Re: UrbanSim Data Preparation using ArcGIS

Delores, Aaran and others..

We also will be needing to develop tools for data preparation for a
project with the PSRC, and will be developing ArcGIS interface tools for
a project we're just starting with MAG and PIMA in Arizona. One of the
questions we will need to think through is how much of the functional
code to do data preparation should depend on ArcGIS, and how much
should be generic code in Python that can be used by anyone, whether or
not they have an ArcGIS license. We're going to try to fully support
ArcGIS as a platform for close interoperation with, but carefully avoid
making the core functionality dependent on it, since not everyone can
afford an ArcGIS license. In any case, this will be a large part of our
work over the next year, so we would be happy to collaborate with others
who want to work on data preparation tools and/or GIS interface
functionality.

Paul

Aaran Stent wrote:
> Hi Delores,
>
> I thought I would share some thoughts...
>
> We are a MapInfo shop. Unfortunately the MapInfo version that we use is old and lacks some of the features that ArcInfo has (we need to purchase MapBasic). Hence I am looking for an alternate solution also. Currently we intend to use a combination of the PostGIS extension to Postgres, the Python implementation of the GDAL/OGR libraries and the OpenJump/DeeJump GIS tools. I found a plug-in to OpenJump that may be of some interest on the site http://www.al.fh-osnabrueck.de/jump-download.html namely the gridtools.jar that seems (on the surface) to do exactly what we UrbanSimmers need.
>
> I have not yet worked out my exact plans on how this will be done. I have obtained a copy of ArcInfo so I can follow the Amherst base data preparation example. Our team is still working on Geocoding as this is a VERY expensive task to have done in Australia.
>
> Are you looking to stop using ArcInfo or just the AMLs?
>
> Regards,
> Aaran
>
> Aaran Stent
> National Economics
> aaran.stent_at_nieir.com.au <mailto:aaran.stent_at_nieir.com.au>
> 416 Queens Parade
> Clifton Hill VIC 3068
> Ph: 0419 227 262
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: users-bounces_at_urbansim.org [mailto:users-bounces_at_urbansim.org]On
> Behalf Of Delores Muller
> Sent: Wednesday, 20 December 2006 7:38 AM
> To: users_at_urbansim.org
> Subject: UrbanSim Data Preparation using ArcGIS
>
>
>
> Just some background information ... SEMCOG uses parcels as the primary base for preparing data for UrbanSim. Once parcel attribution has been completed, we convert the parcel data to gridcell data. We have written a number of AMLs to process parcel and gridcell data as ArcInfo coverages, but would like to replace our AMLs with Python/ArcObjects/VBA code to work with geodatabases.
>
> Are there other regions out there that have already used Python/ArcObjects/VBA code to prepare data for UrbanSim?
>
> Thanks,
> Delores
>
> Delores Lee Muller
> Senior Planning Analyst
> Data Center
> muller_at_semcog.org
> 313-324-3443
>
> Southeast Michigan Council of Governments
> 535 Griswold, Suite 300
> Detroit, Michigan 48226
> 313-961-4266
> 313-961-4869 (Fax)
> www.semcog.org
>
>
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Received on Wed Dec 20 2006 - 18:17:43 PST