Progress So far, we have gathered high-resolution 1930s maps of Beijing and successfully aligned them with modern coordinates. I built a georeferenced web map using ArcGIS (view our base map layer here). To figure out the best way to display this, I talked with Baird about presentation styles. He told us that directly comparing the past and present would be a really good approach. We combined his advice with Austin’s idea to use a sliding screen feature. Because of their help, we built our final presentation shell using an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap.
Problems (and proposed solutions) The biggest issue we have run into is that I currently do not have access to the Carleton archives to get the specific historical photos of Carls in Beijing. This makes it impossible to plot his exact walking route right now. Proposed Solution: We are reaching out to the library archivists to see if they can send us digital copies. If we cannot get access to Carl’s specific photos in time, our backup plan is to use open-source, public domain 1930s photos of Beijing to show general urban changes instead of one specific person’s route.
Tools and techniques
- AllMaps: We used this to warp our historical map. Because the old map is not perfectly scaled, we used a Thin-Plate Spline transformation to match it to modern streets.
- ArcGIS StoryMaps: We are using the swipe block, which let the user\ drag a slider left and right to peel back the 1930s map and reveal the modern city underneath.
Deliverables
- Week 8: Build the base map layers and set up the StoryMap shell. (Completed)
- Week 9: Get archive access (or find backup photos), drop the pins on the map, and write the historical text.
- Week 10: Final review and publish the project. Despite the archive issue, our timeline is still completely on track!
Citations and links
- Our StoryMap Presentation: https://arcg.is/y5zmK2
- Our Base Web Map: https://arcg.is/CeHP11
- Historical maps sourced via wikimedia then through internet archive to produce in IIIF
Personal Statement Jason: For my contribution, I focused entirely on the technical GIS work. I figured out how to use AllMaps to properly warp the historical map to modern coordinates. After that, I imported the tile layers into ArcGIS Online and built the actual StoryMap framework, including setting up the swipe tool so the maps overlap perfectly.
Personal Statement Haochen: I focused on collecting map as well as old photographs for the city. And also helped with overlapping two maps.
This is a great project idea. I like how you will be combining a Carleton project with all the quality details that come from their experience abroad. The timeline also works out very well for you, the 1930s was a long time ago and throughout this project we will get a chance to see what China looked like all the way back then as China is has been one of the most advanced countries for such a long time. I think if you can get access to some of the archives things will go very well for you. Good luck!
I love this project! It requires a lot of technical knowledge or the ArcGIS front so I admire your bravery for that as well. It sounds like you guys have been putting in the work with asking for advice and finding materials that connect your topic to Carleton. Hope you will be able to find photos of Carls in Beijing!
Jason, I really like your group’s project idea so far! It is definitely unique, which will make it stand out next to many Carleton-based projects. It is also a super creative way to still incorporate Carleton archives through the experiences lived by former Carls! I hope you guys can find those photos, because that will make for a really interesting project. Using ArcGIS is also a very impressive strategy, and I am excited to see the final results from your group in the coming weeks.
Cool idea and setup! I really like how you incorporate comparison of past and present along with using your mapping skills from earlier this term. How do you guys plan to design your website? What changes between old and current Beijing are you planning on illustrating?