GIS design project: designing a car-free zone in downtown shopping areas: the quality of one's solution is dependent upon the quality of the questions asked.

Introduction

A geographical information system (GIS) is essentially an electronic model, not so much different from the models that architects and engineers have used in the past. An electronic format is certainly easier to manipulate and develop design scenarios from, and today PC-based miniature electronic models have come to find many spatial applications in such everyday uses as home kitchen renovations, office and commercial building design, and interior decorating.

The application of GIS databases warrants that such use be conducted in an interdisciplinary, multi-dimensional manner. Ultimately, there will be social, environmental, and political ramifications associated with manipulating the two and three-dimensional space inherent in a GIS database. This is the main premise of this GIS project.... to educate students about such impacts while at the same time accomplishing a GIS design project.

Project Premise

Create a car-free zone in the downtown shopping area of a city or town, through the utilization of a light rail or jitney transportation service.

This project should be a team-based effort with 3-8 students involved, but may be pared back to individual activities at the discretion of the teacher. In the preferred team-based effort, activities will be parsed out to various students or sub-teams so students can practice interpersonal and communication skills, learning how real projects are conducted in business.

The team leader for each project should act as the coordinator for various activities and project scheduling. A formal schedule of activities (that appears below) should be the prime document that the team follows in the conduct of the time constraints of the project.