diff --git a/submissions/450/.gitignore b/submissions/450/.gitignore new file mode 100644 index 0000000..075b254 --- /dev/null +++ b/submissions/450/.gitignore @@ -0,0 +1 @@ +/.quarto/ diff --git a/submissions/450/_quarto.yml b/submissions/450/_quarto.yml new file mode 100755 index 0000000..ae6ece2 --- /dev/null +++ b/submissions/450/_quarto.yml @@ -0,0 +1,8 @@ +project: + type: manuscript + +manuscript: + article: index.qmd + +format: + html: default diff --git a/submissions/450/images/Fig.1.png b/submissions/450/images/Fig.1.png new file mode 100755 index 0000000..276495d Binary files /dev/null and b/submissions/450/images/Fig.1.png differ diff --git a/submissions/450/images/Fig.2.png b/submissions/450/images/Fig.2.png new file mode 100755 index 0000000..37a8e7f Binary files /dev/null and b/submissions/450/images/Fig.2.png differ diff --git a/submissions/450/images/Fig.3.png b/submissions/450/images/Fig.3.png new file mode 100755 index 0000000..b0c7224 Binary files /dev/null and b/submissions/450/images/Fig.3.png differ diff --git a/submissions/450/images/Fig.4.png b/submissions/450/images/Fig.4.png new file mode 100755 index 0000000..1a69ea9 Binary files /dev/null and b/submissions/450/images/Fig.4.png differ diff --git a/submissions/450/images/Fig.5.png b/submissions/450/images/Fig.5.png new file mode 100755 index 0000000..c18bc51 Binary files /dev/null and b/submissions/450/images/Fig.5.png differ diff --git a/submissions/450/images/Fig.6.png b/submissions/450/images/Fig.6.png new file mode 100755 index 0000000..ddcd5d2 Binary files /dev/null and b/submissions/450/images/Fig.6.png differ diff --git a/submissions/450/images/Fig.7.png b/submissions/450/images/Fig.7.png new file mode 100755 index 0000000..3855426 Binary files /dev/null and b/submissions/450/images/Fig.7.png differ diff --git a/submissions/450/index.qmd b/submissions/450/index.qmd new file mode 100755 index 0000000..14c9442 --- /dev/null +++ b/submissions/450/index.qmd @@ -0,0 +1,90 @@ +--- +submission_id: 450 +title: "Using GIS to Analyze the Development of Public Urban Green Spaces in Hamburg and Marseille (1945 - 1973)" +author: + - name: Eliane Schmid + orcid: 0000-0001-7904-3908 + email: eliane.schmid@uni.lu + affiliations: + - Université du Luxembourg +keywords: + - GIS + - Public Urban Green Spaces + - Hamburg + - Marseille + - History of Urban Planning +abstract: | + Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a powerful tool for spatial analysis. In historical research GIS are used for mapping, georeferencing, and data analysis. Layering information offers new ways to evaluate historical data and construct arguments. But GIS offer a myriad of choices for data modeling and visualization, so users should remain critical and conscious of their entire workflow processes. In the following, I employ the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis framework to systematically evaluate the implications of using GIS in historical research. The development of public urban green spaces in Hamburg and Marseille from 1945 to 1973 serve as useful case studies. In drawing on my experience in employing GIS methods to analyze post-war green spaces, I discuss close and distant reading techniques applied to GIS models, potential implementation of AI with GIS methods, and the multiple ways to model spatial data and create historical narratives.The goal is to provoke critical thinking about when using GIS genuinely supports research beyond producing impressive visuals, how it aids hypotheses and arguments, and how it can change the way historians work with their sources and think about their data. +key-points: + - GIS are powerful spatial analysis tools for historical research. + - GIS aid the development of hypotheses and the framing of arguments in historical research projects. + - GIS offer a myriad of choices for data modeling and visualization which researchers should remain critical and conscious of. +date: 2024-07-26 +bibliography: references.bib +--- + +## Introduction +GIS (Geographic Information Systems) have become increasingly valuable in spatial history research since the mid-1990s, and is particularly useful for analyzing socio-spatial dynamics in historical contexts [@kemp_what_2009, p. 16; @gregory_historical_2007, p.1]. My PhD research applies GIS to examine and compare the development of public urban green spaces, namely public parks and playgrounds, in the port cities of Hamburg and Marseille, between post-WWII urban reconstruction and the First Oil Shock in 1973. The management and processing of data concerning green space