3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
[MIS27-05] Accomplishments and Potential Applications of Historical GIS: Researching Old Maps and Contributing Locally
★Invited Papers
Keywords:Historical GIS, Old Maps, Potential Applications, Local Learning
1. Introduction
Research that applies the vaunted functionalities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in data management and spatial analysis for analyzing past spaces and historical materials is gaining traction globally as a brand-new field called "Historical GIS." This paper will provide an overview of the past accomplishments of Historical GIS that have accompanied the spread of digital archiving and GIS technology, thereby further exploring their potential applications. Specifically, it will discuss the results of GIS research involving old maps and introduce cases where such results have been utilized for studying local regions.
2. Accomplishments of Historical GIS
First, the accomplishments of Historical GIS research are cited to include the construction of platforms used for developing old maps and other digitized historical records available to the public. For example, "A Vision of Britain Through Time," which is a project combining past maps with statistical data spearheaded by England's University of Portsmouth; and Old Maps Online, an online portal for old maps built using open-source resources. These projects use online maps to overlay past statistical information with old maps, allowing users to search location names, old maps, and more. In the early 2000s, online platforms were used in this manner to link old maps with historical geographic information and pursue historical GIS projects aimed at aggregating massive amounts of documents, materials, and data.
Using the knowledge accumulated thus far, GIS is now being utilized in the scientific research on spatial information associated with the geographic distribution of all past phenomena, while comprehensively considering traditional research on map history and historical geography that takes into account historic backgrounds. As a result, we have seen an increase in the sophistication of Historical GIS research (Hirai et al., 2014).
3. Approach to local learning through Historical GIS
The old maps made available to the public by Historical GIS projects have also contributed to initiatives aimed at local learning. For example, the online map system of the Tokushima Castle Museum, "A Historical Stroll Through Castle Town Tokushima," makes it possible to switch between the old map and the current map; this system was publicly released to impart local learning.
Old maps include a wealth of historical records, particularly spatial information, and it is relatively easy to integrate this information into online maps. Therefore, they are used as tools to gain an understanding of local regions based on comparisons between the present and the past data.
4. Conclusion
This report provided an overview of the trends observed in Historical GIS research and established that the discipline has developed to the point where its results are now being applied to studies based on local communities. Although Historical GIS research is one of the many fields that uses historical datasets, the use of GIS as a primary research tool renders it a rare field that is capable of constantly updating itself with the latest science and technology. This characteristic implies that GIS can not only provide academic contributions to adjacent disciplines, but also be utilized in a wide variety of applications that facilitate community research.
Works cited
・A Vision of Britain Through Time, https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/. Accessed February 15, 2021.
・Old Maps Online, https://www.oldmapsonline.org/. Accessed February 15, 2021.
・Hirai, Shogo, Susumu Asato, and Makoto Watanabe, eds. "GIS Analysis of Early Modern Survey Drawings: Local Developments," Kokon Shoin, Tokyo, January 2014.
・Tokugawa Castle Museum, "A Historical Stroll Through Castle Town Tokushima."
https://www.city.tokushima.tokushima.jp/johaku/rekishisanpo.html. Accessed February 15, 2021.
Research that applies the vaunted functionalities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in data management and spatial analysis for analyzing past spaces and historical materials is gaining traction globally as a brand-new field called "Historical GIS." This paper will provide an overview of the past accomplishments of Historical GIS that have accompanied the spread of digital archiving and GIS technology, thereby further exploring their potential applications. Specifically, it will discuss the results of GIS research involving old maps and introduce cases where such results have been utilized for studying local regions.
2. Accomplishments of Historical GIS
First, the accomplishments of Historical GIS research are cited to include the construction of platforms used for developing old maps and other digitized historical records available to the public. For example, "A Vision of Britain Through Time," which is a project combining past maps with statistical data spearheaded by England's University of Portsmouth; and Old Maps Online, an online portal for old maps built using open-source resources. These projects use online maps to overlay past statistical information with old maps, allowing users to search location names, old maps, and more. In the early 2000s, online platforms were used in this manner to link old maps with historical geographic information and pursue historical GIS projects aimed at aggregating massive amounts of documents, materials, and data.
Using the knowledge accumulated thus far, GIS is now being utilized in the scientific research on spatial information associated with the geographic distribution of all past phenomena, while comprehensively considering traditional research on map history and historical geography that takes into account historic backgrounds. As a result, we have seen an increase in the sophistication of Historical GIS research (Hirai et al., 2014).
3. Approach to local learning through Historical GIS
The old maps made available to the public by Historical GIS projects have also contributed to initiatives aimed at local learning. For example, the online map system of the Tokushima Castle Museum, "A Historical Stroll Through Castle Town Tokushima," makes it possible to switch between the old map and the current map; this system was publicly released to impart local learning.
Old maps include a wealth of historical records, particularly spatial information, and it is relatively easy to integrate this information into online maps. Therefore, they are used as tools to gain an understanding of local regions based on comparisons between the present and the past data.
4. Conclusion
This report provided an overview of the trends observed in Historical GIS research and established that the discipline has developed to the point where its results are now being applied to studies based on local communities. Although Historical GIS research is one of the many fields that uses historical datasets, the use of GIS as a primary research tool renders it a rare field that is capable of constantly updating itself with the latest science and technology. This characteristic implies that GIS can not only provide academic contributions to adjacent disciplines, but also be utilized in a wide variety of applications that facilitate community research.
Works cited
・A Vision of Britain Through Time, https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/. Accessed February 15, 2021.
・Old Maps Online, https://www.oldmapsonline.org/. Accessed February 15, 2021.
・Hirai, Shogo, Susumu Asato, and Makoto Watanabe, eds. "GIS Analysis of Early Modern Survey Drawings: Local Developments," Kokon Shoin, Tokyo, January 2014.
・Tokugawa Castle Museum, "A Historical Stroll Through Castle Town Tokushima."
https://www.city.tokushima.tokushima.jp/johaku/rekishisanpo.html. Accessed February 15, 2021.