Combining Digital and Traditional Visualisation Techniques in Community-Based Planning and Design

Public participation is a key component in environmental planning and design. Yet too often, architects and planners are not equipped with effective tools and visualisation techniques to generate meaningful public input. Architects and planners are increasingly turning to computer technology; computer imaging can be used to support exploration of alternatives by enabling community members to visualise opportunities and scenarios before committing to a course of action (McClure, 1997). This paper explains how a Geographic Information System (GIS) and an artist played critical roles in a participatory planning process in Chicago's Pilsen neighbourhood. The GIS provided community leaders, planners, architects and designers with an interactive visualisation of the neighbourhood context. It also provided examples of design prototypes in relation to their geographic context. The artist, on the other hand, translated neighbourhood residents' ideas into quick sketches, merging their ideas and thoughts into a shared neighbourhood vision. Both of these elements – the GIS and the human artist – provided a means for residents to visualise past, present, and future neighbourhood conditions, enabling them to have a greater voice in the design of their neighbourhood. Our findings suggest that effective visualisation may be achieved through combining traditional and computerised visualisation tools, and that effective visualisation could assist in bridging the gap between professional designers and non-designers.     

Designing in between Local Government and the Public – Using Institutional Analysis in Interventions on Civic Infrastructures

Adapting and changing the systems and technologies involved in civic engagement with local government is among the key challenges of collaborative technologies for political participation. In such contexts, both existing sets of technologies and ingrained, often formalised practices, the ‘rules of the game’, constrain any opportunity for intervention. Additionally, ‘civic’ and expert groups with conflicting agendas and divergent demands on public choices assert their influence in these transformation programmes. The article argues that established methods in collaborative systems design have thus far overlooked the role of recurring actions involved in public participation as well as the formal rules and ingrained practices that construct them. Yet, such patterns present a valuable resource for design interventions. Thus, based on an institutional approach, the article outlines a methodology for requirement gathering by mapping the relations of actors, software and their use along identifiable action situations. The method called for a dialogue between socio-technical-spatial contexts of public service and specific actions taking place within it. Drawing on a case of organising civic engagement in urban planning, the article discusses how to find and trace existing practices across social settings, information technologies and material contexts where engagements take place. The approach underscores the existing institutional contexts in inspiring, opening and constraining the opportunities to support ‘civics’.     

Designing trust in the Internet services

Being a supersophisticated system, the Internet not only gives unquestionable benefits but also brings some problems. These problems are caused by the transparency of the network space for creators and its nontransparency for general users, who experience processing complexity, lack of privacy, and fear of making a mistake. Such problems give grounds for questioning whether users can trust Internet services. We analyze graphic design and public relations (PR) as tools used to generate trust in Internet services under both the circumstances of transparency and nontransparency of the Internet. Our analysis shows that visual, reputational, and contextual factors have crucial importance in generating trust in Internet services under the circumstances of transparency and nontransparency of the network space; graphic design and PR play a critical role. Interactive design develops network images that produce the initial impression and lay the foundation for users’ trust (or lack of trust) in network resources (the perceptual and emotional level). PR tools are used to complete the process of generating trust by turning the initial impression into such qualitative characteristics as goodwill and information transparency with regard to status and social context (the rational level). Such combined application of graphic design and PR tools leads to harmonization of the network environment and generates users’ trust in Internet services.     

Combining interactivity and improved layout while creating educational software for the Web

Two major attributes influence a project aimed at developing educational software: user interactivity and graphic design. These two attributes are not easily found within the same development tool. Moreover, sometimes the development tool is either very expensive to acquire or too difficult to use. This article aims to present a solution to the creation of educational development tools which emphasize the conjunction between interactivity and graphic design. The authors propose a methodology based on Web technology and an association between the Java programming language and the authoring tool Flash. In addition to fostering interactivity, Java offers development packages at no cost. The authoring software Flash is inexpensive and allows the creation of finely crafted Web pages with graphic animations and sound editing. This article describes the methodology that enables the association between Java and Flash components. This methodology was conceived during the development of a structural analysis educational software product specially geared to undergraduate engineering students. In order to ensure the understanding of our proposal, a specific example was created, along with sample pages that illustrate this methodology.     

