The development and applications of geographic information systems for urban and regional planning in the developing countries

Abstract

In the past 10 years, geographic information systems (GIS) have been widely used in urban and regional planning in the developed countries in Australia, North America and Europe. However, the use of GIS in urban and regional planning in the developing countries is limited and still at an early stage of development. This paper examines the current use of GIS in urban and regional planning in the developing countries in Asia. The major hindrances in the use of GIS in the developing countries is related not so much to the technology of GIS but more to data availability, leadership, organization structure and planning practice. For GIS to be more useful to urban and regional planning in the developing countries the development of a sustainable strategy in developing GIS and staff training is needed. International assistance agencies and GIS software companies can play an active role in making GIS available and usable to the planners in the developing countries.     

A GIS evaluation of land use dynamics and forest soil fertility in a watershed in Nepal

Abstract

A geographical information system (GIS) based study was carried out in a densely-populated watershed in Nepal. An evaluation of land use change between 1972 and 1990 indicated that there has been an increase in forest and agricultural land area and a decrease in shrubland and grassland area. GIS techniques were used to produce single and composite fertility index maps, which can be used for problem identification and planning. These maps indicate that forest soil fertility is generally poor in the watershed. GIS was found to be very beneficial in addressing critical resource issues in small watersheds in developing countries.     

Establishing a geographical information system in relation to its use A process of strategic choices†

Abstract

The planning and establishment of a geographical information system (GIS) relates to its context and intended use. GIS are a specialized type of information system, typically dealing with spatial data. This paper explores the environment of an envisaged GIS; the information utilization system and the wider object system. The planning and design of a GIS go beyond technical issues; they also have to take behavioural and organizational aspects of the utilization of information into account and contribute to a process of organizational development The paper is in two parts. The first (§ 2) explores salient aspects in the planning and design process, the second ( § 3) suggests some guidance in this task. The suggested approach of strategic choice in planning and establishing a GIS is designed to cope with the prevailing uncertainties in this planning process. It distinguishes between those decisions which have to be taken at once and choices which may be left open for the future.     

The economic evaluation of implementing a GIS

Abstract

Implementation of geographical information systems (GIS) involves a substantial commitment of resources by the sponsoring agency. Economic evaluation of the proposed GIS is an important step in the implementation process. This article discusses the traditional benefit cost analysis and suggests alternative approaches which may prove useful in situations where the benefit cost model may not be appropriate. A case study of an actual implementation of a GIS which illustrates the approaches discussed is also presented.     

How effective are GIS in practice? A case study of British local government

Abstract

GIS have received increasing attention in recent years, particularly in local government. Despite the claims in the literature about the potential of the technology, to date there is still little information on the impact GIS applications are having on the organizations in which they are being implemented. With these considerations in mind this paper presents an evaluation of the findings of twelve case studies which were undertaken in a variety of British local government contexts during 1991 and 1992.

The evaluation of the findings of the case studies is divided into two parts. The first part indicates the limited impact GIS has had on the local authorities investigated even after at least two years experience. Given these findings the second part seeks to identify the issues which appear to be responsible for inhibiting the effective implementation of GIS in British local government. Overall it is suggested that some organizational cultures are inherently receptive and able to sustain the development of innovations such as GIS. However, whilst very few organizations are inherently innovative it was possible to identify four factors which appeared to enhance the chances of success. These are simple applications producing information which is fundamental to the work of potential users, user directed implementation involving the participation of all the stakeholders in the project, an awareness of the limitations of the organization with respect to the range of available resources, and a high degree of stability with respect to the general organizational environment, or alternatively an ability to cope with change. As a result the evaluation indicates that if GIS are to be effectively implemented much greater consideration must be given to the impact of organizational issues.     

Is GIS appropriate technologyquest;

Abstract

Appropriate technology (AT) has become an integral part of the programmes for decentralized regional development in the Third World. ‘Appropriate’ techniques are usually low in capital costs; they can be maintained without a high level of expertise; and they do not involve patents, expensive copyrights and royalties. By these criteria a commercial geographical information system (GIS) is not an appropriate technology to be used in decentralized development However, the use of local renewable resources involves the adoption of end-use analysis for matching end-uses to specific sources so as to minimize the consumption of material and energy (i.e., minimize entropy). This matching requires much information which leads to what may be called the 'information-entropy trade-off; minimization of entropy requires an inverse increase in information. In this respect computers and GIS have an important contribution to make to decentralized regional planning. Drawing on a case study in Sri Lanka, this paper presents some ideas on how to incorporate GIS into local-level planning information systems.     

