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Place names determine geographic units in space, encapsulate the description of places where inhabitants conduct their activities, and preserve the perception of the territory in past times. The very definition of landscape impacts two interrelated concepts: human action and perception. On another note, traditional pathways are structuring elements of the landscape, bearing witness to the dynamic relationship between the territory and its inhabitants by connecting residences and workplaces. This work aims to assess the relationship between the landscape mosaic and the toponyms of pathways and roads gathered in the current cartography of Euskadi (Spain), a territory influenced by the existence of two official languages. Given the spatial component of the data, this analysis is conducted through geographic information systems. Firstly, a corpus of 3072 pathway names selected from current official toponymic databases is compiled, as well as the content of the first edition of the National Topographic Map. Subsequently, the semantic content of the corpus elements is examined, as well as the nature of their referential content concerning the landscape units obtained from the Atlas of Spanish Landscapes. The results show common factors in characterizing landscapes and the etymology of names. Thus, it is noted that traditional agricultural, forestry, livestock, and traditional industry activities shape the toponymy in the most populated landscape units. Meanwhile, references to the orography typify the more mountainous landscapes. Therefore, the geographical study demonstrates the existence of common factors that link landscape and toponymy, validating one as a study source for the other.

The concept of accessibility has been examined by the scientific community in various fields such as education, health care, social inclusion, disabilities, transport, and tourism. Regarding heritage, the European Commission’s efforts toward accessible cultural heritage are highlighted, along with the use of digitization and modeling technologies for complex heritage shapes. Thus, this chapter explores relevant scientific research into the accessibility of digital heritage models that represent the assets’ real condition, that is, as-is or as-built models produced using advanced digitization and modeling technologies. The study emphasizes the importance of both physical and semantic aspects of heritage conservation and the need for public awareness and cooperation toward the aimed accessibility. The methodology addresses the search for publications in Scopus and Web of Science and their filtering based on inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure documents related to the accessibility of deformed digital heritage models are considered. The research concludes that creating accessible deformed digital heritage models is crucial for inclusion and participation from the public and stakeholders, and while some studies achieve accurate as-built geometries and accessibility, there is room for improvement.

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is becoming increasingly important in the cultural heritage field given the need for virtual records of buildings and detecting surface wear and deterioration. Scientific research has shown that exhaustive 3D modeling from point clouds enables accurate analysis of heritage buildings and sites. However, factors such as the number and location of scanning stations, distance to objects, point of view, and resolution impact the scanning and modeling accuracies. Through the case study of a 19th-century Anglican masonry church in Nottingham (United Kingdom), this chapter investigates the accuracy of TLS surveying features to model surface deficiencies in heritage buildings. The results showed that combining different points of view and distances can enhance accuracy, but the joint accuracy is still lower than that of the less unfavorable station. The research also determined the suitable meshing smoothening for damage modeling and analyzed the point cloud discretization distortion for accuracy analysis.

Historically, the Vega Alta of the Guadalquivir River (southern Spain) has been an anthropized space. Over time, the dominance of latifundia agriculture has evolved towards more intensive citrus-based agriculture. In this study, wavelet algorithms applied to Sentinel-2 time series were used to determine both the expansion of citrus plantations and the level of intensification of these plantations within the municipality of Cantillana. Sentinel-2 provides comprehensive global coverage from March 2017 to the present. Our study applied a 90% power wavelet transformation for the creation of a wavelet-smoothed time series for four years of Sentinel-2 NDVI data. Based on the data, it can be stated that within our research region covering 5000 hectares of agricultural land, over a span of four years (2017 to 2020), more than 980 hectares of native vegetation and pasture were transformed into citrus orchards, giving rise, at the end of 2020, to a total area of 3250 ha. Analyzing unique spatial patterns within a wavelet-smoothed time series data is very useful for land management, as it allows land use changes to be controlled. For this reason, it becomes feasible to assess the reliability of the wavelet method using both remote sensing and GIS tools.

Toponymy, a transversal discipline for geography, linguistics, and history, finds one of its main supports in cartography. Due to exhaustiveness on the territory, cadastral cartography and its toponymy have the ideal characteristics to develop systematic geographical analyses. Moreover, cadastre and geographical names are part of the geographic reference data according to Annex 1 of the INSPIRE directive. This work presents the design, implementation, and application of a methodology based on Geographic Information Systems and Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) tools for detecting coincidences between the cadastral geoinformation and the official gazetteer corresponding to the province of Gipuzkoa, Spain. Methodologically, this study proposes a solution to the issues raised by bilingualism in the study area. This problem is approached a priori, in the previous data treatment, and a posteriori, applying semantic criteria. The results show a match between the datasets of close to 40%. In this way, the uniqueness and richness of the analyzed source and its outstanding contribution to the potential integration of the official toponymic corpus are evidenced.