基于当代大学生特点的图学教学资源建设研究

随着时代的发展,计算机、网络、移动设备等成为学生获取知识的重要途径。为 适应时代发展需求,北京建筑大学针对当代大学生特点,将传统教学手段与网络媒体相结合, 课堂教学与课外延续拓展相结合,教学内容与时代发展相结合,在课堂内外开展多项图学教学 资源建设,为学生创造利用多样化教学资源进行学习的氛围,充分激发其对课程的学习兴趣。 此外,通过各种图学资源建设的参与实践,使学生在提高课程学习效果的同时,综合能力也得 到了有效提升。     

Hypermedia Design Methodology in World Wide Web Applications

One approach to instruction based on a "learner-centered" view of learning is to provide rich environments in which learners can actually build their own knowledge. Therefore only educational software, carefully designed, can improve the efficiency of courseware. Within this framework, the World Wide Web provides a unique support for course material. Using a generalized hypermedia instructional design methodology, we integrated a hypermedia instructional module with simulation additional tools into an academic information system. This academic information system is a computer-supported environment in which collaborative discourse is the primary medium for knowledge advancement in the area of power electronics. It can be explored by learners in that they have both contextual access to knowledge displayed in a hypertext format and access to real experiences by means of simulation. In this article, we present an object-orientated approach that integrates the complete graphic user interface development.     

Knowledge visualization: A new framework for interactive graphic interface design

Diagrams communicate massive amounts of information at a glance. Complex domains can be simplified and extended with diagrammatic notations. Computational systems can certainly benefit from the use of diagrams. However, graphic interfaces are difficult and time consuming to write. We need a way of shortening the graphic-interface building cycle so that it is relatively easy and fast to add a graphic interface to any application that may benefit from it.A general-purpose, graphic-interface-building tool kit that a designer or user, not a programmer, can use to design and attach graphic interfaces to applications can greatly speed up and lower the costs of adding graphics to systems. In this paper, I describe a new framework for interactive graphic interface design. The framework will enable graphic-interface-building tools which are general purpose, inter-active, and application-specific.The framework consists of a taxonomy (ontology) of visual properties that span sub-object properties, full objects, and the relationships between objects. The taxonomy forms a skeleton on which to hang methods for manipulating these visual properties, objects, relations, and composites. The methods consist of the generation of prototypes, the recognition of properties in objects, and mouse manipulation functions for modifying properties in an object. Further characteristics of the framework are that the properties are composable, that objects can be explicitly, incrementally described through repeated composition and application of recognition methods, and that the composition of properties to form more fully described and more complex objects is recursive. This makes the framework and the objects within it quite flexible, incremental, uniform, and modular.     

The usefulness of a Web-based Participatory Planning Support System in Wuhan,China

Public participation in urban planning has become a legal requirement in China since the 2008 Urban and Rural Planning Law prescribed to collect the opinions of the public in preparing plans. The way in which this participation is organized is left to local governments and current practices are still in a stage of experimentation. Drawing on Western experience various participatory tools have been explored, including in some instances Web-based planning support systems (PSS). The current literature has identified several potentials and shortcomings in the performance of PSS that define their usefulness. However, these have been identified in the context of democratic societies and communicative planning paradigms. To what extent do these potentials and shortcomings also pertain to the emerging practice in China? This paper aims to widen the understanding of the usefulness of Web-based PSS when these are applied in a Chinese context. To do so, the paper first presents a conceptual framework that divides usefulness into utility and usability, and thereafter, it analyzes the “East Lake greenway planning project” in Wuhan. The results show that the Wuhan PSS provides new functionalities in eliciting ideas from independent citizens in the early stage of the planning process. In terms of usability, the system meets many of the criteria, but requires a high level of computer experience and domain knowledge restricting its use to “professional citizens”. From the point of view of western planners this would seriously limit the usefulness as a participatory tool, but it is legitimate in China. Given the low level of computer literacy, limited access to the internet and a lacking tradition of public involvement in state affairs, it is nevertheless clear that there is a need to improve Web-based PSS and combine them with other participatory methods, both online and offline, to facilitate the participation of a diverse group of target users.     

