In my college years, my final project for Advanced GIS class was well received by my peers and instructors alike: determining the best location in Austin, Texas, for a Jedi Temple. Inspired by the principles of the Jedi Order from the Star Wars universe, the project aimed to combine geospatial analysis with a personal touch of creativity. It aimed to balance practical criteria—such as proximity to urban areas with peacekeeping needs—and thematic elements, like serene surroundings ideal for meditation and training.
Now, nearly ten years later, I aim to revisit and expand upon that project, broadening the scope to include additional criteria, and aiming find the best location in the entire United States. This updated analysis will reflect my growth as a GIS professional, incorporating more sophisticated tools, datasets, and methodologies to craft a worthy successor project for Terra Curiosity.
Project Overview
The purpose of this project is to identify the optimal location for a Jedi Temple in the United States using GIS technology. The analysis will consider several key criteria:
- Proximity to Urban Areas with High Crime Rates: Jedi serve as peacekeepers. Thus, their temple should be near cities where their presence can make a meaningful impact.
- Seclusion for Meditation and Training: The temple must be located in a quiet, natural environment outside urban chaos, allowing for introspection and training in the arts of the Force.
- Accessibility: While remote, the temple must still be reachable, ensuring Jedi can respond to crises efficiently.
- Additional Criteria: As the project progresses, other factors such as natural beauty, proximity to water bodies, and land suitability may be introduced, depending on data availability.
Tools and Methodology
This project will leverage the following:
- ArcGIS Pro: For spatial analysis, visualization, and decision-making.
- Publicly Available Datasets: Crime statistics, land use/land cover data, transportation networks, and population density.
- Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA): To weigh and prioritize different factors effectively.
- Generative AI Integration: To brainstorm additional layers of analysis and explore creative project enhancements.
Making GIS analysis creative & fun
In the same vein as my “Just-for-fun” project which involved finding the location of Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter universe, this project is not just an exercise in GIS skills but also a reflection of my personal interests in blending imagination with geospatial analysis. By proposing this project, I hope to demonstrate the versatility of GIS technology in tackling unconventional problems while maintaining a sense of fun and creativity.
May the Force be with us!
As I dive deeper into the data and refine the criteria, I’ll share updates, maps, and insights here on Terra Curiosity. Whether you’re a fellow GIS enthusiast, a Star Wars fan, or simply curious about how spatial analysis can help answer imaginative questions, I invite you to join me on this journey.