Geospatial Revolution Project Explored

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Penn State Public Broadcasting has released a web-based series of videos called the Geospatial Revolution Project , the first episode of which debuted in September of 2010:

The project will feature a web-based serial release of video episodes—each telling an intriguing geospatial story. Overarching themes woven throughout the episodes will tie them together, and the episodes will culminate in a 60-minute documentary.

Geospatial Revolution Episode 1: Introduction to Geospatial technologies

The first episode (also viewable below) moves very rapidly over the timeframe of mapping and the development of geospatial technologies starting with etched Babylonian maps dating from 2300 B.C on up to today’s geospatial advances.  The episode segues into how users have gone from being passive recipients of geographic information to active participants in the collection and reporting of that information.  There is an interesting segment on the Haiti crisis mapping and how crowd sourcing efforts coordinated by Ushahidi and Open Street Map were critical in helping coordinate  relief efforts.  The episode features insights from a people representing a variety of academic, news media, U.S. government, and commercial geospatial companies.

There are four episodes listed.  The second episode is slated for November 2nd.  Episodes 3 and 4 will air in 2011 (February 1st and March 15th).  More detail about the first episode can be read in the press release.


Geospatial Revolution Episode 2

The second episode of the Geospatial Revolution Project has been released.  The first episode debuted in September and covered an overview of the development of mapping and geospatial technologies, activate participation in geographic data creation, and crisis mapping.  The second episodes is divided into three sections looking at municipal, business, and health applications of geospatial technologies.  The first section looks at the many mapping and  location-based applications the City of Portland, Oregon uses to manage services in the city.  The video profiles the use of logistics software by UPS to optimize their routing and package delivery.  The final segment looks at the use of GIS analysis to define where to focus efforts to provide healthier food choices in underserved neighborhoods.

The entire second episode can be watched below or by visiting the second episode page of the Geospatial Revolution Project. The third episode will be release March 1, 2011.


Geospatial Revolution Episode 3

The third episode of the Geospatial Revolution Project has been released.  The latest episode focuses on geospatial intelligence and crime analysis.  The first segment entitled “Mapping the Road to Peace” looks at the use of PowerScene to create a peaceful division of former Yugoslavia that would be acceptable to Croats, Bosnians and Serbs.   The software was used to delineate Muslim-Croat territory and Serb territory.   PowerScence was also used to solve the tricky problem of developing a corridor to connect the muslim enclave of Goradze with the rest of  by the Muslim-Croat territory.   By combining satellite images, aerial photographs, maps, topographical data with flyover capabilities, PowerScene was used to convince Milan Milosevic to accept the delineated corridor.  The second segment looks at the use of geospatial technology in modern warfare, looking not just at spatial analysis in combat but also the humane geography uses of the military.  The third segment focuses on crime analysis including hot spot analysis and parolee  GPS tracking.  The fourth and final segment takes an alarmist look at the use of geospatial technology to illicitly track individuals and reminds individuals to be aware of those dangers.

 

Geospatial Revolution Episode 4

The fourth and final episode of the Geospatial Revolution Project goes live on May 3rd.  A Facebook event has been planned. (via @Geospatialrev). 

 

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