Development of GIS Educational Tools for Urban Planning Using Free and Open Source Software

8 th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE ASIAN PLANNING SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION Development of GIS Educational Tools for Urban Planning Using Free and Open Source Software Kei SAITO*, Shinji CHIBA** and Michihiko SHINOZAKI*** * Faculty of Systems Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology kei@uds.se.shibaura-it.ac.jp ** Archi Pivot, Inc. sinzy@pivot.co.jp *** Faculty of Systems Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology sinozaki@se.shibaura-it.ac.jp Abstract The purpose of this paper is to develop the GIS educational environment in training program using open-source GIS software. First, we have verified the substitutability of laboratory exercise materials at our university from commercial GIS to open-source GIS software. Next, we grasp the improvement situation of the free spatial data that are opened to the public by the government and present the development of supportive tools for GIS training and the actual example using free spatial data. Moreover, we prepared the data format converter to import directly the several downloaded free spatial data into GRASS-GIS. By using converter, users are able to prepare the direct readable data into GIS software and to concentrate oneself to learning. Keyword Free / Open Source Software, GIS, Educational Tools 1

1 Introduction GIS (Geographic Information System) manages large quantities of urban spatial information efficiently, and is used not only in urban planning, but also in various other research fields as a tool for visualization and analysis. Moreover, mobile communication devices, such as a mobile phones and Personal Digital Assistants, have also spread widely in Japan, and GIS is used in geographic information services (ex. Search service of a restaurant or a nearest station, car navigation systems, and others.). On the other hand, there is a serious shortage of GIS specialists in our country. The shortage extends to software and technique developers, as well as to user-end specialists. In response to this shortage, the importance of GIS education is being discussed in various areas. In addition, the perceived high purchase and maintenance cost, and limited influence over enhancements, of proprietary GIS software are being questioned in some quarters. 2 Purpose of this study In this study, we challenge the development of GIS educational tools in the field of urban planning for undergraduate students in the university using the open-source software that can generally be used by anyone. This paper is regarded as the introductory part towards the purpose achievement. First, we compare the functions of open-source GIS software and commercial GIS software, and then verify the substitutability by using open-source GIS software. Moreover, we grasp the situation of the free spatial data that are opened to the public by the government. In addition, this paper presents the development of supportive tools for GIS training and the actual example using free spatial data. 3 Free / Open Source GIS Software 3.1 What is GRASS-GIS? GRASS-GIS 1 (Geographic Resources Analysis Support System) was originally developed by U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories (USA-CERL, 1982-1995) for land management in military facilities in the 1980s. GRASS can handle the raster and vector format map and widely applicable to analyze the geographical issue as statistics, environment, terrain analysis and assessment of natural disaster. The stable latest version is GRASS 6.0.x. This software is running under regardless of plat home as Linux, MS-Windows and MacOS (Figure 1). Figure 1. Screenshot of GRASS-GIS 3.2 Comparative study of Open-source GIS and Commercial GIS In this section, we consider the possibility of replacement of commercial GIS software by Open-source GIS software from functional standpoint especially treatment of several format data and spatial analysis. As a sample for comparison, we use the data that was treated in training program for undergraduate students. The Department of Architecture and Environmental Systems, Shibaura Institute of Technology is using ArcGIS 8.2 2 and MicroStation/Geographics 3. 2

3.2.1 Vector and Raster map data Overlay Fig.3 shows the screenshot of map overlay training using two different format data formats -Vector map (Black Line in the fig.2.1, 2.2) and Raster map- using MicroStation GeoGraphics. As shown in Fig. 4, it was demonstrated that it was possible to reproduce the same work satisfactorily under the GRASS environment. GRASS features include high compatibility between various formats and resolutions of data in the same database. Moreover, it has well developed import and export functions. Figure 2.1 Microstation Geographics Figure 2.2 GRASS-GIS We converted to the ASCII format the digital data in the proprietary software, such as a digital map and land use mesh map. We then developed approaches to facilitate the conversion of those ASCII data into GRASS binary formats with a customized import command macro. 3.2.2 Construction and Management of Attribute Data and Data Analysis Next, Figure Figure3.1 shows the screenshot of data search and classification training using attribute databases. Attribute data derived from an investigation of the 1995 Kobe earthquake in Japan were originally stored in DBMS (Microsoft Access2003 4 ). As shown in Figure 3.2, it checked that it was possible to reproduce the same work satisfactorily under the GRASS environment. Figure 3.1 Microstation + MS-Access Figure 3.2 GRASS-GIS + PostgreSQL GRASS managed various kinds of files by the tree structure called GRASS database''. In this management structure, figure data connect with attribute data by unique IDs. Herewith, it is possible to extract the data classified regardless of the map file format such as vector or raster. Moreover, it is also possible to stock attribute data in an external full-featured DBMS (PostgreSQL 7.3.4 5 ) and to perform powerful analyses therein. 3.2.3 Geo-Spatial Analysis Function (ex. Generating Buffer) 3