Toponymy, a transversal discipline for geography, linguistics, and history, finds one of its main supports in cartography. Due to exhaustiveness on the territory, cadastral cartography and its toponymy have the ideal characteristics to develop systematic geographical analyses. Moreover, cadastre and geographical names are part of the geographic reference data according to Annex 1 of the INSPIRE directive. This work presents the design, implementation, and application of a methodology based on Geographic Information Systems and Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) tools for detecting coincidences between the cadastral geoinformation and the official gazetteer corresponding to the province of Gipuzkoa, Spain. Methodologically, this study proposes a solution to the issues raised by bilingualism in the study area. This problem is approached a priori, in the previous data treatment, and a posteriori, applying semantic criteria. The results show a match between the datasets of close to 40%. In this way, the uniqueness and richness of the analyzed source and its outstanding contribution to the potential integration of the official toponymic corpus are evidenced.

Global warming is an essential factor to consider when studying tidal wetlands. The Río Piedras and Flecha de El Rompido salt marsh is one of the main wetlands in Andalusia, Spain. From the mid-1950s to the present day, Land Use Changes (LUCs) have caused significant alterations to the landscape. These changes, along with the effects of climatic variables and human activity, have led to an unprecedented impact on the environment. In this study, a patented method is used to obtain the total cubic meters of eroded soil and the average erosion prediction between 2015 and 2021 in the marshland area. Additionally, the various factors contributing to this phenomenon and the influence of intertidal processes are discussed. The results demonstrate how the enhanced integration of LIDAR technologies, digital elevation models, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), in conjunction with regression models, has proven highly useful in describing, analyzing, and predicting the volumetric change process in the study area. In conclusion, the methodology used is helpful for any type of coastal marshes influenced by tidal processes and climate change.

La Vega de Granada es una de las comarcas españolas que presenta una mayor peligrosidad sísmica, donde se han registrado importantes eventos con intensidad macrosísmica (Io)≥VIII. A final de 2020 comenzó una serie sísmica (aún activa, en marzo de 2021), que ha alcanzado una Io=V-VI. En el marco de los estudios de riesgo sísmico, es necesario conocer la vulnerabilidad de las edificaciones. Así, esta investigación persigue estimar unos valores relativos de vulnerabilidad de las edificaciones. Para ello, partiendo de información proveniente de Catastro y del Instituto Geográfico Nacional, así como de las fechas de normativas sismorresistentes, se ha llevado a cabo un análisis multicriterio. Para la integración de los datos, los cálculos, la representación y el análisis de los mismos se ha empleado un sistema de información geográfica gratuito. Los resultados muestran que, principalmente, la zona oeste de Santa Fe es la que podría verse más afectada., La Vega de Granada is one of the Spanish regions with the highest seismic hazard, where important events with macroseismic intensity (Io)≥VIII have been recorded. At the end of 2020 a seismic series began (still active, in March 2021), which has reached an Io=V-VI. In the framework of seismic risk studies, it is necessary to know the vulnerability of buildings. Thus, this research aims to estimate relative vulnerability values of buildings. For this purpose, a multi-criteria analysis was carried out based on information from the Cadastre and the National Geographic Institute, as well as on the dates of seismic-resistant regulations. A free geographic information system was used for data integration, calculations, representation and analysis. The results show that the area west of Santa Fe is the most likely to be affected.

The city of Seville (Spain) is made up of a historical network of pre-existing city overlaps, which increase the economic and heritage value of certain urban areas. To date, green spaces are one of the most important variables in determining the economic value of housing. Thus, this paper uses the hedonic technique and geostatistical analysis with GIS as a methodological approach to infer the economic influence of urban green spaces on housing prices. Along with the traditional variables used to explain dwelling prices, the size of the green space has also been taken into account as an environmental variable affecting prices. The sample consists of 1000 observations collected from Seville. According to the findings, the most relevant variables depend on the hedonic model. Still, in general terms, a dwelling’s selling price is related to basic explanatory variables such as living area, number of rooms, age, and number of baths. The green area per inhabitant present in a dwelling’s district is also included as part of these basic explanatory variables. In conclusion, the hedonic linear model is the model that best fits housing prices where the values are similar to those obtained by kriging regardless of the district. Based on this research, each square meter of green space per inhabitant in a district raises the housing value by 120.19 €/m2.

