Overview:
MappaGnosis specializes in providing bespoke services in almost all areas of geographical information systems. In particular, MappaGnosis welcomes contract enquiries for complex geospatial analysis, 3D modelling, wind farm site identification/assessment/EIA and GIS training. Some of the software in regular use by MappaGnosis are highlighted by the icons on the right. Contact us to discuss your requirements.
Example services include:
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- Mapping
- Scenario modelling
- Bespoke geoprocessing and data analysis
- Python geoprocessing scripts and libraries
- Independent geo-data quality assurance
- 3D landscape modelling
- Wind farm analysis (ZTV, yield analysis, shadow-flicker, radar, photomontages, etc)
- Tailored GIS training
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Previous experience:
Snapshot Profile
- Nearly 20 years experience in landscape and landscape-related research including strategic and site-specific assessments and modelling
- Over 15 years experience and training in GIS, with proficiency in the ESRI ArcGIS (v. 10.1) suite, QGIS and GRASS GIS
- Extensive experience in the creation of robust automated geoprocessing Python code libraries using both ArcPy (formerly ArcGISScripting) and Open Source libraries, especially GDAL/OGR and Shapely.
- 10 years experience in the use of geographic data for the development of 3D models e.g. animated digital models for public participation in landscape planning (PPGIS), hard-copy lenticular 3D maps and computer games.
- Extensive experience of wind farm environmental impact assessment work as an independent consultant, Head of GIS Unit at The Macaulay Institute(Aberdeen - now John Hutton Institute) and most recently as Geomatics Manager at Enertrag Ltd.
Examples of clients and services:
- Many years commercial GIS for Local Authorities and statutory bodies
- GIS support for a variety of land development and management projects.
- Development of a Decision Support Tool2 for strategic assessment of wetland areas for Scottish Borders Council.
- Development of several Decision Support Tools for potential wind farm site identification.
- Development of the ‘Virtual Surveyor’ tool to rapidly summarise data on soils, land cover, landform and land capability for agriculture/forestry.
- Analysis of nomadic herding in Turkmenistan using satellite imagery and ex-Soviet cartographic data.
- Erosion/deterioration risk modelling for listed buildings in Scotland
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Renewable Energy & Windfarms:
The Principal Consultant has worked on many renewable energy projects and windfarms in particular. This work has included both strategic research and site-specific EIA work. Dr Jonathan Ball was Head of the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute's (now part of the John Hutton Institute) GIS Consultancy Services, during which time he acquired many years experience as an independent consultant working on wind and micro hydro projects throughout the UK. Subsequently Jonathan has worked in the private sector for Enertrag UK. Over the years he has provided GIS services at all stages and for all aspects of a wind farm project for around 70 different sites. In addition, Jonathan has worked on strategic research projects relating to the wind industry commissioned by SNH and a number of Councils. More information on this renewables work is found here.
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Examples of 3D landscape modelling:
The Principal Consultant headed a team as part of a larger multidisciplinary project to create a massively parallel geoprocessing farm to derive 3D computer game assets from combinations of 2D vector cartographic data and raster topological and environmental data. The geoprocessing farm created was capable of processing the entirity of the GB Ordnance Survey data plus additional data sources.
Other 3D work undertaken by the Principal Consultant includes:
- 3D Modelling of landscapes for the development of Public Participation Geographical Information Systems (PPGIS) (e.g. Aberdeen City’s offshore windfarm).
- 3D digital version of the Planning For Real community involvement process
- 3D animation of engineering drawings for an offshore wave pump device.
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1. Esri and the Esri Logo are licensed trademarks of Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.
2. This project received a commendation from the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. |