evolution in GIS allow visualization of when and where parks were created, and how these reflect socio-spatial differentiations. This layering of information offers ways to evaluate historical data and construct arguments, while also helping communicate the project to a wider audience. To critically assess the application of GIS in historical research, I will use the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis framework. This popular business consultancy approach [@minsky_are_2021] serves here as a structure for systematic reflection on how digital methods can enhance historical research and where caution is needed. The goal is to provoke critical thinking about when using GIS genuinely support research beyond producing impressive visuals, and to explore the balance between close and distant reading of historical data. + + +## Strengths +GIS are composed of layers of data sets and are mainly used for mapping, georeferencing, and data analysis (e.g. spatial analysis). The data can be varied in what it represents but must be linked to spatial parameters for it to be positioned in a visualization for analysis of spatial information [@wheatley_spatial_2005, pp.1,8]. GIS layers for historical studies can be viewed as models of data sets. They represent specific topics in time and space simplistically, and spark reflection [@van_ruymbeke_modeliser_2021, p.8]. The screen shot of my QGIS workspace (@fig-1) shows the city of Marseille with parks marked in various stages of planning in the early 1970s. This was the time when longstanding Mayor Gaston Defferre launched the large-scale greening initiative Mille Points Verts pour Marseille [@g_envoi_1971]. Defferre and his team’s goal was to react to a growing ecological awareness and increase the number of green spaces for a more livable city [@prof_j_no_1971]. They also organized events to include and educate citizens and to garner their support for the upcoming elections [@noauthor_semaine_1971]. The majority of parks created within Mille Points Verts remain until today, with only a handful of additional parks added after the mid-1970s. This is visible when the layer with parks and gardens from a 2018 dataset provided by the government of Marseille is selected (@fig-2). The strength of GIS layering is evident when we apply distant reading techniques: skimming over the model we see a display of spatial relations of park distribution and location as well as their connection to time.\ +In order for this visualization to take shape, I produced and assembled data. Specifically, I selected data and went through the process of closely reading my historical sources, learning to understand them and to think through their meaning. In this way maps are social documents. By themselves, they do not reveal anything yet. But by superimposing visualizations, GIS can reveal thinking processes of the data curators and map creators [cf. for example @jones_mapping_2021]. + +::: {#fig-1} +![Planned parks (1970-71) within the 'Mille Points Verts' initiative.](images/Fig.1.png){#fig-1} +::: +::: {#fig-2} +![This image can be deceiving as it seems that many parks do not overlap. Figure 1 shows approximate planning locations. The 2018 state of parks therefore shows the current locations of many of the planned ones from 1970-71.](images/Fig.2.png){#fig-2} +::: + + + +## Weaknesses + +The curation of data, although an important and empowering step for the historian and GIS researcher, also reveals the weaknesses of GIS: the mismatch between GIS requirements (in terms of data structuring and quality) and the imperfection of historical data. GIS software is created for geographers, not historians. Everything in GIS is structured data and therefore cannot handle ambiguities natural to historical sources. Sources in whatever form they are collected by the historian first must be organized, selected, tabularized, geocoded and/or georeferenced [@kemp_what_2009, p.16-17]. The caveat here is that a historian’s data is hardly ever complete. Missing records shape both what we can and cannot analyze – especially when working with GIS. In historical narration on text the researcher can explain gaps and postulate why this may be the case. GIS do not allow for gaps and thus we can only produce models and visualizations with the numerical evidence available.