Next, Figure 4.1 shows a screenshot of data analysis training such as calculation of buffering centering on a station point data. Figure 4.2 confirms that it was possible to reproduce the same work satisfactorily under the GRASS environment. GRASS is equipped with substantial geographical analysis functionality. It is possible to easily execute buffering on the raster data treated here, and also of combination and display of multiple output layers of raster and vector data. Figure 4.1 ArcGIS Figure4.2 GRASS-GIS 3.3 Substitutability by GRASS As explained using the previous examples, we confirmed that GRASS is equipped with sufficient functionality to reproduce the processes and results of work in the training exercises noted here. The GRASS-GIS's functionality and operational characteristics are summarized in Table 1 through comparison with the general commercial GIS software's functionality and operational features. In comparing the functionality of the commercial GIS and GRASS-GIS, we can safely say that there is no effective difference with respect to the tested procedures. In the case of university GIS education/training, it is considered practical to replace all such materials with open-source GIS software. Table 1. Comparison of Functionality and Operability Function and Operate in Commercial GIS Software Replacement by GRASS-GIS Various Data Input / Output, Data Convert +++ Display of Legend Symbol, Create Histogram ++ Vector Map Data Handling +++ (V5.7 or later) Raster Map Data Handling and Calculation +++ Linkages between Figure and Attribute Data +++ Spatial Analysis Functions +++ User Interface, Operationality + Presentation use + +++ : Sufficient, ++ :Possible, + :Bit difficult As mentioned above, GRASS has the enough functions as GIS-Software favorably compare with the some major commercial GIS-Software. On the other hand, it has some technical issues. The GRASS and other necessary library installations are a little bit difficult task for a computer beginner. In addition, to treat languages other than English on GRASS is supported only display on the map. We look forward to improve these some inner technical problems by GRASS developers in the near future. 4 Spatial Data improvement in JAPAN Next, we describe the application of the GIS and the spatial data that anyone can generally use, especially in the field of urban planning in Japan. The governments embarked for active efforts 4

toward improve GIS-related in the wake of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Land, Infrastructure and Transportation Ministry have been engaged on the improvement and usage for digital national land information from 1974. These basic digital data were freely opened to the public through the Internet from 2001. 4.1 About the Source and Utilization of the Spatial Data In the land, Infrastructure and Transportation Ministry of our country, free service of browse of land information and GIS spatial data is offered through the Internet as part of the measure of spreading and promotion of GIS from April 2001. The service currently offered is listed to below. Download Service of Digital National Land Information. Download Service of Block Position Reference Information. Land Information Web Mapping System (Experimental Stage). The number of the data currently offered with Download Service of Digital National Information'' is 42 (as of December, 2003), and it is offered by vector, mesh, and the table data shown in Table 2. Table 2. Classification of the Digital National Information Format Classification Number Exmple Vector Data Point 11 Harbor, Land Price, Cultural Resource, Public Facilities, etc. Line 4 Coastal Area Line, Road, Railroad, etc. Polygon 11 Urban Planning Area, Natural Park, Coastline Mesh Data 2nd Mesh 1 Direction of Sea Wave, Sea Fog, Natural Fishing Ground 3rd Mesh 8 Commercial Statistics 3rd Mesh, Industrial Statistics Mesh 1/2size-Mesh 1 Commercial Statistics 4th Mesh 1/10size-Mesh 3 Land User Mesh, Lake Mesh Other 1 Natural Landscape Mesh Height Above sea Level Mesh Valley Density Mesh Table Data 2 Tidal Wave / Tsunami Table, River / Water System Table Download Service of Block Position Reference Information is the service that has the database for Geo-Coding and refers the latitude longitude information on a block level from the address. The conversion program and the maintenance tool are also usable with coordinate data. By using those data, the position information showed by latitude and longitude in a block level is added to the various statistics data containing address information. At the same time, it becomes possible to operate a display, analysis, and other functions on GIS. In addition, the aerial photograph browsing system and Digital map download service by the Geographical Survey Institute is maintained as a part of public information service. Especially, in Digital map download service two vector-map data of different scale (1/2,500 and 1/25,000) are offered through the Internet. These data can be used as a base-map at the time of using GIS. 5 Development of the GIS Educational Materials Using GRASS-GIS Next, we attempt the development the GIS training materials using combination of GRASS-GIS and free spatial data actually in the educational institution. Through these studies, we conclude the technically difficult points and other required points for actual utilize in the practical training. 5.1 About Available Spatial Data (Map and Statistics Data) Available spatial data as noted above are described the normal ASCII format as a way for users to deal with them using several GIS software. Moreover, these spatial data s format is not standardized according to the year of the prepared under the influence of change in the survey item 5