Engineering graphics are present in the design stage, but also constitute a way to communicate, analyse, and synthesise. In the Architecture-Engineering-Construction sector, graphical data become essential in analysing buildings and constructions throughout their lifecycles, such as in the thermal behaviour assessment of building envelopes. Scientific research has addressed the thermal image mapping onto three-dimensional (3D) models for visualisation and analysis. However, the 3D point cloud data creation of buildings’ thermal behaviour directly from rectified infrared thermography (IRT) thermograms is yet to be investigated. Therefore, this paper develops an open-source software graphical method to produce 3D thermal data from IRT images for temperature visualisation and subsequent analysis. This low-cost approach uses both a geographic information system for the thermographic image rectification and the point clouds production, and 3D point cloud processing software. The methodology has been proven useful to obtain, without perspective distortions, 3D thermograms even from non-radiometric raster images. The results also revealed that non-rectangular thermograms enable over 95% of the 3D thermal data generated from IRT against rectangular shapes (over 85%). Finally, the 3D thermal data produced allow further thermal behaviour assessment, including calculating the object’s heat loss and thermal transmittance for diverse applications such as energy audits, restoration, monitoring, or product quality control.

In some countries with seismicity, an adequate detection network is essential to assess seismic hazards. The Instituto Geogr afico Nacional (National Geographic Institute/IGN) of Spain manages a strong motion network distributed throughout the whole country and an earthquake detection network composed of velocity stations. This paper aims at studying the development of the strong motion network of the Spanish National Seismic Network (focusing on mainland Spain and the Balearics) in the last three decades. A Geographic Information System (GIS) has been implemented to integrate the attributes from the IGN's database concerning the earthquake catalogue, seismograph and accelerometer networks, which enabled to analyse the data and map the distribution of detection equipments in the region. The irregularly distributed Spanish strong motion network was greatly expanded from 1990 to 2010. In the past decade, it developed at a slower rate, but more modern technology was implemented.

Seismogenic source zone models, including the delineation and the characterization, still have a role to play in seismic hazard calculations, particularly in regions with moderate or low to moderate seismicity. Seismic source zones establish areas with common tectonic and seismic characteristics, described by a unique magnitude–frequency distribution. Their definition can be addressed from different views. Traditionally, the source zones have been geographically outlined from seismotectonic, geological structures, and earthquake catalogs. Geographic information systems (GIS) can be of great help in their definition, as they deal rigorously and less ambiguously with the available geographical data. Moreover, novel computer science approaches are now being employed in their definition. The Pyrenees mountain range – in southwest Europe – is located in a region characterized by low to moderate seismicity. In this study, a method based purely on seismic catalogs, managed with a GIS and a triclustering algorithm, were used to delineate seismogenic zones in the Pyrenees. Based on an updated, reviewed, declustered, extensive, and homogeneous earthquake catalog (including detailed information about each event such as date and time, hypocentral location, and size), a triclustering algorithm has been applied to generate the seismogenic zones. The method seeks seismicity patterns in a quasi-objective manner following an initial assessment as to the best suited seismic parameters. The eight zones identified as part of this study are represented on maps to be analyzed, being the zone covered by the Arudy–Arette region to Bagnères de Bigorre as the one with the highest seismic hazard potential.

In the present paper, three of the main seismic parameters, maximum magnitude -Mmax, b-value, and annual rate -AR, have been studied for the Pyrenees range in southwest Europe by a Geographic Information System (GIS). The main aim of this work is to calculate, represent continuously, and analyze some of the most crucial seismic indicators for this belt. To this end, an updated and homogenized Poissonian earthquake catalog has been generated, where the National Geographic Institute of Spain earthquake catalog has been considered as a starting point. Herein, the details about the catalog compilation, the magnitude homogenization, the declustering of the catalog, and the analysis of the completeness, are exposed. When the catalog has been produced, a GIS tool has been used to drive the parameters’ calculations and representations properly. Different grids (0.5 × 0.5° and 1 × 1°) have been created to depict a continuous map of these parameters. The b-value and AR have been obtained that take into account different pairs of magnitude–year of completeness. Mmax has been discretely obtained (by cells). The analysis of the results shows that the Central Pyrenees (mainly from Arudy to Bagnères de Bigorre) present the most pronounced seismicity in the range.

