The last module, Module 4 (M4), is titled:
Open Sourced: From Analysis to Communication in the Age of Web Mapping
In this last module, we think about the distance it takes to travel from a residency (Point A) to the nearest grocery store (Point B). Spatially imagine an area that encapsulates the distance from Point-A to Point-B. When in an urban setting, if this distance is greater than 1-mile, then we define an area known as a "Food Desert". And for a rural setting, if this distance is over 10 miles, then we also defined this area as a "Food Desert". If the distance is less than 1-mile (for urban setting) and less than 10-miles (for rural setting), then we have described an area known as a "Food Oasis". These two terms (Food Desert and Food Oasis) describe terms related to a Food Access problem in America. Food Access is one of the main topics of Module 4 (M4). Exploring open-source software (OSS) is the other main topic of M4.
The problem of food access is related to the limited access to supermarkets, supercenters, grocery stores, or other sources of healthy and affordable food may make it harder for some Americans to eat a healthy diet. How we chose to measure food access in this project was to measure the distance between two points: local grocery stores and the center of US Census Tracts within a study area. Census Tracts take into account the concept of residential neighborhoods where a population of people resides. When this distance between the food source and center of residence (population) is greater than 1-mile, this area is known as a "Food Desert". Visa-Versa, if the distance is less than 1-mile, then the area is known as a "Food Oasis". Regardless of the distance problem, other associated issues to Food Access are transportation to poor food, few planned parcels to grow food options, more fast-food stores, a higher percentage of processed food availability compared to fresh fruits and vegetables that result in a poor lifestyle due to complications such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and overweight issues. And as a whole, all these issues make for an expensive obstacle.
Spatially, this distance of Food Access can be visualized via a map with the help of a geographic information system (GIS). Instead of using a commercial software solution such as ESRI, this module will utilize open-source software (OSS) as the technology. OSS is a type of computer software in which the source code is released under a license in which the copyright holder grants users the rights to study, change, and distribute the software to anyone and for any purpose. During the first week of this project, we prepared data using an OSS called QGIS (previously known as Quantum Geographical Information Systems). QGIS is a popular open-source GIS with advanced capabilities. Here is a series of tutorials and tips that shows how to use it to tackle common GIS problems. I also used this link --> QGIS Learning Resources for other materials to help me learn QGIS this week.
This week I started off performing some basic navigation and progressed to using some geoprocessing tools. Then I created a new Print Layout to experience how to make standalone physical maps. The obvious benefit of using Open Source software like QGIS over a commercial solution (ArcDesktop) is the cost of ownership. Cost of software training is also an expense to consider. Based on my experience (greater than 5 years) with using QGIS this week to perform basic GIS tasks, I found the learning curve to be short and easy to learn. So considering the training cost to using QGIS, a strong background in ArcMap should make for an easy transition to using this software.
In Summary,
These last few weeks of the semester, the Special Topics in GIS course will focus on the issues of Food Access and the exploration of GIS open-source software (OSS).The Goals for this week are: Learn about Food Deserts and Explore Open Source Software, QGIS
Some Objectives explored this week are as follow:
- Read about Food Access
- Create a Discussion blog about Food Desert
- Explore the use of QGIS to create a basic map and more involved Food Access map for the Pensacola study area.
- Practice preparing data for further analysis
- Use data from PartA to create a modified version of UWF's "Own Your Map" lab using QGIS to explore the basics of using the OSS.
- Use data from PartB to explore some advanced analytic functions within QGIS to a create the map shown below
- Create a PowerPoint document in preparation for a presentation.
- Create an internal discussion post to help create a better learning environment.
Below is a deliverable map I created using the instructions from this weeks prepare Lab guide. The lab was pretty easy to follow and QGIS was a breeze to use to create the map below that depicts an analysis of Food Access in Pensacola, FL. Looks like Pensacola could benefit from some strategically placed grocery stores, provided the Sales Projections, Zoning, Planning, and Regulatory factors are in-favor.
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