Real-time with deck.gl, mapping with SQL & powering net zero
Global Flight Paths in deck.gl, by Felix Palmer.

Real-time with deck.gl, mapping with SQL & powering net zero

Welcome to Spatial Perspectives! Your monthly bite-sized newsletter for all things Spatial Data Science.

SQL beyond data management

While SQL is popular for data management - and often thought to be the only use - it has far wider applications such as data visualization and analysis.

#Spatial SQL is an extension of SQL which lets you manage, analyze & visualize geospatial data all within the same data warehouse. As an interoperable language, you’re able to execute Spatial SQL within the same environment as your data, removing the data silos that occur within organizations with legacy GIS systems.

A dot density map with two maps side by side. The first map (orange, on the left) illustrates the results of the standard dot density creation, whilst the second map (blue) illustrates a dasymetric dot density map, where locations are placed only inside buildings.
A dot density map of the number of residents with a bachelor's degree in Washington, D.C., by Helen McKenzie

Check out the blog on 5 maps you didn’t know you could create with SQL by Helen McKenzie on how you can easily use SQL to create stunning spatial data visualizations, from dasymetric to dot density maps. Don’t forget you try for yourself with a free two-week CARTO trial.

Mapping a net zero future

According to the UN, “energy is at the heart of the climate challenge - and key to the solution.” Accelerating the renewable energy transition is crucial to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and reach the global goal of net zero by 2050, with wind power a key part of this.

When it comes to wind energy, spatial analysts are faced with a contradicting challenge: where? Cleaner energy sources such as wind farms need to be remote but not too remote; they require ample power and transport infrastructure but need to avoid residential areas. Optimal sites with high speed winds are also commonly found in upland areas of ecological importance.?

A map of Washington D.C. in the United States indicating the ranked criteria for identifying wind farm locations. It is a blue/green heatmap identifying the optimal sites.
Ranked input variables for wind turbine Site Selection, by Helen McKenzie.

In this guide, learn how #SpatialAnalysis techniques & data can help identify prime locations for renewable energy and meet these criteria.

Map of the month

March’s winner is Felix Palmer ’s map of global flight paths created in #deckgl, a map highlighting cities where a plane has passed overhead in the last hour.?

Deck.gl is an open-source rendering technology enabling smooth, scalable visualizations at any resolution - accessible via the submodule:

@deck.gl/carto        

Extensions are a powerful feature of deck.gl, as they extend core layers with new functions. Here, Felix used the MaskExtension which allows you to use one layer to mask the visibility of another layer(s). The map below is a great example, displaying how masking can be dynamic as it updates on every frame as the planes move. In effect, this is performing a real-time geospatial join operation, something that is not often possible in other visualization frameworks.

A dark global map, with different points highlighting where flights have passed over cities.
Global flights highlighting cities where planes have passed, by Felix Palmer

Take a look at the code for this map here or check out the library of Layers available through the latest release of deck.gl.?

Tips to become a Spatial Data Scientist

Every edition we ask one of our experts for their top tip on carving out your career as a Spatial Data Scientist. Lucía García-Duarte Sáenz shares some advice for those starting out in Data Science.

No alt text provided for this image
Lucía García-Duarte, Data Scientist at CARTO
“When you start pursuing a career in Data Science, it is common to come across a problem you don’t know how to solve. Of course, you must be curious and proactive, and do your research to find the right solutions, but sharing ideas with other professionals will help you a lot. There is so much you can learn from experienced people.”

Are you looking to meet other professionals in the Data Science & #GIS field? Sign up here to get your ticket for the Spatial Data Science Conference in London on May 18th, with technical workshops running on the 17th.

A blue poster of with "Spatial Data Science Conference, London, May 18th. Royal Geographical Society."? A neon green globe with a pin on London is in the bottom left corner, and #SDSC23 is in the top left corner.
Join us at #SDSC23 London, May 17th & 18th

Coffee break content

Feel like you’re reading the same things over? Maybe you have a case of déjà brew… bad dad jokes aside, here are some reads to change up your morning routine:

On the road!

Where will the maps take us? Come and join the team at these upcoming events:

CHESTER SWANSON SR.

Realtor Associate @ Next Trend Realty LLC | HAR REALTOR, IRS Tax Preparer

2 年

Thanks for sharing.

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