TiGrESS

 
2002-2005, , Europe

[b]Objectives[/b]
Time-Geography (TG) has been a pivotal component of several research projects under earlier Framework Programmes. It remains an imperfectly understood methodology for understanding human-environmental interactions. The aim of the TiGrESS project is to rectify this on the basis of three regional case studies, each of which has a substantial TG element and which bear directly on EESD key actions. TiGrESS will evaluate the utility of TG methods as a mechanism for producing information to integrate sustainability into policies and for identifying pathways to sustainability. It will develop a suite of TG analysis toolboxes within a generic plug-and-play software environment able to handle models and databases using state-of-the-art spatial analysis technologies and new 3D/4D analysis tools which stretch beyond existing software capabilities. TiGrESS will build and assess TG models, disseminate through scientific monographs and produce a generic environment for reuse by consortium partners and the wider scientific and policy communities.

[b]Workprogramme[/b]
The TiGrESS project will evaluate Time-Geography (TG) by developing a Proof of Concept System (TiGrESS) to be used to study fisheries dynamics in the Baltic, inter-urban migration across the Franco-German border, land-use planning and nature conservation in Madrid, and the co-evolution of water supply and urban sprawl in Eastern England. All work packages will investigate their data and models using TiGrESS with their changing perception recorded using elicitation techniques.

  • Work package 1 will use a portfolio approach to evaluate the impact on individual researchers of TG methods, using verbal protocols, process tracing and pre/post-process testing, to be carried out by experts in TG, modelling and elicitation methods.

  • Work package 2, which is the core activity of RIKS in the project, will build the generic tool for evaluating and analysing TG data, to be used to receive, summarise, visualise and explore data from simulation experiments or empirical studies. The TiGrESS System will provide seamless connection to commercial GIS and data analysis packages and will dynamically integrate spatial map-based and temporal individual-based data into thematic maps and animations.

  • Work package 3 will develop of a spatial strategic water demand/supply analysis tool (INFRAPLAN) to support decision making with respect to resource planning for water utilities, and dialogue between utilities, regulators, environmental bodies, and other stakeholders.

  • Work package 4 will develop a model (EuroSim) to simulate the dynamics of the European urban network, specifically the Franco-German border, investigating changing border controls and EU expansion.

  • Work package 5 will develop a TG database to explore and advise on land use planning regulations, as an educational tool in land planning and ecosystem management, and for strengthening the democratisation process in the Madrid region.

[b]Deliverables[/b]
The main deliverables of the project will be: the TiGrESS System, a generic tool for analysing TG models and data; four region-specific versions, with integrated TG models; five high-quality scientific monographs, one for each case study (each carrying a CD with a TiGrESS demo) and one synthetic volume, to be published and disseminated as part of the CERUM series in cultural geography; reports to the EU. A www site will be maintained, and each WP is expected to publish 2/3 peer reviewed journal publications.

[b]Consortium[/b]
The work in TiGrESS is carried out by the consortium consisting of the following partners:

[c]
* Department of Archeology
University of Newcastle-upon-Tyre, UK
(Co-ordinator)

  • Research Institute for Knowledge Systems bv
    Maastricht, The Netherlands

  • School of Water Sciences
    Cranfield University, UK

  • Centre National de Recherche Scientifique
    Geographie Cites - UMR 8504, Paris, France

  • Departamento de Medio Ambiente
    Universidad Europea UEM-CEES, Villaviciosa de Odon, Spain

  • Department of Environmental Science & Technology
    Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine, London, UK

  • Centre for Water Systems
    School of Engineering & Computer Science
    University of Exeter, UK

  • David Lock Associates
    Milton Keynes, UK

  • Department of Mechanical Engineering
    University of Bath, Bath, UK[/c]