Driving Informed Decision-Making with Spatial Analytics & Visualization!
Welcome to the Spatial Analytics and Visualization Institute (SAVI) page, an official SJSU Campus Institute in the California State University system. We are the only CSU Institute in Northern California to implement advanced GISci techniques for inclusive development, environmental health, and civic infrastructure research and education! SAVI uses the power of geography and Geographic Information Science to provide impactful research and professional services that optimize resource distribution, enhance social mobility, and uphold democratic values to serve the Silicon Valley and Bay Area communities.
News
SAVI Hosts Expert Panel on Artificial Intelligence and the Future of City Governance
The Spatial Analytics and Visualization Institute (SAVI) at San José State University hosted *Artificial Intelligence and the Future of City Governance: Opportunities, Risks, and Real-World Pathways* at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in downtown San José. The event brought together researchers, public officials, students, and industry leaders to explore how AI, geospatial analytics, and emerging technologies are reshaping urban planning, mobility, public services, and city governance. Speakers highlighted opportunities for smarter, more equitable cities while addressing critical challenges around data privacy, transparency, and algorithmic bias. The discussion reflected SAVI’s commitment to advancing innovative, data-driven solutions for more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive communities.
Featured Project
Past Events
Coastal ecosystems and eelgrass habitats provide important services to the marine environment, including primary production, carbon storage, nutrient cycling, habitat for fisheries species, and erosion control. UASs with high spatial resolution, temporal flexibility, and cost-effectiveness for repeat photogrammetry, afford a significant advancement in other remote sensing approaches for coastal mapping, habitat monitoring, and environmental management. They provide essentially on-demand remote sensing at low cost and with reduced human risk. Drone imagery will be collected at least annually in coordination with in situ samplings which will also be used to validate the imagery by ground-truthing across a range of points within each meadow. Because eelgrass extent in some regions is subtidal and challenging to visualize from the air, we utilize DJI Phantom 4 Pro (RGB) and DJI Inspire (multispectral) drones and related drone mapping technology through Esri Drone2Map. Each year, ideally we allocate 4-6 days at each site for each drone mission to maximize ideal conditions for collecting drone imagery, striving for lowest spring tides, and calm, bright conditions with roughly vertical sunlight.
