back to basics - cultural landscape analysis from an informational & perceptual perspective
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Back to basics
Cultural landscape analysis from an
informational & perceptional perspective
J. Sophie Visser ICHGLandZij August 2009PhD-research University Utrecht Kyoto
Background
1978 M.Sc. Chemistry (including Informatics)
+ 20 years Information Systems (IS), Modeling & Management
2006 M.A. (Historical) Geography, Utrecht University (Dr. Hans Renes)
2007 Start PhD Research, based on Master Research
Presentation Outline
-Problems and insights from Master research-historic landscape analysis at a local level -use of existing information systems-e.g.: example
- Concepts: knowledge, values, information
- Perception and consequences
- Conclusions
Master Research - 2004-2006
Rotterdam
The HagueUtrecht
“Green Heart of Holland”- (now) National Landscape- Peat area- Some natural rivers- Reclamation 1000-1300 AD- Digging for fuel >1600 AD
‘Characteristic landscape’-landscape structure-many canals-man-made lakes
Study area-Reeuwijk + surroundings-’natural boundaries’
Amsterdam
Reeuwijk from the air:
Reeuwijk in higher government systems: usable information?
National level (KICH)*:Aim:-(inter)national values, presented as knowledge
Content in Reeuwijk area:- 0 element (2004) to 3 (in 2005) to 1 (in 2009): only canals -data per element: 1 function (Defense line) 1 period
*excl. Archaeology & monuments
Reeuwijk in higher government systems: usable information?
National level (KICH)*:Aim:-(inter)national values, presented as knowledge
Content in Reeuwijk area:- 0 element (2004) to 3 (in 2005) to 1 (in 2009): only canals -data per element: 1 function (Defense Line) 1 period
Provincial level (South Holland)*:Aim:- characteristic landscape elements- Values
Content in Reeuwijk area:-selection of landscape structure, canals, etc-data in map legend: ‘type’ and “before 1950”
- *excl. Archaeology & monuments
-Value-driven => (too) selective-Values not transparant-hardly any data-implicit knowledge/information
-Mainly ‘statements’ -confusion knowledge <=> values-hardly usable at
- a local level- other purposes
(although pretentions)
Reeuwijk in higher government system: usable information?
Ob-ject
ObjectVer-sion
Event Event year
Year New event/ end
Type Function(s)
Water mgt.
Ship-ping
De-fense
05 0 Watermgt. ~1250 ~1367 Canal X
05 1 Watermgt. ~1367 1672 Canal X x
05 2 Part of De-fense Line
>1672 1815 Canal X x x
05 3 End De-fense Line
1815 ….. Canal X x
05 4 …………….
Situation => solution:“Different values upon (more or less) shared landscape history knowledge”
=> start from knowledge!
Example: Dubbele Wiericke- complex history- events => changes => ‘object versions’ - e.g. in a record structure:
…… and keep values seperate!
Ob-ject
ObjectVer-sion
Event Event year
Year New event/ end
Type Function(s)
Water mgt.
Trans-port
De-fense
05 0 Mgt. water ~1250 ~1367 Canal X
05 1 Mgt. water ~1367 1672 Canal X X
05 2 Part of OHWL
>1672 1815 Canal X X X
05 3 End OHWL 1815 ….. Canal X X
Values
Natio-nal
Provin-cial
Local
~ x
~ x
X X x
~ x
depends
Selections: whatever purpose
e.g. Spatial quality plan
e.g. Heritage plan
Concept In information system
knowledge ‘the base’
Values derived fromknowledge,by criteria
Information view(s) on knowledge, values, …
Knowledge, values, information (1)
knowledge
values
criteria
Enhanced transparency:making values, knowledge and criteria (more) explicit
Concepts Definitions In information system
knowledge = body of meaningful concepts ‘the base’ and associations
Values = combined qualities (suitability, derived fromneed, knowledge), giving some knowledgethings significance over others by criteria
Information = communicated knowledge view(s) on (and values, ……………) knowledge,
values, …
(Data = elementary ‘facts’)
knowledge
values
criteria
Knowledge, values, information (2)
Perception => influence in many ways
(1) Perception mechanism
(2) Perception of information needs
(3) Perception of content => (landscape) concepts and associations (4) Perception of who (and what) to include
(1) Perception mechanism
Perception
CH Landscape Values
Criteria, purpose,Norms, standards, valuesNeeds, interests
Existing Knowledge
Information processingIn brain
Criteria applied on knowledgefor values
Criteria, etc
New CH landscapeKnowledge
Integration
documents
landscapelandscape
(1) Perception mechanism and what’s leading: knowledge, or ……
Perception
CH Landscape Values
Criteria, purpose,Norms, standards, valuesNeeds, interests
Existing Knowledge
Information processingIn brain
Criteria applied on knowledgefor values
Criteria, etc
New CH landscapeKnowledge
Integration
documents
landscapelandscape
CH Landscape Values
Criteria, purpose,Norms, standards, valuesNeeds, interests
Existing Knowledge
Information processingIn brain
Criteria, etc
New knowledge
SelectionIn knowledge
Perception
(1) what’s leading in the perception: …. or values?
To what did you set your mind ……?
Landscape study
Landscape study project
Perception Knowledge
Values
Criteria, valuesNorms, standardsNeeds, interests
(2) Perception of information needs of others ….
Landscape design
Information,
communication
Landscape study
Landscape study project
Perception Knowledge
Values
Criteria, valuesNorms, standardsNeeds, interests
(2) … meaning communication of information & needs …..
Perception Knowledge
Values
Landscape design
Landscape design project
Information needs
Criteria, valuesNorms, standardsNeeds, interests
Direct communication: talking, …
Landscape study
Landscape study Project
Perception Knowledge
Values
Criteria, valuesNorms, standardsNeeds, interests
(2) … but time-delayed and multiple in information systems!
Knowledge,
Values
Perception Knowledge
Values
Criteria,Normsneeds
Landscape design project
Landscape plan
Information needs
Information system
Perception
of uses, usersand their needs
Perception
of own needs
‘specifying in advance’ => - which needs, purposes, uses? - which ´content´?
landscape
Historical geographer Landscape designer Local historian
objects
structures
waterWater structure
composition
settlement shapeLakes
Buildings
Urban area
Peat digging
(3) Perception of ´content`: which concepts and relations included?
Granddad
-Which concepts: ´conceptual information model´ -Whose concepts: inclusion/exclusion?
=> ‘content’ not neutral or just technical!
Spatialproject
Landscape policy plan
Planning/designbureau
Government
NGO’s, Groups,People
GIS Specialists
Web designers
LocalHistorians
Nature club
Historical Geographers
University
HeritageInstitution
(4) Perception of who to include ……
LocalFarmers
Decision makers: money, time
Project teams
Spatialproject
Landscape policy plan
Conclusions
- Usable information is about much more than GIS, computers, websites, ….- Decisions by people- Perceptions of people- Concepts and associations - Knowledge, values => sharing, communicating, ….
- Multi-usable systems: going beyond one’s own perceptions - Awareness of other perceptions and needs- Willingness to include other knowledge and values
- Integration/attuning of multiple needs, views, knowledge, values - Sound ‘conceptual information modelling ‘- Knowledge versus values
Meant as programmer’s joke, but ……
…. information systems are made by people!
Thank you!