En este trabajo estudiamos la posibilidad de localizar una central termosolar en la región sur de Italia. La idea surge a través de la gran multitud de centrales de este tipo que se encuentran posicionadas en nuestro país y la enorme cantidad de energía que nos proporciona de una forma limpia y ecológica. Uno de los principales elementos que se estudiará en este trabajo es la radiación solar, la cual es similar en España e Italia, ya que la eficiencia de la central irá en función de la radiación que reciba la zona propuesta. Además, será primordial que toda la información que incluyamos aquí sea de carácter abierto, para poder acceder cómodamente a los datos. Para finalizar, desarrollaremos este trabajo a través de una herramienta precisa y eficaz como son los sistemas de información geográfica. Gracias a esta herramienta podremos integrar y unificar toda la información de este proyecto., In this work, we study the possibility of locating a solar thermal power plant in the southern region of Italy. The idea arises through the great multitude of plants of this type that are positioned in our country and the enormous amount of energy that it provides us with in a clean and ecological way. One of the main elements that will be studied in this work is the solar radiation, which is similar in Spain and Italy, as the plant efficiency will depend on the radiation the proposed area receives. Furthermore, it will be essential that all the information included here open, in order to work in a real way. Finally, we will develop this work through a precise and effective tool such as geographical information systems. Thanks to this tool, we will be able to integrate and unify all the information about this project.

Actualmente, la distribución de mercancías, así como la logística de transporte cobran un papel cada vez más decisivo en el marco de un mercado tan profesionalizado como en el que vivimos. El objetivo para este trabajo es determinar la mejor localización dentro de la provincia de Sevilla, para instalar un Centro Integrado de Mercancías que deberá abastecer a hipermercados de la cadena Carrefour. Debe tener como mínimo 15 hectáreas y cumplir una serie de criterios que se han impuesto. Estos criterios han perseguido minimizar el coste. En logística según la hipótesis de Weber, no existe una localización óptima, ya que el mercado no es perfecto ni transparente, sino una localización de menor coste, que es lo que se busca con este trabajo. Se usará como herramienta un Sistema de Información Geográfica (SIG), cuya principal función es integrar, manipular, editar y representar datos geográficos, para encontrar la mejor localización. Para poder aplicar los criterios, se han utilizado Datos Espaciales de Referencia de Andalucía (DERA), obtenidos a través de la Junta de Andalucía para representar carreteras, núcleos urbanos… Estos criterios se han obtenido de la bibliografía y de ciertas consideraciones en cierto modo discrecionales, ya que ubicar un centro logístico no se rige solo por una normativa. A través de estos criterios aplicados en el SIG, se podrá localizar el lugar idóneo respecto a las limitaciones prefijadas., Nowadays, the distribution of goods, as well as transport logistics, are becoming more and more decisive in the framework of a market as professionalized as the one in which we live. The objective for this work is to determinate the best location within the province of Seville, to install an Integrated Goods Centre that will supply hypermarkets in the Carrefour chain. It must have a minimum of 15 hectares and meet a series of criteria that have been imposed. These criteria have sought to minimise the cost. In logistics, according to Weber's hypothesis, there is no optimal location, as the market is not perfect or transparent, but rather a lower-cost location, which is what we are looking for with this work. A Geographic Information System (GIS) will be used as a tool, whose main function is to integrate, manipulate, edit and represent geographic data in order to find the best location. In order to be able to apply the criteria, Reference Spatial Data of Andalusia (DERA) has been used, obtained through the Junta de Andalucía to represent roads, urban centres... These criteria have been obtained from the bibliography and from several considerations in a certain discretionary way, since locating a logistic centre is not solely governed by a regulation. Through these criteria applied in the GIS, it will be possible to locate the ideal location with respect to the prefixed limitations.

