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A. Background

Although the main theme of the fieldwork investigations at the Peak and its surrounding areas is to study about microclimate, you can also conduct fieldwork on land use changes along the same fieldwork route. In other words, it can be regarded as a “rich” fieldwork site.

In this set of worksheets, you are led to study some important geographical concepts, such as land use changes and the impact of urban development on the natural environment, through fieldwork investigations and the application of geographic information system (GIS).

Figure 1 The suggested fieldwork route from the Peak to Central


B. Pre-trip Activities

Steps

1. Before conducting the fieldwork, you need to collect maps and information related to it. You may either use

(a) GIS to open digital maps related to the fieldwork (B5000 Serial No.: SW11A, SW11B, SW11C and SW11D from the Lands Department are recommended). You may also add related “digital orthophotos”, “digital aerial photos” and “GeoCommunity Database” to the system. Then, answer the following questions and finish the suggested activities.

OR

(b) traditional 1:5000 paper maps (Serial No: SW11A, SW11B, SW11C and SW11D from the Lands Department are recommended) and related aerial photos to answer the following questions and finish the suggested activities.

2.  Measure the actual length of the suggested fieldwork route. Assume the centre of Central (grid square 0625 in Figure 1) is the most accessible place in Figure 1, assess the accessibility of different checkpoints.

3.  Based on the information of the maps and aerial photos, describe and compare the land use characteristics of the checkpoints in the table below.

Checkpoint / Land use characteristics, e.g.
environment, facilities,
appearance & functions of buildings, building density /
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

4. Is there any relationship between the level of accessibility of a location and its land use characteristics? Explain with the information in Questions 2-3 above.

5.  Based on the above information, choose any 2 or 3 checkpoints and set a title for individual / group investigation. The following examples are just some directions for your consideration:

  What are the differences in land use characteristics at different checkpoints?

  Why different land use characteristics can be found at different checkpoints?

  To what extent does socio-economic status affect the distribution pattern of residential land use?

6.  Based on the stages of fieldwork enquiry stated on P.7-14 of “The study of microclimate (Case study: The Peak and its surrounding areas)”, complete this fieldwork investigation and develop a report.

C. Data Collection

During the process of fieldwork, you should observe, discuss and collect first-hand information about the land use characteristics of different checkpoints. Some suggested activities during fieldwork are given below:

1. (a) Draw a profile/transect from checkpoint 1 to checkpoint 7 to show the

pattern of land use from the Peak to Central.

(b)  Based on your observation along the fieldwork route, mark all relevant

information, such as height and density of buildings, on the above profile.

2. Take photos along the fieldwork route, then compare and contrast the land use characteristics at different checkpoints. Examples of these may include relief, building density, building types, height, accessibility, environment and infrastructure.

D. Report Writing

Based on the information of the stages of enquiry stated on P.7-14 of “The study of microclimate (Case study: The Peak and its surrounding areas)”, write a report in about 2,000 words. You may use GIS as a tool to present your collected data for further analysis and investigation.

E. Extended Activities – Urban Planning and the Application of GIS

Upon completion of the field trip and the report, you may engage in the following activities if you are interested in this title.


Using GIS data for analysis:

In this activity, you are required to choose any 3 checkpoints from Figure 1 for further analysis. The chosen checkpoints should correspond with the ideas of the above 3 main themes and the concepts of sustainable development.

Steps:
  1. Open relevant digital map(s).
  2. Note: If you choose to do this activity, you must use GIS to present your collected fieldwork data before writing your reports mentioned on P.5. You may

a) create hyperlinks to link relevant digital photos, scanned sketch maps or other diagrams with the digital maps; and

b) input the collected data (e.g. height of buildings) at different checkpoints into the GIS and make use of the “3D Analyst” to show the three-dimensional image of the buildings.

  1. Press the “Identify” key to make reference to the collected data of the field trip.
  2. Use the completed map(s) and relevant data in the GIS environment (detailed information should be collected during the field trip) for further analysis.

My choice:

1.  Suggest the best location for the development of themes 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

(Hint: Choose the best location from the checkpoints in Figure 1)

  1. Why do you choose these checkpoints in Question 1?
  1. What are the expected constraints in these projects? How to handle such limitations?

4.  Try to draw a sketch map to show your idea of developing the area.

(Hint: Appropriate annotations should be included in the diagram)

______

5.  Do you think these projects are in line with the principle of sustainable development? Explain your answers.

© Education and Manpower Bureau 2007