\ +The visualization presented here helps to model different states of an object: the park. As my data is not complete, discrepancies between the mapped data and the on-the-ground reality occur, especially since the planned parks had vague names sometimes only matching the name of an entire neighborhood. This raises the question of how to capture temporality. How can the aspect of time appear on a two-dimensional visualization? Rendering the time layer onto the spatial one demands creativity and an awareness that time is something constructed [Massey speaks of “implicit imaginations of time and space” @massey_for_2005, pp.22].\ +From the map making perspective, time significantly impacts the creation process. GIS work is time-consuming and labor-intensive. It involves meticulous manual searching, assembling, and layering of data. However, linking to the overarching topic of this conference, AI may offer new possibilities. Tools such as Transkribus allow users to apply machine learning to filter specific elements from document sets. LLMs can then process this information into CSV files for GIS software. While not yet revolutionary, as these tools evolve, AI could become useful in extracting numerical evidence from textual sources. For geocoding of places, AI would greatly aid efficiency and relieve the researcher of tedious manual work. However, at this point, LLMs such as Claude AI and ChatGPT still hallucinate considerably. + + +## Opportunities +AI-assisted data extraction presents a gateway to think about opportunities. Researchers could focus more on experimenting with design and layering by automating time-consuming tasks. For example, mapping supports spatial thinking and perception by integrating the crucial 'where' element: Where are specific features located? How near or far is one place from another? Depending on what obstacles or facilitators are in place a park may be close in measured distance but far in terms of accessibility if there is no bridge or tunnel to e.g. cross a motorway, or water element. Therefore, how are different locations related? How can we perceive and understand distance?\ +The screenshot here shows a handful of ‘wheres’ (@fig-3). They reveal where the majority of parks are located, their proximity to neighborhoods, the types of surrounding communities, and their connections to amenities and public infrastructure. This approach enables comparisons across different scales. For instance, I can compare park distribution between Hamburg and Marseille and track their development over time.\ +These questions prompted by the use of GIS direct both user and observer back to the original sources for close reading. A GIS model can spark interest in a topic and motivate the researcher to dig deeper on what these layers mean and how they were created. Ideally GIS should be used as a starting point for in depth analysis. In the case of Marseille and Hamburg, the development of public urban green spaces was what inspired me to look more closely at the historical circumstances. Hamburg, for instance, has a long history of creating expansive green areas with the support of private patrons. Marseille does not have a comparable patronage system. Instead, municipal expropriation rendered private villas and their gardens public.\ +GIS are a powerful tool that serve multiple functions in research [@wheatley_spatial_2005, p.8]. They “can play a role in generating ideas and hypotheses at the beginning of a project” and serve as valuable instruments for analysis and evaluation [@brewer_basic_2006, p.S36]. By modeling research hypotheses and findings, e.g. maps can be used to effectively communicate to diverse audiences – from the general public to specialized groups such as urban planners and municipal governments, relevant to my field of historical urban planning research.\ +A particularly compelling aspect of GIS is their ability to visually represent power relations (@fig-4). This feature bridges the gap between historical analysis and contemporary urban planning, making it an invaluable tool in understanding the evolution of urban spaces. The visualization of Marseille reveals that the majority of parks are located towards the center and south of the city and does not necessarily correspond to the population density. The south of Marseille is where villas abound and thus the upper and upper-middle class live. The majority of the HLM (housing at moderate rent) are located towards the north, where living conditions are condensed, and political representation is low. What is more, if I select the layers showing where most immigrants and workers live today, a lack of green spaces is visible (@fig-5) (@fig-6) (@fig-7).