The New Development of Spatial Explorer of ReligionNew Information, New Technology and New Directions

Shuming BaoChina Data Center

University of Michigan

sbao@umich.edu

“Spatial Study of Religion and Society” Supported by the Henry Luce Foundation

The project aims: promoting research, teaching, learning, and training on the spatial studies of religions and society in China.

Features:1. Accessibility2. Usability3. Expandability

for those who are willing to share4. Free

Plans:1. Research References Collection2. Research System Development3. Research Training

Topics

I. Introduction

II. Data

III. Methodology

IV. Technology

V. Case Studies

VI. Future Plans

I. Introduction

The aim of the spatial study of religion:

The spatial process of religion and society

Research issues: Spatial patterns of religion (number and structure) Spatial trends and spatial regimes (space-time series) Spatial interactions among different religions Spatial interactions between religion and other aspects

of the society (migration, trade, culture, urbanization, ….)

II. DataReligious Sites:- Original data source from 2004 Economic Census- Atlas of Religions in China (UMCDC):

- Buddhism- Taoism- Christianity- Muslim- others

Population:- Original data source from population Census (1953, 1964, 1982, 1990, 2000)- China Population Census Data with GIS Maps (province, city, county and

townships)

Business:- Original data source from business Census (1995, 2001, 2004)- China Economic Census Data with GIS Maps (province, city, county and ZIP) - Digital Atlas by Industries of China

Others:- Socioeconomic Statistics, Geography, Environment, ……

II. Methodology

Report AnalysisSite AnalysisLocation AnalysisTrend AnalysisStatistical AnalysisSpace-Time AnalysisGraphic AnalysisMap Visualization

GIS

StatisticalAnalysis

Spatial Analysis

ESDA

III. Technology

An Integration of Information, Methodology and Knowledge supported by Spatial Intelligence Technology

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DATA

RSGIS

Information

+ Methodology

+ knowledge

Technology

Spatial Explorer of ReligionSpatial Intelligence for Space-Time Data Integration and Analysis

Statistics Charts

GIS

Census

Maps

Tables

Reports

Spatial Explorer of Religion

What Is New About Spatial Explorer of Religion?

• Site data with accurate geo-reference• Graphic Analysis• Statistical Analysis• Space-time Analysis• Integration with other data sources

Report Analysis

Select by administrative units

Select by map

Site Analysis

Location Analysis

Select by X & Y coordinates

Select by locations on map

Trend Analysis

Graphic Analysis

Statistical Analysis

Space-Time Analysis

Data Export

Map Export

V. Case Studies

Spatial Patterns of Regions

Spatial Trends of Religious Development

Spatial Religion and Economic Growth

Spatial Religion and Urbanization

Spatial Religion and International Trade

Spatial Religion and Migration

Spatial Religion and Culture

Spatial Distribution of Religious Sites by Province

Buddhism

IslamDaoism

Christianity

Spatial Correlation between Religions

Religion and Economic GrowthBen Anderson, University of Michigan

Shibao Liu, Xiamen University

Literature: Polarization of religion has positive impact on economic growth Test: What is the impact of religious diversity on regional growth?

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.80

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

90000

GDP per Capita to Fragmentation

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.000

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

90000

GDP per Capita to Polarization

0.00 2.00 4.00 6.00 8.00 10.00 12.00 14.000.00

2.00

4.00

6.00

8.00

10.00

12.00

14.00

16.00

The Growth of Religious Sites 04-08 (%) and Out-Migration by Province (%)

0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00 20.00 25.00 30.00 35.00 40.000.00

2.00

4.00

6.00

8.00

10.00

12.00

14.00

16.00

The Growth of Religious Sites 04-08 (%) and In-Migration by Province (%)

Religion and MigrationChangzhen Wang, Wuhan University

Literature: Religion discourage out-migration Test: Will the regions with more religious sites discourage out/in migration?

Religion and UrbanizationXiaodong Fu, Renmin University

Literature: Urbanization may have negative impact on religious development Test: Where are mostly dynamic changes in religious sites located: urban,

rural or transition areas?

1850 1900 1950 1980 2000 20040

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000Buddhism in three different areas

Jiedao Town Xiang

1850 1900 1950 1980 2000 20040

10002000300040005000600070008000

Christian in three different areas

Jiedao Town Xiang

1850 1900 1950 1980 2000 20040

100020003000400050006000700080009000 Islam in three different areas

Jiedao Town Xiang

1850 1900 1950 1980 2000 20040

200

400

600

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1000

1200

1400

1600 Taoism in three different areas

Jiedao Town Xiang

Religion and International TradeTai Guo, Central University of Finance and Economics

Literature: International trade help spread religion Test: The impact of international trade on religious distribution and growth

Religion and CultureXing Ren, Henan University

Literature: The spatial-temporal process can be identified with the spatial frequency of family names

Test: The spatial process of different religions with the family names of Temple abbot.

Religion and CultureYayuan Liu, Fudan University

Literature: The spatial-temporal process can be identified with the spatial frequency of Temple names

Test: The spatial process of different religions with the names of Temples.

Read time on space Recognize spatial barriers Analyze data with incomplete information

Future Plans:Integration of more data sourcesDerived data structureExpanded function for structural analysisMultiple versions: public, library, research

What We Can Learn from the Spatial Study of Religion?

Building A Global Network for Spatial Study of Religion and Society

http://religioninchina.orgInvolvement – interaction - international