For our report, we analyzed the historical and the current distribution of rivers within the City of Vancouver. We applied the ArcGIS as our main methodology to conduct the study on the local basin. The functions we used for the map-making is included but not limit to intersect, query(reclassify), project, clip, buffer etc. In order to addressed the issues of “disappear” streams in Vancouver, we compare the distribution of previous streams from 1880 to 1920 with the existing (daylighting) streams today. The report is emphasized on zoning practice and road network and their impact on the urban basin. We found that large portion of the original landmass has zoned into residential usage, especially the prevailing single housing development in the last century. River and streams thus receded from the ground, the surviving streams are mostly running through underground culverts, the few streams are remaining in the daylight also receiving significant pressure due to the complicated land uses of their surroundings. Later, the case study focus at Salish Creek demonstrate the above findings comprehensively. Further research is required to examine the feasibility of rehabilitation on the old streams.
During the map-making, each of the team members all attend to computer labs regularly and we spent extra time after class to make sure we finished the maps in advance in order to have more time to composite the report analysis. Instead of making the task separately, we had done in collaboration which is actual more efficient way because it avoids inconsistence in the map design and misunderstood from each other’s. For the written report, we divided the task for each individual group members. One of the teammate (Qingyang) has studies the Salish Stream in the Pacific Spirit Park and we were all agreed that is a good idea to including a specific case study which help readers to forge a better understand by get into specific example.
We also encounter some difficulties and uncertainties during the research stage. It is quite hard to find digitalized data for the old streams in Vancouver since we were looking at the historical data from late 19th century to early 20th century before the population booming in the city. On another hand, there aren’t much running streams in Vancouver today, so information on the current streams distributions is very scarce either. In addition, the old stream layer does not provide the current conditions of the previous streams. We only not they are buried underground but some might transformed into sewage conduits others might completed filled up. These information are important for examine the feasibility of the restoration on the old streams as I noted in the further study section.
Overall, the course final project is a great opportunity to apply various skillsets that we had learned from class. Throughout the class I became familiar with the handling ArcGIS which is an essential tool for spatial analysis in different careers. The competence of using and understood the software functioning will serve as an important building block to my academic experiences in pursuing of geography and planning realm.
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Project Copy: