal locations. As shown in the picture below, the GIS program includes layers, each of which contains specific information, which can be combined to produce a full data map. Over the map of South Bend, we are planning to layer various data such as population density, average income, age distribution, and nearness to parks, schools, and libraries.  

Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/geographic-information-system-gis/

We will continue collaborating with Dr. Sisk in order to layer the various factors that we are including in order to produce a full map of South Bend. Our data will be coming from Social Explorer (socialexplorer.net), a partner of the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Sisk will be guiding us to use ArcGIS in order to establish this visual tool.