1. The New Development of Spatial Explorer of Religion New Information, New Technology and New Directions Shuming Bao China Data Center University of Michigan

2. “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.
Plans:
Research References Collection
Research System Development
Research Training
Features:
Accessibility
Usability
Expandability
Free
for those who are willing to share 2

3. Topics Introduction Data Methodology Technology Case Studies
Future Plans

4. 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, ….) 4

5. II. Data Religious 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, …… 5

6. II. Methodology Report Analysis Site Analysis Location Analysis
Trend Analysis
Statistical Analysis
Space-Time Analysis
Graphic Analysis
Map Visualization
GIS
ESDA
Spatial Analysis
Statistical
Analysis

7. III. Technology An Integration of Information, Methodology and Knowledge supported by Spatial Intelligence Technology +
Methodology +
knowledge
Information
Technology
DATA RS
GIS

8. Spatial Explorer of Religion Spatial Intelligence for Space-Time Data Integration and Analysis
Statistics
Charts
Tables
Reports
Census
Maps
GIS

9. Spatial Explorer of Religion

10. 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

11. Report Analysis
Select by map
Select by administrative units 11

12. Site Analysis

13. Location Analysis Select by X & Y coordinates
Select by locations on map 13

14. Trend Analysis

15. Graphic Analysis

16. Statistical Analysis 16

17. Space-Time Analysis

18. Data Export 18

19. Map Export

20. 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

21. Spatial Distribution of Religious Sites by Province
Christianity
Buddhism
Daoism
Islam

22. Spatial Correlation between Religions

23. Religion and Economic Growth Ben 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?

24. Religion and Migration Changzhen Wang, Wuhan University
Literature: Religion discourage out-migration
Test: Will the regions with more religious sites discourage out/in migration?

25. Religion and Urbanization Xiaodong 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?

26. Religion and International Trade Tai Guo, Central University of Finance and Economics
Literature: International trade help spread religion
Test: The impact of international trade on religious distribution and growth

27. Religion and Culture Xing 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.

28. Religion and Culture Yayuan 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.

29. What We Can Learn from the Spatial Study of Religion?
Read time on space
Recognize spatial barriers
Analyze data with incomplete information
Future Plans:
Integration of more data sources
Derived data structure
Expanded function for structural analysis
Multiple versions: public, library, research

30. Building A Global Network for Spatial Study of Religion and Society
Involvement – interaction - international