北京市土地利用总体规划执行情况的评价方法

象任何一种决策一样, 土地利用总体规划也存在与现实情况的不符之处。因此, 在开展新一轮规划修编时 前有必要对上一轮的规划执行情况进行评价, 为规划修编提供借鉴和参考。基于《北京市土地利用总体规划( 1997~ 2010 年) 实施评价》研究时收集的相关资料, 借助ARCGIS9.0 的空间分析功能, 利用GIS 的技术和方法, 在分析和 研究土地利用变化的基础上, 识别规划执行最关心的三种类型: 符合规划地块、超出规划地块和规划未实施地块, 并将三种类型的地块定位和定量地绘制在规划执行情况评价图上。作为一种探索, 作者设计了一套针对土地利用 总体规划执行情况评价的GIS 技术路线和方法。本方法具有简便、操作性强, 可进行常规性或经常性的规划执行情 况监测等特点。     

Tactile-map output from geographical information systems: the challenge and its importance

Abstract

The incorporation of the technology of geographic information systems (GIS) into a wide range of planning decisions makes it important that the visually handicapped have access to GIS-based map products to participate more fully in community decision making. Fortunately, GIS contain many procedures useful to the design of tactile maps, including changes of scale and simplification. Developing research opportunities are outlined within the context of the general problem. Tactile maps using microcapsule paper can be produced quickly, but they must be tested using visually handicapped subjects to ensure that suitable symbolization and specifications are developed.     

GIS in Bulgaria: development and perspectives

Abstract

The paper describes the present state of GIS in Bulgaria, points to some problems with its development, and puts forward several ideas about ways to improve the implementation and use of GIS in the country. Special stress is placed on the danger of centralizing GIS functions within the planning institutions of the national state, on the importance of GIS education, training and pilot projects for the future development of GIS, and the necessity to reduce the technological and informational gap between Western countries and Bulgaria.     

Social Applications of Geographical Information Systems: technical tools for social innovation

ABSTRACT

The establishment of the National Key Centre for Social Applications of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in 1995, under the directorship of Professor Graeme Hugo, was a turning point in the use of GIS in Australia. The field of GIS, previously dominated by environmental applications, now broadened its focus to include populations, services and the interactions between people and the environment. Social applications of GIS offered a unique opportunity to make service planning, reporting, funding allocations and research both smarter and fairer. Geography and geographic relationships as implemented in GIS became the integrating platform for social spatial information, invigorating social research, planning and policy. A key strength of this approach, recognised by Professor Hugo, was the ability to ‘put people back into the planning process’. Further to being an integrating platform, GIS also offered the ability to generate new information and knowledge, which could facilitate evidence-based decision making. This paper focuses in particular on providing a written record of the development of the Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) suite of spatial accessibility indices. The lasting legacy and continued relevance of this work in social applications of GIS is also reviewed in this paper, with reference to key examples of how social research and planning in Australia have been made both smarter and fairer through the contributions of Professor Hugo and his team.     

Bridging the knowledge divide between public and experts using PGIS for land use planning in Malaysia

Ineffective public participation in land-use planning contributes to the lack of communication and understanding between the public and experts, acting as a barrier to successful planning outcomes. In this study, we assess whether Participatory GIS (PGIS) is a suitable method to bridge the communication gap between the public and expert knowledge for planning in the developing country context of Malaysia. Through a mixed methods approach, we investigate whether expert knowledge converges or diverges with the public's perceived knowledge obtained through a PGIS process and assess the potential benefits of PGIS from public and expert planning perspectives. The results indicate more convergence than divergence in knowledge and perspective, indicating that a PGIS process can communicate local knowledge to planning authorities to inform land use and development planning in Malaysia. Both the public and planning experts recognize the potential benefits of PGIS, but successful implementation will require major changes in traditional Malaysian public participation processes.     

Parallel polygon line shading: the quest for more computational power from an existing GIS algorithm

Abstract

Utilising the powerful resources of a parallel computer has become a technique available to the GIS software engineer for increasing the performance of such complex software systems. This paper discusses the effectiveness of both automatic and manual parallelising techniques with a view to making an assessment as to whether the inherent sequential structure of GIS software is a detrimental factor inhibiting the use of such techniques. With the aid of the Scan Line Fill (SLF) algorithm in GIMMS, it has been shown that whilst automated parallelization has no merits in this case, a significant performance benefit can be achieved with algorithm redesign at the macro level to exploit the natural geometric parallelism inherent within the algorithm. However, the results illustrate that the full potential of this approach will not be appreciated until the I/O bottleneck is completely overcome, as opposed to merely avoided.     

Tools for Developing Short-Term Study Abroad Classes for Geography Studies

Abstract

Short-term international field study is an attractive alternative for many students to traditional, longer-term study abroad programs. We present a discussion of critical planning, administrative, and curricular elements related to the development and implementation of such courses. In doing so, we share a number of checklists and planning tools that other instructors may find helpful in the context of developing their own international field studies courses. In addition, we provide representative examples and experiences from two short-term international courses taught by the authors in the Geography Department at Shippensburg University.     

