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Although this project
has provided a model for mapping qualitative cultural data, there
are several limits to both this specific methodological approach
and the accuracy of the data involved.
1. Spatial Accuracy
— This project uses combines maps that have different scales.
For instance, the Scenic Areas coverage from RIGIS is intended to
be viewed at 1:24,000, while the South Kingstown parcel map is accurate
at the 1:2400 scale in rural areas and 1:1200 scale in developed
areas. Using the Scenic coverage to identify scenic parcels introduces
an unknown amount of spatial error in addition to the base margin
of error of +/- 100 feet (a result of digitizing polygons from paper
maps). Often, however, the boundaries of scenic viewsheds themselves
cannot be precisely located, so this does not represent a major
concern.
The second potential
set of spatial errors derives from interpreting the Inventory
of Village and Rural Qualities. Because not every location was
field checked, it is possible that parcels were coded incorrectly
based on the written report. It is hoped that the original data,
which is available on the parcel HTML pages, can be used to correct
any errors.
2. Outdated data
— Some of the data sources have not been updated for more than
a decade. The Landscape Inventory and the RIHPC Designed
and Cultural Landscape Survey were both conducted in the late
1980s. South Kingstown has experienced tremendous growth since that
time, and it is possible that the findings of those reports would
be altered by the changing landscape. Again, since not every site
was field checked, the degree to which this impacts the final cultural
resource map is unknown.
3. Representing the
sense of place — Although much of the information contained
in the Inventory and Analysis of Village and Rural Characteristics
of South Kingstown had a spatial component, some of the written
data could not be associated with a specific location. The Peace
Dale report contained a series of policy recommendations for the
town including a local district commission to prioritize planning
objectives. Obviously, this section of the report must stand on
its own. While it would benefit from more widespread distribution
on the Internet, it cannot be directly related into a spatial GIS.
4. Access to multimedia
data — Many of the images collected for this project were
obtained from the archival files of the responsible agencies. Others
have been lost entirely since the production of the survey. Although
multimedia can be extremely useful in the municipal planning process,
it appears that the major cultural studies in Rhode Island have
regarded images as secondary to the conclusions presented in the
report.
5. Maintaining the
inventory — Part of the motivation for this project was
to improve on the static nature of traditional cultural inventories
which are prepared in written report format. If the cultural inventory
is not updated as parcel boundaries change, new reports are prepared,
and local residents gather more data defining their sense of place,
it will be little better than the dusty reports it replaces.
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Limitations