Designing a Thematic Atlas on the Geospatial Impact of COVID-19

Leonard LUZ

Master's thesis

Abstract:

The main goal of this diploma thesis is to create a cartographic product in the form of a thematic atlas focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various aspects (e.g. social, economic, environmental)and employing appropriate cartographic and design principles. To achieve these goals, the work objectives were divided into theoretical and practical parts which focus on research and initial planning, and the actual production of the atlas respectively. Corresponding datasets were acquired from authoritative global data sources, including the Johns Hopkins University, Oxford University, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Copernicus Programme. Pre-processing and standardization of data were conducted first using GIS software before creating the maps and other visualizations. Various types of maps including reference maps and thematic, maps (e.g. choropleth maps, categorical maps, synthetic maps) were incorporated to provide a holistic narrative of the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-processing and atlas layout was performed in desktop publishing software. A short usability testing in the form of a survey questionnaire and user interview was performed to assess the readability and interpretability of the atlas, as well as to identify which atlas components still need to be improved. The results of the usability testing were evaluated and necessary improvements were applied to the atlas design. The result of the diploma thesis is a printed and digital version of a thematic atlas about COVID-19 and its implications on the social, economic, and environmental aspects. Along with the actual atlas, a streamlined methodology of atlas creation from project definition to pre-press was also defined.

Abstract:

The main goal of this diploma thesis is to create a cartographic product in the form of a thematic atlas focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various aspects (e.g. social, economic, environmental)and employing appropriate cartographic and design principles. To achieve these goals, the work objectives were divided into theoretical and practical parts which focus on research and initial planning, and the actual production of the atlas respectively. Corresponding datasets were acquired from authoritative global data sources, including the Johns Hopkins University, Oxford University, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Copernicus Programme. Pre-processing and standardization of data were conducted first using GIS software before creating the maps and other visualizations. Various types of maps including reference maps and thematic, maps (e.g. choropleth maps, categorical maps, synthetic maps) were incorporated to provide a holistic narrative of the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-processing and atlas layout was performed in desktop publishing software. A short usability testing in the form of a survey questionnaire and user interview was performed to assess the readability and interpretability of the atlas, as well as to identify which atlas components still need to be improved. The results of the usability testing were evaluated and necessary improvements were applied to the atlas design. The result of the diploma thesis is a printed and digital version of a thematic atlas about COVID-19 and its implications on the social, economic, and environmental aspects. Along with the actual atlas, a streamlined methodology of atlas creation from project definition to pre-press was also defined.

Keywords

cartography, pandemic, infodemic, map design, GIS

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 20. 5. 2021

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: RNDr. Alena Vondráková, Ph.D.

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Science

Master programme / field:
Geoinformatics and Cartography / Geoinformatics and Cartography