PREVIOUS: Overview
2: Acquiring data
I needed the following kinds of public datasets (limited for the proof-of-concept to Oregon and Washington, where there are numerous cob resources):
Shapefiles and tabular data were available for nearly all these via these sites:
See also an excellent overview of geologic datasets at the (WA) DNR's own mapping application (using Viewer for Flex).
I also needed to create two tables manually:
There are many more cob sites, natural builders, and other resources than this sample shows. Two very good places to start are these companies which have been especially instrumental in training natural builders and nurturing the cob renaissance: Cob Cottage Company and Cobworks.
Source for cell tower location: CellReception
2: Acquiring data
I needed the following kinds of public datasets (limited for the proof-of-concept to Oregon and Washington, where there are numerous cob resources):
- Administrative (Counties, Populated Places, Zip Codes, Urban Growth Boundaries)
- Census data
- Cadastral (parcels) [not useful without geoprocessing capability]
- Land Use
- Geologic features (landslides, earthquakes)
Shapefiles and tabular data were available for nearly all these via these sites:
- Washington State Department of Natural Resources (Geosciences data)
- Oregon's Spatial Data Library
- Census TIGER Shapefiles, Demographics, and Gazetteer
See also an excellent overview of geologic datasets at the (WA) DNR's own mapping application (using Viewer for Flex).
I also needed to create two tables manually:
- Locations of existing cob structures, natural builders, and other resources
- Locations of cell towers (excluding the obviously available--cities and along major highways)
There are many more cob sites, natural builders, and other resources than this sample shows. Two very good places to start are these companies which have been especially instrumental in training natural builders and nurturing the cob renaissance: Cob Cottage Company and Cobworks.
Source for cell tower location: CellReception