Semantic Distances for Technology Landscape Visualization

This paper presents a novel approach to the visualization and subsequent elucidation of research domains in science and technology. The proposed methodology is based on the use of bibliometrics; i.e., analysis is conducted using information regarding trends and patterns of publication rather than the contents of these publications. In particular, we explore the use of term co-occurence frequencies as an indicator of the semantic closeness between pairs of words or phrases. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, a case study on renewable energy technologies is conducted, where the above techniques are used to visualize the interrelationships within a collection of energy-related keywords. As these are regarded as manifestations of the underlying research topics, we contend that the proposed visualizations can be interpreted as representations of the underlying technology landscape. These techniques have many potential applications, but one interesting challenge in which we are particularly interested is the mapping and subsequent prediction of future developments in the technological fields being studied.The research described in this paper was funded by the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MIST)

Landscape Visualization: Influence on Engagement for Climate Resilience

Research suggests an “Adaptation Deficit” exists in the realm of climate change mitigation and adaptation. There is a lack of climate adaptation goals, policies and projects implemented at the local level. Climate resilience relies on effective public engagement to ensure implementation. This type of engagement includes: (1) being aware of the issue and solutions; (2) feeling concerned about the problem; and (3) taking action. This research explores the impact of in situ 3D landscape visualization coupled with meaningful dialogue, on public engagement for climate change resilience. A mixed methods approach was used to undertake this research study using landscape visualization in an experiential outdoor setting in San Mateo County, California. San Mateo County was chosen as an optimal site for this research because of efforts underway to plan and prepare for sea level rise across the region. Since the research was part of a larger project with numerous stakeholders, many characteristics of Action Research (AR) were incorporated into the research design. This included working with local, regional, state and federal stakeholders to choose the exact site location, target audience, and project objectives to be accomplished from the research study. The overall goal of the project was to increase community concern about sea level rise and prompt target audience members to take an active role in their community on climate change adaptation. The research component of the project tested the use of landscape visualization to gauge impacts on concern and engagement levels, along with correlations between age, concern and engagement. The landscape visualization process used 3D imagery loaded into two viewfinders, called OWLS, that depicted current and future sea-level rise scenarios along with two possible solutions for Coyote Beach recreational area. Findings indicate that landscape visualization increases concern levels in participants that harbor low to no concern about existing sea-level rise, high tides, and storms. There was a statistically significant relationship between high concern levels and higher levels of engagement on the issue of climate adaptation. Lastly, data were collected to understand barriers to climate change engagement and adaptation and consider solutions that could overcome specific barriers identified. Using visual imagery along with meaningful dialogue allowed for a deep exploration of these barriers and solutions to be explored. Further research is needed to further test the application of landscape visualization along with meaningful dialogue on the issue of climate change in other locations, and to explore applicability in different settings and with different audiences

Plan and Design Together – Just a Vision?

Landscape visualization is a representation of the real world that can be displayed as 3D simulations with various levels of realism (Schroth, 2010). Landscape visualization may demonstrate past, present conditions or future scenarios (Lewis et al., 2005). Therefore, it can be said that landscape visualization gives a chance to display scenes that are non-existent (e.g. current state visualization of altered land use, possible future design scenarios). It can be represented as static, animated or interactive scenes (Sheppard and Salter, 2004) and immersive or outside of the context (Danahy, 2001; Bishop and Lange, 2005). Human perception towards to 3D visualizations has been studied in recent years by comparing visualization and its effectiveness (Campbell and Salter, 2004; Lange, 1994; Zube et al. 1987). According to comparisons made between visualizations and realism, computer generated environments still need to be developed in order to demonstrate the high degree of realism (Bishop and Rohrmann, 2003). There have been studies investigating various degrees of realism depicted in images, especially in regard to vegetation and moving objects within the virtual environment. However, further study is required for future projects to improve the degrees of realism, raise awareness and stimulate public participation. In the field of landscape architecture, virtual reality and internet-based landscape visualization technologies (Lange, 2001) and public participation during the decision- making and design process (Saleh and Nassar, 2011) gained rising recognition over the last decade. Development in 3D landscape visualization, now, allows using mobile devices as a valuable tool in landscape design, planning and management (Lange, 2011). There is a possibility that mobile devices can be the standard method for planning and design processes (Lange, 2011). This paper focuses on the use of interactive 3D visualisation of an urban park to enhance public participation during the planning and decision-making process using mobile devices. The work presented in this paper is part of the EU Project Value+ a collaborative INTERREG IVB project. Unique to the kind of project, the research is linked to a real world investment site. Edward Street Park in the city centre of Sheffield is one of the investment sites in the INTERREG project

