GEOPHYS: Design and Fabrication of Geospatial Physicalizations

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dc.contributor.advisorSamavati, Faramarz F.
dc.contributor.advisorLevy, Richard M.
dc.contributor.authorDjavaherpour, Hessam
dc.contributor.committeememberOehlberg, Lora
dc.contributor.committeememberDawson, Peter
dc.date2021-11
dc.date.accessioned2021-07-21T17:27:58Z
dc.date.available2021-07-21T17:27:58Z
dc.date.issued2021-07-14
dc.description.abstractGeospatial datasets are complex, difficult to understand, and hard to visualize. Although web maps have provided visualization of geospatial datasets using computer-generated 2D maps, such visualizations significantly deal with misinterpretations of areas and distances due to the mapping distortions. Digital Earth (DE) is an alternative solution for overcoming 2D map distortions and integrating various geospatial datasets. However, virtual 3D models of the Earth still suffer from common issues caused by projecting 3D scenes to 2D screens, such as losing one spatial dimension and inaccessibility for direct manual interaction. By providing tactile exploration and physical interaction, physical models facilitate cognition and understanding of data. This thesis argues that using 3D physical models supporting visualizations of geospatial datasets at different scales and resolutions can address challenges related to understanding and analyzing such datasets. To shed light on this hypothesis, we introduce a framework, GEOPHYS, to make tangible multi-resolution/multi-scale representations of geospatial data. Furthermore, GEOPHYS introduces a comprehensive, accurate, and repeatable physical rendering method for various applications and visualization scenarios, using accessible digital fabrication tools. A pipeline forms the core methodology of this thesis, which consists of data transformation, digital design, digital fabrication, evaluation, and the introduction of the final framework. In this thesis, the design and fabrication stages work hand-in-hand to transform the conceptual form into a visual representation, investigate the model for its manufacturability, and bring it into the physical world. Evaluations in the context of this thesis are technology-centred and human-centred. This thesis contributes to geovisualization and physicalization by introducing a method to visualize multi-resolution geospatial datasets in Large Areas, a physical rendering approach for creating landscape models, and a tactile representation of the RADAR imagery to facilitate the sea-ice travel for Inuit. We also provide an in-depth review of various methods by which physicalizations can be physically rendered. The results of our studies prove that models made using GEOPHYS are beneficial learning tools capable of creating interest and engagement to explore geospatial concepts.en_US
dc.identifier.citationDjavaherpour, H. (2021). GEOPHYS: Design and Fabrication of Geospatial Physicalizations (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/39030
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/113657
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisher.facultyScienceen_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.subjectPhysical Visualizationen_US
dc.subjectDigital Fabricationen_US
dc.subject3D Printingen_US
dc.subjectDigital Designen_US
dc.subjectGeospatial Dataen_US
dc.subjectPhysicalizationen_US
dc.subjectGeovisualizationen_US
dc.subject.classificationArchitectureen_US
dc.subject.classificationComputer Scienceen_US
dc.titleGEOPHYS: Design and Fabrication of Geospatial Physicalizationsen_US
dc.typedoctoral thesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineComputational Media Designen_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrueen_US
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