GIScience research at the 2021 Esri User Conference

The first six articles in this issue of Transactions GIS were gathered from a call for abstracts and will be presented two research sessions scheduled during the 2021 Esri User Conference. From 19 submitted, journal editors selected preparation as full articles. Each these manuscripts passed through usual peer review process final versions included here have been revised light both reviewers' editors' feedback. cover wide range topics address some fundamental concepts applications geographic information science variety perspectives. offers that authors hope expand solidify scope place-based GIS. second proposes privacy-preserving framework location recommendation using decentralized collaborative machine learning. third method to extract rules agent-based models movement data classification trees build data-driven simulations movements an olive baboon troop. fourth uses reconstruct spatiotemporal events narratives decide whether scenarios are conceivable (or not) narrative world. fifth convolutional neural networks buildings support humanitarian work. sixth new soft computing logic tool site suitability analysis. In article, by Vicente Tang Marco Painho, present literature describe distinct but overlapping frameworks scholars proposed bridge gap between space, place shows most studies focus on knowledge-based urban settings drawing human geography. This article synthesizes current state-of-the-art encourage conceptual methodological approaches Jinmeng Rao, Song Gao, Mingxiao Li, Qunying Huang, presents about transportation infrastructure, public safety, flow-based spatial interaction (similar traditional centralized learning approaches) keeps users' their own devices trains locally. then aggregates updates local model parameters via secure multi-party computation garner benefits among users while preserving privacy. Jugal Patel, Jeffrey Katan, Liliana Perez, Raja Sengupta, leverages determine environmental features associated with moving behaviors troop baboons Kenya. Their workflow performs path segmentation thresholding label training data, rule extraction associate relative Euclidian distance point behavior, implements provides toward set destinations. conclude noting is scalable it able larger more varied inputs future applications. Vincent van Altena, Jan Krans, Henk Bakker, Jantien Stoter, examines use examine scenario within least-cost analysis, network space-time cubes Paul’s escape Berea (Acts 17:14–15) they aforementioned methods can help modern reader better understand appreciate conceivability stories Dirk Tiede, Gina Schwendemann, Ahmad Alobaidi, Lorenz Wendt, Stefan Lang, Mask R-CNN deep approach Pléiades very high-resolution satellite imagery 1.2 million dwellings Khartoum, Sudan. strikes balance need timely COVID-19 pandemic accuracy result combining outputs three different tailored specific types buildings. work, which aimed organizations response pandemic, illustrates potential dwelling imagery. Shuoge Shen, Suzana Dragićević, Jozo Dujmović, extends scoring preference (LSP) general multicriteria evaluation implemented environment. used densification analysis Metro Vancouver Region, Canada, illustrate validate LSP.GIS method. results, turn, show how flexible sensitive generating outcomes bounded stakeholders’ goals requirements. These articles, taken whole, breadth depth scholarship best practice across settings, including GIS, workflows make recommendations, delineate wildlife mobility, assess suitability. Special thanks owed authors, especially those who provided reviews, helping move initial full, peer-reviewed just few months. I trust all involved see contributions bore fruit when you read thirtieth organized around several hosted given prominent its Conference program.