Olav ten Bosch and Edwin de JongeStatistics Netherlands

UNECE - Meeting on the Management of Statistical Information Systems (MSIS)

Luxembourg, 7-9 April, 2008

Visualisation of Neighbourhood Statistics

using Google Earth

Contents

- Introduction

- Regional Statistics in StatLine

- Traditional mapping versus streaming photo-based

mapping

- A dual Approach:- CBS in your neighbourhood

- Google Earth layer

- Work in progress

- Conclusions

Introduction

– Statistics Netherlands has many statistics at neighbourhood level

– Available in statistical database StatLine– Regional statistics can be presented more

attractive and understandable in maps– StatLine maps:

• generated on the fly from the database• SVG (less popular and problematic in browsers)• People have to “know” how to generate a map

– There must be a better solution

Regional Statistics in StatLine (1)

Regional Statistics in StatLine (2)

Regional Statistics in StatLine (3)

Traditional mapping versus streaming photo-based mapping

– Traditional mapping:• Each mapping engine has its own user interaction

mechanism• The user has to specify certain parameters• Maps are sent over completely

– Streaming photo-based mapping:• de-facto user interaction (zooming, panning etc)• Combining air- or satellite photos with other information• Efficient streaming mechanism for (geo)data• Extendable, you can add other information layers• Only a few flavors:

– Google Earth / maps– Microsoft Virtual Earth– OpenStreetmap

– Statistics should use this trend

Maps people use in their daily life

Traffic infoHouses for sale

Crime facts

A Dual approach• We use general mapping technology

– Google maps and Google earth– People “know” these interfaces– 11,000 neighbourhoods:

• Detailed borders• 21 variables (inhabitants, income, age)

• Two “products”:– “CBS in your neighbourhood”:

• http://www.cbsinuwbuurt.nl/• Website for everyone, no plugins required

– “CBS on Google Earth”: • for advanced users• CBS layer accessible from CBS website• http://www.cbs.nl/gearth (Dutch version)• http://www.cbs.nl/.../gearth.htm (English version)

– CBS created statistical layer for GEarth:• GEarth free tool (needs to be installed)• GEarth has a well-defined data format (KML)

– Two ways to access:• CBS data in next (Dutch) GEarth release• Google Earth layer available on website CBS

– Use streaming mechanism of GEarth for efficient data transport:

• Only the data of the viewing area is sent over

– Ability to combine statistical data with other geodata

“CBS on Google Earth”

“CBS on Google Earth”:

“CBS on Google Earth”:

– Heat maps for regional variables:• Population density• Ratio of men to women• Other variables

– Animated statistics:• Use the time facility to visualise statistical trends• Changing neighbourhood borders• Changes in population, age, households etc.

Work in progress

“Population Density on Google Earth”

“Ratio of Men to Women on GEarth”

Conclusions

• Follow the trend:– In addition to traditional maps we use

modern web-based streaming mapping techniques for dissemination of regional statistics

• Dual approach for different user groups:

– Easy site CBS in your Neighbourhood for everyone

– Google Earth layer for advanced use

• Work in progress:– Projecting variables on GEarth– Animation