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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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An Interactive Visualization Tool for Population Simulations

Author

Term

4. term

Publication year

2018

Abstract

As global urbanization accelerates, planning requires insight into where populations will concentrate. This thesis investigates how to design and implement an interactive web-based visualization tool capable of handling the very large raster outputs of population simulations. The study reviews cartographic and data-visualization conventions to guide map design, prototypes client-side Python approaches (Bokeh and Folium), and builds server-based solutions with GeoServer and MapServer. The approaches are assessed for usability and performance on large datasets. Python-based solutions proved unsuitable at this scale, while server-side rendering was viable. In comparative tests, GeoServer offered a more user-friendly workflow, whereas MapServer delivered faster raster presentation. The thesis presents a working tool and practical guidance on technology choices and visualization practices for interactively exploring large population simulation results.

Efterhånden som urbaniseringen tiltager, har planlægning brug for indsigt i, hvor befolkningen vil koncentrere sig. Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan man designer og implementerer et interaktivt webbaseret visualiseringsværktøj, der kan håndtere meget store rasteroutput fra befolkningssimuleringer. Studiet gennemgår kartografiske og datavisualiseringsmæssige konventioner til at informere kortdesign, afprøver klientbaserede Python-tilgange (Bokeh og Folium) og opbygger serverbaserede løsninger med GeoServer og MapServer. Tilgangene vurderes på brugbarhed og ydeevne ved store datasæt. Python-baserede løsninger viste sig utilstrækkelige i denne skala, mens server-side rendering var anvendelig. I sammenligninger var GeoServer mere brugervenlig, mens MapServer leverede hurtigere rasterpræsentation. Specialet præsenterer et fungerende værktøj og praktisk vejledning om valg af teknologi og visualiseringspraksis til interaktiv udforskning af store befolkningssimuleringer.

[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]