\ +Connecting this once more to close reading of the sources: when Mille Points Verts was launched, planners scavenged locations for green space creation. The HLM neighborhoods were marked as unsuitable for participation in this program: People living in social housing would “misuse” the parks by playing soccer on them or walking across the grass [@noauthor_amenagement_1970]. This shows complexity of space perception and power imbalance [@van_ruymbeke_modeliser_2021, pp.7]. + +::: {#fig-3} +![Zoom in on the harbor area where also the "pénétrante nord" is located (built in the late 1960s). Along this main road many parks were planned but not built.](images/Fig.3.png){#fig-3} +::: +::: {#fig-4} +![Population 2012 layer turned on (natural breaks). This visualization presents a caveat: the northern part does not appear densely populated. This is not the case as the northern neighborhoods are very hilly, thus HLM apartment blocks house a large number of people in a small space.](images/Fig.4.png){#fig-4} +::: +::: {#fig-5} +![Zoom in on harbor area. Population 2012 (natural breaks).](images/Fig.5.png){#fig-5} +::: +::: {#fig-6} +![Zoom in on harbor area. Immigrants 2012 (natural breaks).](images/Fig.6.png){#fig-6} +::: +::: {#fig-7} +![Zoom in on harbor area. Workers 2012 (natural breaks).](images/Fig.7.png){#fig-7} +::: + + + +## Threats + +Yet all these opportunities are ambiguous and “entrusting machines with the memory of human activity can be frightening”. The last element of the SWOT analysis, threats, rounds off these reflections. Although it is crucial to encourage critical thinking through the mapping of, for example, political representation and wealth distribution of a city it also shows my personal convictions. I wish to demonstrate which voices where not heard in the planning of these spaces, which people were not considered when decisions were made. I am biased when I start with the premise that there is inequality. The map, objective as it may seem, never is. The book *How to Lie with Maps* provocatively shows the power of maps to create a strong, and perhaps deceiving, narrative:\ +*"Map users generally are a trusting lot: they understand the need to distort geometry and suppress features, and they believe the cartographer really does know where to draw the line, figuratively as well as literally. […] Yet cartographers are not licensed, and many mapmakers competent in commercial art or the use of computer workstations have never studied cartography. Map users seldom, if ever, question these authorities, and they often fail to appreciate the map's power as a tool of deliberate falsification or subtle propaganda"* [@monmonier_how_1996, pp.1].\ + + +People working with GIS can have all kinds of skill levels and interests. I, for example, am not a GIS specialist and relatively new to using the tool. Still, I can easily manipulate my model to paint various pictures, if I wish to do so. I can turn on different layers and focus on the number of immigrants per neighborhood, I can change the classification for the choropleth map and create entirely different impressions, or I can simply change the basemap and take away the context of terrain, transportation systems, etc. (cf. @fig-4). The quote speaks of an almost blind trust in maps, which shows once more that we must always be critical observers of the things we consume and historians should always want to be curios fact checkers.\ +A map is a series of decisions and it reflects the biography of both the maker and the observer. It is the responsibility of the historian working with GIS to be as transparent as possible regarding the choices made to display a historical development or state. It is the responsibility of the observer to use the map as a starting point for close reading, interpretation and analysis rather than the end point and a fact. We must remember “80% of GIS is about transforming, manipulating and managing spatial data”[@jones_lesson_2022]. + + +## Conclusion + +In conclusion the use of GIS in historical research and analysis requires the researcher to stay true to the principles of the craft of the historian: source criticism, the ability to subsume information, create a strong narrative, document the process of source manipulation and proper source citation. As historians we should be aware of the power of storytelling – no matter which medium we use. An audience’s spatial understanding can be enhanced via GIS models, serving as a support system of sorts. All the more reason why GIS in historical analysis must be used and consumed critically and consciously. By embracing this complexity, we can use GIS for historical reflections, enhancing our understanding of spatial and temporal