Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
10:49
Visualizing Efficacy of Pesticides Against Disease Vector Mosquitoes in the Field
Published on: March 16, 2019
Suitable housing placement: a GIS-based approach
John A Sorrentino1, Md Mahbubur R Meenar, Bradley J Flamm
1Economics Department, School of Business and Management, Temple University Ambler, 580 Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, PA 19002, USA. jsorrent@temple.edu
Environmental Management
|July 3, 2008
Summary
This study compared sustainable development to trend development in the Pennypack Creek Watershed. Sustainable development showed significant improvements in energy use and emissions, with minor impacts on water quality and biological integrity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Urban Planning
- Sustainability Studies
Background:
- Suburban sprawl presents challenges to local sustainability.
- The Pennypack Creek Watershed in the Philadelphia metro region faces environmental pressures.
- Understanding the impacts of development patterns is crucial for watershed management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To operationalize local sustainability within a suitable development scenario.
- To compare the energy and environmental impacts of sustainable development versus trend development.
- To assess the effects on ecosystem services.
Main Methods:
- Utilized geographic information systems (GIS) software to create residential location scenarios.
- Based scenarios on projections from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
- Estimated impacts on energy use, air emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, water quality, and biological integrity with limited data.
Main Results:
- The suitable development scenario demonstrated a 29% improvement in energy use, air emissions, and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Water quality showed a marginal decline of 2.4% under the suitable development scenario.
- Biological integrity improved by 2.6% in the suitable development scenario.
Conclusions:
- Sustainable development offers net beneficial results for energy use and emissions.
- Policy recommendations are proposed to encourage suitable development practices.
- The methodology can be adapted for application in other watershed studies.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Manipulation and Analysis
GIS manipulation and analysis functions are vital for decision-making and planning. These activities range from data retrieval tasks, such as selecting information based on specific criteria, to advanced analytical techniques that address complex spatial problems.One critical GIS analysis method is overlaying, which combines multiple data layers to examine impacts. For example, overlaying a river-dammed lake boundary with road networks can identify affected infrastructure. Another common...
01:17Design Example: Alignment of a Road Line Using GIS
The alignment of a road line using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a critical process in civil engineering, combining advanced technology with practical decision-making. This methodology begins with the collection of geospatial data, including information on land cover, geomorphology, drainage patterns, slope, and contour details. Such data is typically acquired through satellite imagery and GIS tools, offering a comprehensive understanding of the terrain.Once the data is gathered, it...
01:30Thematic Layering in GIS
In the past, planning projects such as schools or public facilities required extensive manual effort to gather and compile data. Information such as property boundaries, soil characteristics, road networks, zoning regulations, and flood zones had to be sourced individually from courthouses, utility providers, and registry offices. Assembling these datasets into a coherent format often took several months, delaying project timelines.The introduction of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)...
01:28Introduction to GIS
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are tools for storing, analyzing, and displaying spatial data alongside related attributes. Unlike traditional information systems that address general queries, GIS incorporates spatial components, enabling users to answer "where" and "how far." For example, GIS can process housing data linked to geographic locations like zip codes, allowing insights into population density or housing distribution through thematic maps.GIS integrates technologies such as...
01:25Selected Data About Geographic Locations
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) rely on two core types of data: spatial data and attribute data.Spatial DataSpatial data defines the physical location of features within a coordinate system, typically expressed in terms of latitude and longitude. It provides precise positioning for elements like roads, rivers, or buildings.Attribute DataAttribute data complements spatial data by adding descriptive information about these features. For example, a road's spatial data includes its start and...
01:23GIS Software, Hardware, and Sources of GIS Data
A Geographic Information System (GIS) combines specialized software and hardware to effectively manage, analyze, and present spatial and related data. GIS software includes critical functionalities such as a user interface for easy navigation, database management tools for handling spatial and attribute data, and data retrieval features for efficient access. Analytical tools transform raw data into insights, while display functions produce maps and reports in various formats for effective...