GIS 4102 Module 11 - Sharing Tools

Sharing tools was the subject of the final module for GIS Programming. After modifying a script so that it could be embedded right into the pertinent tool, the script was embedded and then password protected. Embedding a script directly into the tool improves the ease with which the tool can be shared. Password protecting the script prevents anyone from viewing or exporting the script without the password. The tool's dialog box and the results from this module's embedded script can be seen here:

Results from Embedded Script and Tool's Dialog Box

Initially working with Python was frustrating, but continuing with it was fruitful. It quickly became obvious that the more Python is used, the easier it is to use and understand. While there still are several things that are not clearly understood, finding the right resource for clarification is becoming quicker. Implementing what has been learned will be important to retaining it.

And just in case anyone is wondering...having your elderly parents actively test the local hospital's emergency room to see if they will provide services at 2-for-1 cost for seniors just before final exam is not conducive to completing course work in a timely fashion. I'm just saying. (Both are fine now and in their own home again.)

Good luck to everyone in their Python and GIS endeavors!

GIS 4048 Final Project: Conservation Subdivision Parcel Selection

A group of developers requested assistance with locating vacant parcels in Orange County, Florida, that are suitable for the development of a conservation subdivision. Conservation subdivisions reserve about 50-70% of the buildable land for open space and group the homes on the remaining portion. Conservation subdivisions have higher home values and reduced infrastructure costs (including lower stormwater management needs), benefit wildlife, and provide open space to residents (Allen, et al., 2013). It is a win-win situation. The objectives of the project were to obtain a list of suitable parcels, calculate Euclidean distances based on clients' preferences (near major roads and conservation lands, away from airports, energy plants, and landfills), perform an intersection to remove parcels that could not be used for subdivision development, conduct weighted analyses, determine three vacant parcels that meet the criteria, and provide the results (maps, spreadsheet, and report of parcel information with owner contact information) to the clients.

Such an extensive task seemed quite daunting at first. Deciding what to take on as a project alone was time-consuming. This was a good, practical experience as I learned that finding necessary, accurate, and complete data can be quite difficult at times. Having polygons for the parcels instead of a single point for each parcel would have been more informative for the clients. Along the way there were several accidental discoveries about ArcMap's quirks which I hope to avoid with future projects. Although it was extremely time-consuming, I really enjoyed working on this project. I haven’t done any subdivision work for decades and was excited to discover the concept of conservation subdivisions. A PowerPoint presentation describing the project is available here: Conservation Subdivision Parcel Selection

Examples of Output Generated for Clients

Resources:

Allen, S., Moore, S., Moorman, L., Moorman, C., Peterson, N., & Hess, G. (n.d.).  Conservation Subdivision Handbook (North Carolina Forest Service and North Carolina State University Publication No. AG-742). Retrieved from http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/forestry/pdf/ag/ag742.pdf.

Allen, S., Moorman, C., Peterson, M.N., Hess, G., & Moore, S. (2013). Predicting success incorporating conservation subdivisions into land use planning. Land Use Policy, 33, 31–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2012.12.001. (Article in its entirety is available at http://www4.ncsu.edu/~mnpeters/documents/Allen_etal_2013_LUP_000.pdf .)