Principles of Geographic Information System

Emmanuel P. SambaleEnvironment Planning & Management

Toolbox-based

a powerful set of tools for collecting, storing, retrieving at will, transforming and displaying spatial data from real the world (Burrough 1986)

a system for capturing, storing, checking, manipulating, analysing and displaying data which are spatially referenced to the Earth (Department of Environment 1988)

an information technology which stores, analyses, and displays both spatial and non-spatial data (Parker 1988)

Database

a database system in which most of the data are spatially indexed, and upon which a set of procedures operated in order to answer queries about spatial entities in the database (Smith et al. 1987)

any manual or computer based set of procedures used to store and manipulate geographically referenced data (Aronoff 1989)

Organization-based

an automated set of functions that provides professionals with advanced capabilities for the storage, retrieval, manipulation and display of geographically located data (Ozemay, Smith, and Sicherman 1981)an institutional entity, reflecting an organizational structure that integrates technology with a database, expertise and continuing support over time (Carter 1989)a decision support system involving the the integration of spatially referenced data in a problem solving environment (Cowen 1988)

Definition

“GIS is an organized collection of computer, hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information.”

what relation exist between road and river network?

pattern: river interrupts road network

what if a new built-up area is created here?

models: will affect traffic intensity what has changed?

trends: growth of urban area

what is the name of this factory?

identification

where is the city hall?

location: xy = 1764, 3180

what is the the shortest route between A & B?

optional path: start at A, go left at …

What questions can GIS answer?

P  e  o  p  l  e

M  e  t  h  o  d

D a  t  a

S o f t w a r e

H a r d w a r e

Basic Data Models

Vector Data Model

Raster Data Model

Current applications

Agriculture – monitoring & management from farm to national levelArcheology – site description & scenario evaluationEnvironment – monitoring, modelling & management of land degradation; land evaluation & rural planning; landslides; desertification; water quality & quantity; plagues; air quality; weather & climate modelling & prediction

Current applications

Forestry – management, planning, & optimizing extraction & plantingEmergency services – optimizing fire, police & ambulance routing; improve understanding of crime & its locationNavigation – air, sea & landMarketing – site location & target groups; optimizing goods delivery

Current applications

Real estate – legal aspects of the cadastre, property values in relation to location, insuranceRegional & local planning – development of plans, costing, maintenance, managementRoad & rail – planning & managementSite evaluation & costing – cut & fill, computing volumes of material

Current applications

Social studies – analysis of demographic movements and developmentsTourism – location & management of facilities and attractionsUtilities – location, management & planning of water, drains, gas, electricity, telephone, cable services.

explore presentanalyze

GIS provides you the tools to … 

information about our world.

ReferencesBernhardsen, Tor. 1999. Geographic Information System, 2nd EditionBurrough, PA. & McDonnel R. A. 1998. Principles of Geographic Information System. New York: Oxford University Press.Davis, Bruce. 2001. GIS: A Visual Approach, 2nd EditionESRI 2001. GIS for Higher Education – Across the Campus and Around the World IDL Demo 5.5Kraak, MJ, Ormeling, FJ. 1996. Cartography: Visualization of Spatial DataRajan, Mohan Sundara. 1991. Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System for Natural Resource Management, ADBVarious GIS sites

License of this Document

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Emmanuel P. Sambale. November, 2006

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