and switches the way of data acquisition. For all of these reasons, GIS user can t read the directly downloaded spatial data. It is necessary to convert from several format data to adequate format data to import into the GIS software. 5.2 About data read on GRASS- GIS It is easy to convert that a number of different format data using the toolkit converter and just easy-to-follow wizard supplied with the Commercial GIS software package. By using this high-functional toolkit, to convert the independent coordinate system of Japan is also supported. However, Open Source GIS software does not have toolkit to convert flexibly according to need such as country-specific data format. Therefore, users have to convert data into GIS software readable oneself. Specifically the available free data (Figure 5.1) must be converted to adequate format data for GRASS-GIS (Figure 5.2). The following data in figure is the ASCII format data of Land use mesh map in 1997. Figure 5.1 Source Data (Land Use mesh map in 1997) Figure 5.2 Converted Data (Land Use mesh map in 1997) 5.3 Development of the support tools for GIS training As referred above, adequate data converting is an essential procedure to import into GRASS from download source files form the Web. This converting technique is not so hard, but it may be felt so difficult for computer beginner because it takes a certain amount of the programming knowledge and skill. And so, now we are developing the converter toolkit with simple operation through the Web browser (Figure 6.1 and 6.2). Users just have to send the source files and some required options to convert data file. Users are able to display several maps and to analyze easily by using this converter tools without a programming knowledge and skill about data converting. Figure 6.1 Data convert tools (Upload) 6 Figure 6.2 Data convert tools (Confirmation)

5.4 Display example of converted several data In this section, we introduce an example that imported various map data into GRASS using data converter we prepared. These figures are shown each official announcement land price (Figure 7, Point data), Main road (Figure 8, Line data), Zone boundary (Figure 9, Polygon data) and Land use mesh (Figure 10, Raster data) of Digital National Land Information. All layers of map can be displayed as overlay data, for importing same geographic coordinate system. Moreover, as shown in the Figure 7.2 and 9.2, to change color coding and method of representing data become available for importing into GRASS-GIS by attribute data as well as figure data automatically. And to display the Japanese character on maps (Figure 8.2, 9.2) with the exception that deal with the character other than English inside GRASS s command as SQL statements. As explained using the previous examples, it came to be able to import of the several basic data needed in treating GIS directly to GRASS-GIS by preparing and offering the easily operation converting tools. On these imported data basis, users are capable of training aimed at spatial analysis as grasp of geographic characteristics by searching statistics data contained attribute data and geometrical operating. Figure 7.1 Display Manager Figure 7.2 Point Data : Land Price (1995 and 2005) - Figure 8.1 Display Manager Figure 8.2 Line Data : Main Road (1995) - Figure 9.1 Display Manager Figure 9.2 Polygon Data : Zone boundary (2000) 7

Figure 10.1 Display Manager Figure 10.2 Raster Data : Land Use Mesh (1997) 6 Conclusion In this paper, we have verified the substitutability of laboratory exercise materials at our university from commercial GIS to open-source software, on the basis of a functional comparison between commercial GIS and GRASS-GIS. It is thought that to introduce the open-source software has some advantages such as avoidance of vendor-depend and software cost reduction for educational institutions. Moreover, anybody has complete access of the source code that makes up the software, it is hoped that lead to advance in programming skill for users. Next, we prepared the data format converter to import directly the several downloaded free spatial data into GRASS-GIS. By using converter, users are able to prepare the direct readable data into GIS software and to concentrate oneself to learning. Continuing with this approach, we plan to continue the development of teaching materials and other educational tools for urban planning studies such as data set package for one purpose of training task. Notes 1 http://grass.itc.it/ 2 ESRI Corporation (http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/) 3 Bentley Systems, Inc. (http://www.bentley.com/en-us/products/microstation/) 4 Microsoft Corporation (http://www.microsoft.com/office/access/prodinfo/) 5 http://www.postgresql.org/ References [1] Markus Netteler and Helena Mitasova, OPEN-SOURCE GIS: A GRASS GIS Approach, KAP. 2002. [2] Kei SAITO, Shinji CHIBA, Michihiko SHINOZAKI, Development of open-source GIS Educational Tools for Urban Planning -Migration to the GRASS-GIS package in the GIS educational environment-, International Journal of GeoInformatics, Vol 1, No. 1, pp.101-107, 2005. 8