The application of spatial data processing to land use conflict resolution in the lal lal water catchment of the Ballarat growth corridor: a case study from chapter one of the Buninyong planning scheme

Land use conflict within the Lal Lal Water Catchment is between landowners, the Shire, the Water Board and those directing regional pressures for development. It is exacerbated by inconsistency in building permit appraisal outcomes. The deliberations involved would clearly have benefited from access to spatial data sets through use of a Geographical Information System (GIS) during applications appraisal, in that inconsistencies are most obvious when mapped in relation to the criteria applied. GIS methodologies would ensure that information of a high standard was produced. Three strategic points are identified for the implementation of GIS: at the planning scheme formulation stage; the permit application stage; and the formal conflict resolution stage. Reference to GIS at the first two stages presupposes the existence of a local government area (LGA) spatial data base and a GIS/LIS that can output overlay maps. Application of GIS at the third stage is somewhat ‘after the event’. This study suggests that without such a regional review of the spatial patterns of permit appraisal criteria (including overland flow modelling) each appeal or negotiation is likely to yield an outcome that is inconsistent in relation to other cases. An LGA planning office maintaining a GIS with all layers relating to these criteria will have assembled its spatial data according to the requirements of its planning scheme and will make most use of it in a GIS at the permit appraisal stage.     

Issues of implementing a spatiotemporal system

Abstract

The leap from an atemporal to a temporal geographical information system involves issues that can be solved only by understanding precisely what information a particular organization wishes to represent. Uncertainty, incomplete information and budgetary realities combine to present a spatiotemporal system's implementors with difficult choices. No right or wrong approach exists in these cases; rather, the solutions are based on what information is required and how an organization chooses to maintain it. The major issues involve representation, updates and longevity. Concerning representation, a system can use timestamps to describe the last time a feature was checked for correctness, or the last time the feature changed; feature histories can be traced in aggregate or individually; retrieval of past states may require some generalization over time; and many features need not be tracked temporally. Concerning incremental updates, set–up time and contention must be minimized; continual updates of geometry produce artifacts and edge effects; and incremental dissemination of updates requires careful coordination. Finally, because temporal systems are intended for posterity, ensuring that data will be useful to future generations is paramount.     

Technical Note The b-function and variable stream buffer mapping: a note on ‘A GIS method for riparian water quality buffer generation’

Abstract

Mapping variable stream buffers in a vector environment in which buffer width values are delineated often yields inaccurate results. Possible vector solutions are either ineffective or inefficient, An alternate raster approach is presented here in which a buffer effectiveness-achievement function (b-function) is introduced to map desirable buffer zones at an individual cell level based upon areal differentiations in physical and ecological conditions. The implementation of b-function is made feasible by a GIS procedure devised in this article. This tested method can be extended to a variety of variable buffer studies, such as visual buffers, noise buffers, greenways, and urban natural buffers.

‘A robe can never be made of the fur from one fox's axillae’ (A Chinese idiom).     

Coordinating hazardous waste management activities using geographical information systems

Abstract

This paper describes a framework for the role of geographical information systems (GIS) in the monitoring and management of hazardous waste sites. Compilation of required information, incorporation of existing strategies for waste monitoring, analysis of these data in a GIS environment and the integration of computerized models for transport processes are discussed. Examples for the analysis of spatial data using techniques of cartographic overlay and the implementation of geo-statistical methods on monitoring data are provided from work in progress by the authors. These examples are set in the context of developing a fully integrated monitoring and management system utilizing GIS technology.     

GIS应用开发方法回顾与展望

学术界有多种GIS开发方法,但每种方法都有其适用场合和优缺点。该文总结常见的软件开发方法和GIS实施文献,讨论GIS开发管理框架并展望该领域的研究方向。建议GIS、信息系统、管理科学等领域的学者进行协作,通过一定规模的问卷调查和个人访谈进行GIS项目案例研究,总结中国GIS开发中存在的问题和积累的经验;在此基础上撰写适合中国组织、管理与文化背景的GIS开发指南。     

Guidelines for demonstrating geographical information systems based on participatory development

Abstract

The transfer of GIS technology has not met with uniform success in lesser-developed countries. It has been argued that this may be due to many efforts being technology-driven rather than demand-driven. In agricultural development, technology is transferred through a demand-driven participatory approach which incorporates the ultimate recipients of the technology in the design, implementation and evaluation of projects. A project to demonstrate the use of GIS technology for wasteland development in India involving seven Indian research institutes was undertaken by the U.S. Agency for International Development. In the Indian GIS demonstration, technical approaches proposed by each institute were largely technology-driven. To counter this tendency, a set of evaluation criteria or guidelines based on the participatory approach was developed to refine proposals.