Information and Knowledge Management using ArcGIS ModelBuilder

Information and Knowledge Management Using ArcGIS
ModelBuilder
João Agrela, Leonor Esteves, Jorge Ferreira and Óscar Antunes
Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
Joao.agrela@gmail.com
l.raquel@clix.pt
jr.ferreira@fcsh.unl.pt
oscarduarteantunes@gmail.com
Abstract: The advent of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) brought into play an array of tools to interpret
the ever growing multitude of geographical variables. The fact that these tools exist does not, nonetheless, mean
that it’s easy or clear to make valid interpretations of the available information, which ultimately means that the
validity of the methods of interpretation may not be enough to make clear planning decisions. The present
contribution aims to demonstrate that the geographical nature of available data is in itself an object of
interpretation that must precede the use of the GIS tools, and that they must be presented to the user as a flow of
reasoning, a logic-based representation of problem-solving steps. In what concerns this presentation, the authors
will present what is, from their point of view, one of the most useful methods of visualizing these steps and also
one of the most practical tools for local planning. The human interpretation of geographical information is vital,
because it is the user that decides the nature of the relations between the data, based on its individual attributes.
Also, the manner in which the information is viewed is also important because the choice of used tools is based
on an ontological view of the geographical science. Some users prefer to act using only vector data set claiming
that it’s the best way to represent reality, and other users state that raster data set is the best base to solve a
problem providing it has a good enough resolution. The authors argue that the best way to proceed is to identify
the nature of the geographical variable and to use vector or raster data considering which is most suitable for
each variable. Ultimately the decision between raster or vector data lays upon the decision making agents and
what they want as a final output. The article points out that the use of the ArcGis tool Model Builder is the best
way to view the flow of operations and that the models built in this way are extremely valuable for local
governments (assuming that the same problem may afflict different regions). As such, it is stated that the first
step for GIS based problem solving is the clear distinction between context, structure, support and created
information and that the models have to reflect these relations. The models also have to solve the vector/raster
data problem effectively and they have to be as simple as possible. To demonstrate the stated the authors
present one model to point out the preferable methodology and ontological approach of problem solving (the
model being about the problem of finding the location of a Wastewater Treatment Plant in the municipality of
Amadora, Portugal) and afterwards several examples of Models created with the Model Builder tool that aim to
solve specific problems (Risk cartography for Urban Fires in Lisbon, Portugal; Preferable areas for the
implementation of a network for urban cycling in Lisbon, Portugal; Preferable areas for the implementation of a
network of urban agriculture plots).
Keywords: geographical information system, spatial modeling, information dissemination, model builder,
geography
1. The need for modeling
Globalization and the intensification of relations between territories, institutions, enterprises and
population have undeniably increased competitiveness among cities and regions, which, in turn,
forced the territory to a constant mutation aiming for an adaptation to the surrounding environment
(LÚCIO, et al, 2010;LOPES, 2001).
Thus, a profound knowledge about geography, enterprise and population locations, territorial policies
and strategies, is imperative for defining a multivariate evaluation model that contributes to decision
making, allowing also the definition of new planning tools and territorial policies, and the improvement
of the already existing ones as well (MATOS, 2008).
Trying to achieve an integrated planning of the territory that articulates its local, regional and national
scopes, which in turn are inseparable from the institutions who manage them, is crucial to articulate
the goals of the planning process with the indicators of that territory’s dynamics in its various
dimensions (socioeconomic, demographic, environmental, technological, R&D, land use and
occupation, knowledge society). These reflect the causes of its growing, regression or stagnation,
comparatively to other regions.
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