dynamics in historical contexts. + + diff --git a/submissions/450/references.bib b/submissions/450/references.bib new file mode 100755 index 0000000..69e9805 --- /dev/null +++ b/submissions/450/references.bib @@ -0,0 +1,164 @@ + +@book{monmonier_how_1996, + address = {Chicago}, + edition = {2}, + title = {How to lie with maps}, + isbn = {0-226-53421-9}, + language = {eng}, + publisher = {University of Chicago Press}, + author = {Monmonier, Mark}, + year = {1996}, + keywords = {Cartes géographiques – Symboles, Cartographie, Lecture de cartes, Tromperie, notion}, +} + +@book{gregory_historical_2007, + address = {Cambridge ; New York}, + series = {Cambridge studies in historical geography}, + title = {Historical {GIS}: technologies, methodologies, and scholarship}, + isbn = {978-0-521-85563-1 978-0-521-67170-5}, + shorttitle = {Historical {GIS}}, + number = {39}, + publisher = {Cambridge University Press}, + author = {Gregory, Ian and Ell, Paul S.}, + year = {2007}, + keywords = {Methodology, Historical geographic information systems, Historical geography, notion}, +} + +@article{kemp_what_2009, + title = {What can {GIS} offer history?}, + volume = {3}, + issn = {1753-8548, 1755-1706}, + url = {https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/10.3366/ijhac.2009.0006}, + doi = {10.3366/ijhac.2009.0006}, + language = {en}, + number = {1-2}, + urldate = {2023-09-25}, + journal = {International Journal of Humanities and Arts Computing}, + author = {Kemp, Karen K.}, + month = oct, + year = {2009}, + keywords = {notion}, + pages = {15--19}, +} + +@inproceedings{jones_mapping_2021, + title = {Mapping citizens' reflections and perceptions of place-based experiences in the time of {COVID}-19}, + copyright = {Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International, Open Access}, + url = {https://zenodo.org/record/4664529}, + doi = {10.5281/ZENODO.4664529}, + abstract = {Using a Citizen Science Approach, the ZesummenMaps project explores the emergent spatial interactions of our towns, cities and rural areas that arise from the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing and confinement policies in Luxembourg and the Greater Region. Citizens (residents, students, cross-border workers) reflect on their personal experiences of place during the crises. They contribute thoughts and perceptions through a collaborative community-mapping interface. This provides a foundation to explore, evaluate and understand the evolving perceptions and uses of public spaces, infrastructures and physical environments. Thus, creating an evidence-base of emerging spatial interactions to inform understanding of the impact of the bleift doheem policy (stay at home, confinement, lockdown) related to our perceptions and uses of our towns, cities and rural areas.}, + language = {eng}, + urldate = {2024-04-26}, + publisher = {29th GISRUK Conference 2021}, + author = {Jones, Catherine}, + month = apr, + year = {2021}, + keywords = {notion}, +} + +@article{minsky_are_2021, + title = {Are {You} {Doing} the {SWOT} {Analysis} {Backwards}?}, + issn = {0017-8012}, + url = {https://hbr.org/2021/02/are-you-doing-the-swot-analysis-backwards}, + abstract = {The SWOT analysis is a recognized tool to identify an organization, department, product, or service’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Yet, despite the tool’s wide use, it’s often conducted ineffectively, making the analysis less than insightful with no clear path to action. Part of the problem lies in focusing on internal factors — strengths and weaknesses — first. But by turning it on its head, you can conduct a better analysis that can result in more actionable strategic recommendations. First, gather an inventory of relevant environmental conditions — the threats and opportunities. Next, explore internal strengths and weaknesses. Finally, generate recommendations using this simple sentence: “Given the condition of [external factor], our ability to [internal factor] leads to our recommendation that we [recommendation].” By looking at the external conditions first and internal internal attributes second, you will generate a better set of clear-cut and supported ideas for moving forward.}, + urldate = {2024-06-28}, + journal = {Harvard Business Review}, + author = {Minsky, Laurence and Aron, David}, + month = feb, + year = {2021}, + note = {Section: Strategic planning}, + keywords = {notion, Competitive strategy, Sales and marketing, Strategic planning}, + file = {Snapshot:/Users/eliane.schmid/Zotero/storage/XAB8XVSD/are-you-doing-the-swot-analysis-backwards.html:text/html}, +} + +@phdthesis{van_ruymbeke_modeliser_2021, + address = {Liège}, + type = {Thèse de Doctorat}, + title = {Modéliser l’information archéologique à l’ère du web sémantique. {Relecture} 2.0 des données archéologiques antiques et alto-médiévales de la commune de {Theux} ({B}.)