The effects of web accessibility certification on the perception of companies’ corporate social responsibility

Universal Access in the Information Society - While websites are generally effective communication tools for information sharing, marketing, public relations, etc., people with disabilities and...     

Automated process planning method to machine A B-Spline free-form feature on a mill–turn center

In this paper, we present a methodology for automating the process planning and NC code generation for a widely encountered class of free-form features that can be machined on a 3-axis mill–turn center. The free-form feature family that is considered is that of extruded protrusions whose cross-section is a closed, periodic B-Spline curve. In this methodology, for machining a part with B-Spline protrusion located at the free end, the part is first rough turned to the maximum profile diameter of the B-Spline, followed by rough profile cutting and finish profiling with axially mounted end mill tools. The identification and sequencing of machining volumes is completely automated, as is the generation of actual NC code. The approach supports both convex and non-convex profiles. In the case of non-convex profiles, the process planning algorithm ensures that there is no gouging of the work piece by the tool. The algorithm also identifies when sections of the tool path lie outside the work piece and utilizes rapid traverses in these regions to reduce cutting time. This methodology presents an integrated turn–mill process planning where by making the process fully automated from design with no user intervention making the overall process planning efficient. The algorithm was tested on several examples and test parts using the unmodified NC code obtained from the implementation were run on a Moriseiki mill–turn center. The parts that were produced met the dimensional specifications of the desired part.     

A unified formal basis for the CASE tools system

XYZ system is a CASE tools system based on a temporal logic language XYZ/E which can represent every essential feature of conventional HLL's (sequential or concurrent), specifications of different levels, production rules, operational semantics of graphic languages in a uniform framework. With this formal language as the common basis, all the CASE tools including various kinds of graphic tools for distributed process, concurrent programs with phased memory and sequential programs, tools for verification, rapid-prototyping, language transformation, and module management can be connected freely to form more sophisticated and integrated systems.     

School location methodology in urban areas of developing countries

This study is concerned with the location of primary public schools. The public system should have the capacity to satisfy all the demand, although students may choose between public and private schools if they can afford the corresponding costs. A number of factors, such as questionable education quality, limited capacity, poor location and social preferences, secure a participation of about 30% to the private school system. The purpose of this study is both the evaluation of the existing public school network and a relocation proposal. The result of the former was the identification of areas with shortage and excess in school offer. The latter suggests school relocation using capacitated and uncapacitated models. ArcView, a software of the geographic information system (GIS) family, was employed, allowing the efficient handling of large problems and improving the presentation and evaluation of the findings. This methodology was applied to the primary public school network in the area of Vitoria, a state capital located in the southeast region of Brazil with about 300,000 inhabitants. Finally, the practical use of this study and its importance for planning purposes are discussed.     

A theory of online learning as online participation

In this paper, an initial theory of online learning as online participation is suggested. It is argued that online learner participation (1) is a complex process of taking part and maintaining relations with others, (2) is supported by physical and psychological tools, (3) is not synonymous with talking or writing, and (4) is supported by all kinds of engaging activities. Participation and learning are argued to be inseparable and jointly constituting. The implication of the theory is straightforward: If we want to enhance online learning, we need to enhance online learner participation.     

探索性分析建模

探索性分析方法是Rand公司在战略分析中总结出的一种定量系统分析方法,是进行高层策略分析的重要方法。探索性分析建模是探索性分析方法的关键技术之一,探索性分析模型是对研究问题高层抽象的低分辨率模型。一般情况下,分析模型中的结点是问题抽象中的关键变量,变量间通过有向弧来表示其依赖关系,其结构层次可以分为关系层次、函数层次和数值层次。另外为了对分析模型进行全面探索研究,要求其建模环境支持可视化建模、交互式建模语言、层次化模块化方式组织分析模型、实验设计、内嵌统计分析功能、数据可视化分析和结果数据的交互式处理与搜索。     

PROTOB: An object-oriented case tool for modelling and prototyping distributed systems

The PROTOB object-oriented methodology for the executable specification of large-scale event-driven systems is introduced and described. Two supporting features of PROTOB are also presented: the graphic and textual language that formally describes the behaviour of objects, which is based on high-level Petri nets called “PROT nets” and which is demonstrated to be more powerful than SA/RT dataflows; and a CASE environment with tools for specification, modelling, simulation and prototyping. Use of PROTOB is illustrated by discussion of the automated generation of distributed systems running on a network of VMS and UNIX computers.     