Pathways to the Future: Community Dialogues on Adaptive Environmental Management Through Scenario Projection in Google Maps

This paper presents research on the potential of interactive media for regional community dialogues on future uncertainties and complexities in coupled human and natural systems. More adaptive perspectives on natural resources management are needed to respond to rapid environmental and social change. Scenarios are a useful tool for participatory explorations of future issues that are high on uncertainties and complexities. We explore how scenarios can bank on the communicatory effectiveness of interactive media to increase their impact. We present a method, the Scenario Communities project, currently in testing phase, that combines strategies from serious gaming, landscape visualization and web 2.0 technology. We also present a number of visual tests that we use to analyse the effects of the scenario communication

Neuro-Visualizer: An Auto-encoder-based Loss Landscape Visualization Method

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in visualizing the loss landscape of neural networks. Linear landscape visualization methods, such as principal component analysis, have become widely used as they intuitively help researchers study neural networks and their training process. However, these linear methods suffer from limitations and drawbacks due to their lack of flexibility and low fidelity at representing the high dimensional landscape. In this paper, we present a novel auto-encoder-based non-linear landscape visualization method called Neuro-Visualizer that addresses these shortcoming and provides useful insights about neural network loss landscapes. To demonstrate its potential, we run experiments on a variety of problems in two separate applications of knowledge-guided machine learning (KGML). Our findings show that Neuro-Visualizer outperforms other linear and non-linear baselines and helps corroborate, and sometime challenge, claims proposed by machine learning community. All code and data used in the experiments of this paper are available at an anonymous link https://anonymous.4open.science/r/NeuroVisualizer-FDD

Landscapes and Landforms of Terrestrial and Marine Areas: A Way Forward

The article introduces the aims and topics of the Special Issue 'Landscapes and Landforms of Terrestrial and Marine Areas' showing a variety of approaches and techniques used to integrate terrestrial and marine spatial datasets. The outcomes not only show how innovative and advanced geomorphological mapping techniques can support a more informed sustainable management of coastal environments, but also pave the way for other studies that rely on an improved efficiency in providing 3D landscape visualization from remote multisource and multiscale data

Communicating spatial planning decisions at the landscape and farm level with landscape visualization

Landscape visualizations have the potential to support participatory environmental planning at different spatial scales and decision levels from international to farm level. However, it is yet unclear what specific demands are relevant for visualization on the different decision levels. In this context more knowledge is needed about visualization objectives and the respective tasks, intended effects and suitable techniques for the specific levels. Especially the farm level has been neglected in research, although farmers make many decisions that affects public interests in the visual landscape. Farmers need to communicate these decisions to the public in an understandable way. The question of how visualization can support participation in the planning process at the municipal level is examined by drawing on the findings of the Interactive Landscape Plan Koenigslutter, Germany (IALP) about the preferences and reactions of citizens to visualizations used in the landscape planning process at the local decision level. On this basis, we examined the applicability and differences of the findings for the farm level. Furthermore, in order to explore visualization opportunities at the farm scale, the farm management system MANUELA was used as an example of an information platform that could serve as a basis for farm scale visualizations. By transferring landscape planning results to the farm level, we developed recommentations about the application of visualization, intended effects and appropriate techniques at the farm scale. The general findings for the municipal level show that visualization can improve participation by providing participants with a common image of the planning proposals for discussion and collaborative decisions. Different visualization methods offer different capabilities for supporting participation in the different planning phases. At the farm scale, 2D visualizations and diagrams are often sufficient to communicate information to customers about farm performance for providing ecosystem services. They may consist of maps and supporting information that is easily generated from GIS data. However, for a higher (more interactive) level of communication and participation activities, such as discussions with affected neighbors about land use changes or the integration of citizens' proposals, more sophisticated visualization techniques would be required. Visualization techniques are needed that farmers can use to easily simulate visual impacts of land use changes at the landscape scale