Sustainable development mapping at multiple scales: 360 cameras for spatial data collection extraction and geovisualization
Britta Ricker
ICC2025 Workshop on Multiscale Cartography and Sustainability
(install the YouTube app on your phone! Have your phone ready for QR codes)
Sustainable Development is complex
Different decision-making needs at different scales.
Different tools to collect data.
Same tool at different scales
Geovisualization
often a map
Geodata
User Interface/
Experience (UI/UX)
Advisor
Interaction
Maps form narratives
Space
(Neutral)
Place
(Care)
Sustainability Communication
climate change communication is shaped by our different experiences, mental and cultural models, and underlying values and worldviews
Let's look around one of these tropical dry forests from the ground: in place.
360 camera - Add context
Can be used for:
Geovisualization
- Images
- Videos
Spatial Data
Data Extraction
examples from literature
Visual imagery and the informal city: examining 360-degree imaging technologies for informal settlement representation (Cinnamon 2024)
Data Sharing and Data Extraction More examples from literature
d’Andrimont, R., Yordanov, M., Lemoine, G., Yoong, J., Nikel, K., & van der Velde, M. (2018). Crowdsourced Street-Level Imagery as a Potential Source of In-Situ Data for Crop Monitoring. Land. https://doi.org/10.3390/land7040127
https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/2041-210X.14472
1
Figural Space
smaller than the body, directly perceived from one place without locomotion
3
Environmental Space
larger than the body, require integration of information over time, buildings, neighborhoods, cities.
2
4
Geographical Space
much larger than the body, cannot be apprehended directly through locomotion, must be learned via symbolic representations - such as maps or models
Scale and Multiple Psychologies of Space
(Montello 1991)
Vista Space
larger than the body but can be visually apprehended from a single space without locomotion
Conceptual Framework
applied to 360 imagery
Educating, informing, warning, persuading, mobilizing and solving this critical problem.
1
Sustainability Communication
Human perception, thought, behavior in relationship to space/place (cognitive maps, spatial cognition)
2
Psychologies of Space
User draws conclusions based on interaction with the map
3
Geovisualization
4. Geographic Space
much larger than the body
Requires symbolic representation such as maps
Mappy VR A Frame Examples
1. Figural space
reveals relationships between objects
"fits in your hand"
may show landmarks in distance - configuration of space
Possibilities with
360 camera
abstract
alternative perspectives
2. Vista Space - using animation (and music)
Social Media Examples
Watch on your own - narrative with animation
Does the animation make the viewer sick?
Virtual field trips - professional example
2. Vista space
Inspire viewer to Care --> SD Communication
Appeal to emotion
Evokes empathy
Understanding
Localized narratives
different type of
UI/geoviz
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<title>360° Image</title>
<meta name="description" content="360° Image - A-Frame">
<script src="https://aframe.io/releases/0.8.0/aframe.min.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
<a-scene>
<a-sky src="imgs/zuid_ken_sm.jpg" rotation="0 -130 0"></a-sky>
<a-text font="kelsonsans" value="Scottish Highlanders" width="6" position="-2.5 0.25 -1.5"
rotation="0 15 0"></a-text>
</a-scene>
</body>
</html>AI edited example
Advertisement for
GSS consultancy Project Aruba course
Unedited 360
In-situ lecture with Eric Mijts
interactive example
Clip - reframe images
Automat the process from publically available 360 images Figural space
3./4. Geographic/Environmental Space
360 image Data Extraction and Analysis
extract data from multiple 360 images
Analyze or classify images
Aggregate to understand geographic space
3. Environmental Space
picture the landscape
movement builds understanding the configuration of a landscape with movement (Nanna Verhoeff)
360 video showing movement - bike video
Zuid Kennemerland
"Street View"
Find existing open source 360 imagery
or upload yours
Summary
| Scale | Description | User interface | Communication Aim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Figural | smaller than body | Picture - printed map | picture the phenomenon |
| Vista | larger than body -single vantage point | 360 interactive image/video | understand spatial relationships |
| Environmental | Locomotion - city, park | video - animations -overhead view | configuration |
| Geographic | Continental | extract data + map | magnitute |
Hardware
Geographic Data
Geographic
User Interface
Video/Photo
2D Frame
360 image
Individual photos
animation/videos
thematic maps
(mobile) Augmented Reality
Virtual Reality
Join us in Aruba for the Cartography and Sustainable Development Workshop
Monday Jan 26th- Wed Jan 28th 2026