Groundwater quality management modeling using videodigitized data and interactive computer graphics

In the last few years, interactive modeling, digital cartographic analysis, and computer graphics have become important activities in many engineering and resource management organizations. Such computer-aided water resources planning systems are becoming increasingly powerful, both computationally and graphically, and are also becoming more portable and affordable. These systems will be important aids in the synthesis and analysis of resource management plans and policies. They also will provide an improved means of communicating technical data to professional engineers and planners as well as to citizen participation groups.An important component of these interactive systems will be their use of digital, color-coded mapping. Since such mapping has long been regarded as an effective means of presenting spatially- and time-variant information associated with groundwater management problems, for example, its incorporation into the digital world of computer simulation analysis is an important step towards more effective groundwater and other resource planning.This paper very briefly reviews some of our research in the development of interactive modeling-computer graphic systems applied to groundwater quality management problems, and describes the use of videodigitized maps and other images as a means of providing low-cost, cartographic information needed for effective interactive input of geographic and other model data and for the display of model results.     

Supporting participation in planning new roads by using virtual reality systems

A road planning process runs through several phases, takes several years, incorporates many decision-making procedures and includes numerous experts and interest groups from different areas. Today, Virtual Reality (VR) systems can benefit this process. By simulating different future alternatives, together with their possible environmental impact, a common understanding of the consequences of the respective alternatives can be obtained. Furthermore, since many of the models are obtainable from the Internet, a wider public can be reached already in the early phases of the planning process. The goal of the paper is to provide a better understanding of the use of VR models for supporting involvement and collaboration in the road planning process. The background data are from two large road planning projects through cultural heritage areas in Sweden. Observations on using VR models to support public participation, and facilitate communication between different interested parties, are presented. The results argue for the benefits of using VR models during the whole road planning process and shed further light on a range of social issues associated with using this technology.     

Introduction to an integrated methodology for development and implementation of enterprise information systems

An integrated methodology for successful development and implementation of enterprise information systems is developed. This paper describes the methodology and defines five components and one repository which can be customized with business scenarios and patterns according to various business environments. Five components consist of information strategy planning, economic justification and measurement, enterprise information system appraisal, package software evaluation, and unified modeling tools. They characterize the methodology through its entire road map. Also, case studies are provided to prove its practical values.     

Smart Citizens: Exploring the Tools of the Urban Bottom-Up Movement

As web technology and (big) data continue to transform how we organize ourselves, scholarly research increasingly zooms in on the socio-material conditions of citizen participation and public engagement, the objects and devices that organize publics. Where social issues may often be the driver of such public engagement, increasingly the city and, more specifically, the neighborhood itself have become a central objects connecting their inhabitants through online networks and neighborhood events. Tools and apps for citizen participation then weave together neighborhood stakeholders (e.g. inhabitants, municipal parties and entrepreneurs). This paper zooms in on a sample of 40 such tools that enable and organize bottom-up citizen participation in the city of Amsterdam. Combining a theoretical framework with content analysis, digital methods and data visualization, this paper marks the starting point of a longitudinal analysis of online tools for the urban bottom-up movement.     

Using Computational Argumentation to Support E-participation

Internet-based tools that encourage public participation in debates concerning policy issues have been recognized as a good way to engage the electorate with political issues. In addition, such systems for e-participation can gather, make available, and analyze the public's contributions to political debate. In this article we discuss a system called Parmenides, which we designed to exploit technological developments to bring democratic processes into the online world. Parmenides is primarily a forum by which government bodies can present policy proposals to the public so that users can submit their opinions on the justification presented for the particular policy. Within Parmenides, the justification for action is structured to exploit a specific representation of persuasive argument based on the use of argumentation schemes and critical questions.