Transforming big data into knowledge : experimental techniques in dynamic visualization

Information visualizations, especially those utilizing web-based platforms, are becoming an increasingly common medium for exchanging ideas. This emergent class of tools enabling web-based, interactive platforms for visualizing data should be considered by urban planners and designers as an opportunity to create new modes of disseminating and communicating information. This thesis provides an overview of new visualization tools: how they are being developed and combined, their applications, and their potential future uses. It also explores the implications of such tools in contexts where technology is not yet mainstream. This is illustrated through a case study of using mobile phones to gather data on the bus system in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The research draws from literature written on critical cartography, visualization, and visual culture in urban design and planning. The work first develops a best practices workflow of existing and emerging visualization tools and platforms. It then constructs prototypes of products for various audiences that illustrate the outputs of data collected on Dhaka's bus system, showcasing the potentials of these new tools and platforms.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Kennedy, Stephen James, M.C.P. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Eran Ben-Joseph.

• Urban Studies and Planning.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/73818

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/73818