}, + shorttitle = {Modéliser l’information archéologique}, + language = {fr}, + school = {Université de Liège}, + author = {Van Ruymbeke, Muriel}, + year = {2021}, + keywords = {notion}, +} + +@article{brewer_basic_2006, + title = {Basic {Mapping} {Principles} for {Visualizing} {Cancer} {Data} {Using} {Geographic} {Information} {Systems} ({GIS})}, + volume = {30}, + copyright = {https://www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/}, + issn = {07493797}, + url = {https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0749379705003582}, + doi = {10.1016/j.amepre.2005.09.007}, + language = {en}, + number = {2}, + urldate = {2024-07-09}, + journal = {American Journal of Preventive Medicine}, + author = {Brewer, Cynthia A.}, + month = feb, + year = {2006}, + keywords = {notion}, + pages = {S25--S36}, + file = {Full Text:/Users/eliane.schmid/Zotero/storage/H7VFXLGJ/Brewer - 2006 - Basic Mapping Principles for Visualizing Cancer Data Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).pdf:application/pdf}, +} + +@book{massey_for_2005, + address = {ProQuest Ebook Central}, + title = {For {Space}}, + publisher = {SAGE Publications}, + author = {Massey, Doreen B.}, + year = {2005}, + keywords = {notion}, +} + +@book{wheatley_spatial_2005, + address = {London}, + title = {Spatial technology and archaeology: the archeaological applications of {GIS}}, + isbn = {978-0-203-30239-2}, + shorttitle = {Spatial technology and archaeology}, + abstract = {Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and related spatial technologies have a new and powerful role to play in archaeological interpretation. Beginning with a conceptual approach to the representation of space adopted by GIS, this book examines spatial databases; the acquisition and compilation of data; the analytical compilation of data; the analytical functionality of GIS; and the creation and utilization of critical foundation data layers such as the Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The ways in which GIS can most usefully facilitate archaeological analysis and interpretation are then explored particularly as a tool for the management of archaeological resources. Formal analysis of archaeological material, and the use of trend surface, contouring and interpolation procedures are considered along with predictive modeling analysis of visibility and intervisibility. Finally there is a discussion of leading-edge issues, including three-dimensional GIS, object-oriented GIS, the relationship between GIS and 'Virtual Reality' technologies, and the integration of GIS with distributed systems and the Internet. T he approach is light, and technical detail is kept to a minimum, recognizing th; The text is carefully illustrated with worked case-studies using archaeological data. Spatial Technology and Archaeology provides a single reference source for archaeologists, students, professionals, and academics in archaeology as well as those in anthropology and related disciplines}, + language = {eng}, + publisher = {Taylor \& Francis}, + author = {Wheatley, David and Gillings, Mark}, + year = {2005}, + note = {OCLC: 57478666}, + keywords = {notion}, +} + +@misc{g_envoi_1971, + title = {Envoi de circulaires sur les '{Espaces} {Verts}’}, + publisher = {554W6, Archives de la Ville de Marseille}, + author = {Gassier, G.}, + month = jan, + year = {1971}, +} + +@misc{prof_j_no_1971, + title = {{Letter} to {Monsieur} {Jacques} {Mazel}}, + publisher = {483W278, Archives de la Ville de Marseille}, + author = {Chelini, Prof. J}, + month = jan, + year = {1971}, +} + +@misc{noauthor_semaine_1971, + title = {La {Semaine} {Verte}}, + publisher = {483W278, Archives de la Ville de Marseille}, + author = {Anonymous}, + year = {1971}, +} + +@misc{noauthor_amenagement_1970, + title = {Aménagement d'une bande de terrain longeant l'avenue {Jean} {Compadieu} à {BOIS} {LEMAITRE}. {COMPTE} {RENDU} {DE} {VISITE} suite à la demande de {M}. {P}. {CERMOLACCE}}, + publisher = {554W6, Archives de la Ville de Marseille}, + author = {Anonymous}, + year = {1970}, +} + +@misc{jones_lesson_2022, + address = {Université du Luxembourg}, + title = {Introduction to GIS, Lesson 1 “{Mapping} {Elements} and {My} {First} {Map}”}, + author = {Jones, Catherine E. and Schiel, Kerry}, + month = jul, + year = {2022}, +}