Foundations for Geocontextualization

Urban design and development is an iterative process that involves community engagement and multiple feedback cycles. Advances in internet technologies and web mapping technologies has made it possible to display design plans on websites and to collect feedback on specific locations or aspects of the provided design. Using web mapping applications to feedback from the community is formally known as facilitated volunteer geographic information (FVGI). FVGI has potential to improve decision making in urban governance but it comes with challenges such as data overload, poor data quality and data ambiguity. This research proposes an automated process to address FVGI challenges using a methodology termed as geocontextualization. The technique will use machine learning theories and an understanding of geography to achieve desired results. The partnership project will focus on the foundations of the methodology by providing the researcher to develop and implement data collection and reporting methodologies.

Faculty Supervisor:

Robert Feick

Student:

Majuratan Sadagopan

Partner:

Gerrard Design Associates Inc

Discipline:

Urban studies

Sector:

Construction and infrastructure

University:

University of Waterloo