The knowledge of the seismic hazard in the Iberian Peninsula (IP) and its neighboring area is important to address the mitigation of damage that earthquakes could cause in it. The occurrence of earthquakes in the area is quite frequent because it is in the contact zone between the Eurasian Plate and the African Plate. The general objective of this document is the calculation, representation and analysis of a set of seismic parameters (b-value, maximum magnitude and annual rate of earthquakes per unit area) of the Iberian Peninsula and its adjacent area, considering geographic information systems (GIS) as a basic working tool. These systems allow the integration of data from different information sources, as well as rigorous and quality analysis and graphical representations. To achieve this goal, having a quality seismic catalog is essential. Therefore, one has been compiled for the area as complete, rigorous and extensive in the time possible, and further, revised, homogeneous in size (magnitude) and with independent events. This has served as the basis for the works exposed here. For the generation of this catalog, the database of earthquakes of the National Geographic Institute of Spain has been consider as a starting point, that has been revised (especially the magnitude) and completed with other databases and specific studies. In addition, the catalog of work has included earthquakes for which only macroseismic (and reliable) information is available as well as those recorded during the instrumental period according to the scientific advances of each moment. Then, the size of all the events has been transformed to moment magnitude (Mw) in order to compare it, taking into account only the events with Mw greater or equal to 3.0. Subsequently, a process of elimination of non-main shocks (foreshocks, aftershocks and swarms) has been carried out. Finally, a completeness date has been considered for each magnitude. In this thesis, the b-value, the annual rate of eart, El conocimiento de la peligrosidad sísmica en la península ibérica y su entorno es importante para abordar la mitigación de los daños que los terremotos podrían causar en la misma. La ocurrencia de terremotos en el área es bastante frecuente porque se encuentra en la zona de contacto entre la placa euroasiática y la africana. El objetivo general de esta tesis doctoral es el cálculo, representación y análisis de un conjunto de parámetros que intervienen en la definición de la peligrosidad sísmica de la península ibérica y su área adyacente, considerando como herramienta básica de trabajo los sistemas de información geográfica. Estos permiten la integración de datos de distintas fuentes de información, así como el análisis y representaciones gráficas rigurosas y de calidad. Para la consecución de este objetivo, el disponer de un catálogo sísmico de calidad es fundamental. Por tanto, se ha compilado uno para la zona lo más completo, riguroso y extenso en el tiempo posible y además, revisado, homogéneo en tamaño (magnitud) y con eventos independientes. Este ha servido como base para los trabajos que aquí se exponen. Para la generación del mismo, se ha partido de la base de datos de terremotos del Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España, que se ha visto revisada (sobre todo la magnitud) y completada con otras bases de datos y estudios específicos. Además, en el catálogo del trabajo se han incluido, desde terremotos de los que únicamente se dispone de información macrosísmica (y fiable) como los registrados durante la época instrumental según los avances científicos de cada momento. Luego, se ha transformado el tamaño de todos los eventos a magnitud momento (Mw) para poder compararlo, tomando solo los eventos con Mw mayor o igual a 3,0. Posteriormente, se ha llevado a cabo un proceso de eliminación de terremotos no principales (premonitores, réplicas y enjambres). Finalmente, se ha considerado una fecha de completitud para cada magnitud. En esta tesis se han calculado, re

In this paper, one innovative educational experiment to help student obtain a better way to learn spatial vision in graphical course was carried out. After implementation of the improvements into a graphical engineering course, an evaluation study, through surveys, was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of this visual experiment. This empirical study provided one hundred and sixty four andalusian freshmen three types of visualization (2D static depictions, 3D computer depictions and an augmented reality environment that allows multiple participants to interact with 2D and 3D data) required to improve their skills related to spatial vision. According to results, most students showed positive attitudes toward this practice. In addition, students perceived positive impacts of this effort on their learning experience. The responses to surveys illustrated that students prefer 3D traditional learning, however they think augmented reality learning is no useful for better visual understanding of different objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous definition of seismogenic zones is required to do a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis for areas of spread and low seismic activity. Traditional zoning methods are based on the available seismic catalog and the geological structures. It is admitted that thermal and resistant parameters of the crust provide better criteria for zoning. Nonetheless, the working out of the rheological profiles causes a great uncertainty. This has generated inconsistencies, as different zones have been proposed for the same area. A new method for seismogenic zoning by means of triclustering is proposed in this research. The main advantage is that it is solely based on seismic data. Almost no human decision is made, and therefore, the method is nearly non-biased. To assess its performance, the method has been applied to the Iberian Peninsula, which is characterized by the occurrence of small to moderate magnitude earthquakes. The catalog of the National Geographic Institute of Spain has been used. The output map is checked for validity with the geology. Moreover, a geographic information system has been used for two purposes. First, the obtained zones have been depicted within it. Second, the data have been used to calculate the seismic parameters (b-value, annual rate). Finally, the results have been compared to Kohonen’s self-organizing maps.