Cartographic
Modeling Laboratory History
The Cartographic Modeling Lab specializes in Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) and spatial research. We use these tools to pursue a threefold
agenda that balances research, urban and social policy analysis and opportunities
for teaching and training. While the methods of the Lab can be applied to
almost any jurisdiction, the CML maintains a special focus on Philadelphia.
The CML brings together faculty members and students across disciplines to
collaborate on urban and social policy projects. The CML supports the research
of principal investigators from across the University of Pennsylvania with
its hardware and software investments as well as the GIS, application development
and spatial analysis expertise. The Lab is primarily funded through research
grants from foundations and public institutions.
The Cartographic Modeling Lab is a joint venture of the School of Design and
the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.
Research
The CML creates information systems and online mapping applications with the
special expertise in working with administrative records. The databases developed
to carry out these projects also support a broad academic research agenda.
Recent projects include:
Urban and Social Policy Analysis
(Palm Beach County & Philadelphia)
The CML is constantly seeking new ways to use GIS and spatial analysis to
help respond to current urban and social problems in Philadelphia.
Recent clients include:
Teaching & Training
(affordable housing study)
(early childhood education initiatives)
(Early to Rise mapping)
CML faculty and staff teach undergraduate and graduate-level GIS courses
in both spring and fall terms (see GIS
Courses at Penn). In addition, the CML hires students for part-time work
in data management, community outreach, web development and project management.
Graduate and undergraduate students engaged in GIS-related research are encouraged
to apply to become CML Research Associates.
Senior Staff
A group of City and Regional Planning doctoral students started the lab in 1990
under the leadership of Dr. C. Dana Tomlin, Professor of Landscape Architecture.
Dr. Tomlin is noted for developing map algebra, a language that allows conventional
algebraic operations to be used in a series of equations involving different
variables represented in map layers.
Dr. Dennis Culhane, an associate professor at the School of Social Policy and Practice,
was named Faculty co-Director after he became involved in the CML in 1995 through
the Early Warning Information System (EWIS) project for New York City. Dr. Culhane
is a nationally recognized researcher in the field of homelessness and an early
innovator in the use of administrative records for research and policy analysis
purposes.
Marlen Kokaz brings seven years of public and private sector GIS experience
to the CML. Her previous experience includes serving as GIS Analyst for Urban
Engineers Inc., a private engineering consulting firm, and as a Transportation
Planner at the Kansas City Metropolitan Planning Organization, the regional
planning entity for eight counties in Kansas and Missouri. Ms. Kokaz has a BA
from Mimar Sinan University in Istanbul, Turkey, a Master of Regional Planning
from Cornell University and a Master of Science from the University of Kansas.
Ping Qin is the CML's Database Administrator. Before joining the lab,
Mr. Qin worked as a GIS Programmer and an Analyst in private industry and government
agencies. He received a master's degree in Remote Sensing and did graduate work
in Software Engineering at West Virginia University.
Staff and Contact Information
CML Alumni / CML History / Publications
© 2004 Cartographic Modeling Laboratory
|
 |
||||||||||||
