A Mapping Interface for UrbanSim and OPUS
Justin Meyer
Tuesday 6/2, Allen Center 128, 1:30-2:20.
The Open Platform for Urban Simulation (OPUS) allows for the visualization of simulation indicators by producing a map image colored by region using a color ramp which correlates specific indicator values to specific colors. Originally, the color coding was implemented using matplotlib, a python 2D plotting library, to create raster-based map images colored using a simple color ramp with linear scaling. This system did not allow for map customizability and produced maps that could be visually difficult to interpret.
Matplotlib has been replaced with mapnik, a toolkit for developing mapping applications to use shapefiles to create cleaner maps with vector-based graphics, implement map customizability options for the colors, scaling types, and image sizes, create animated maps, and allow for future development to lead to map interactivity features.
In the presentation, I plan on discussing each of the map features, performing the example walk-throughs for creating mapnik maps that are included in the user’s guide, and also explaining (at the high level) how the mapnik features were implemented.