Geographic Information System Project Research Articles

Participatory geographic information systems use in Copan Ruinas, Honduras: the development and evaluation of an environmental restoration public participatory Geographic Information System project

Sustainable development is the challenge of the 21st century, and public administration will play a part in finding new ways of meeting human needs within the constraints of natural resource systems. The nature of sustainable development has led to expanded forms of governance and new partnerships among non-governmental organizations (NGOs), non-profits, and governments at all levels. This paper examines a participatory geographic information system project being developed in Copan Ruinas, Honduras and its effect on the community stakeholders. pecifically, the participatory geographic information system project will focus on the development of a geodatabase and usable maps that integrate: small-scale (less than five hectares on average) agroforestry projects, and highland habitat restoration projects. During this research, we will focus on the geographic information system project, public participation and how the project meets the standards of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) pillars of participation and core values.

Metadata de la información geográfica alfanumérica pública y gratuita en Cataluña

La disponibilidad de información geográfica en formato digital en Cataluña es cada vez mayor, particularmente la información consistente en tablas alfanuméricas con campos referenciables en el territorio (como la dirección postal o la sección censal fundamentalmente). Sin embargo, no toda la metadata («información sobre la información») correspondiente no se publica ni tampoco se actualiza. La disponibilidad de la metadata es necesaria para la difusión de la información geográfica y para el desarrollo de proyectos de Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG). En este artículo se propone un esquema de metadata de información digital alfanumérica correspondiente a Cataluña, a partir del denominado Plan Estadístico de Cataluña, publicado por el Boletín Oficial del Estado. Se presentan también diversas aplicaciones que muestran el poder de los SIG para representar cartográficamente grandes cantidades de registros alfanuméricos y la funcionalidad de estos sistemas en tareas de «geomarketing» y de gestión urbanística.

The world's largest oil and gas hydrocarbon deposits: ROSA database and GIS project development

This article proposes the use of Big Data principles to support the future extraction of hydrocarbon resources. It starts out by assessing the possible energy-system transformations in order to shed some light on the future need for hydrocarbon resource extraction and corresponding drilling needs. The core contribution of this work is the development of a new database and the corresponding GIS (geographic information system) visualization project as basis for an analytical study of worldwide hydrocarbon occurrences and development of extraction methods. The historical period for the analytical study is from 1900 to 2000. A number of tasks had to be implemented to develop the database and include information about data collection, processing, and development of geospatial data on hydrocarbon deposits. Collecting relevant information made it possible to compile a list of hydrocarbon fields, which have served as the basis for the attribute database tables and its further filling. To develop an attribute table, the authors took into account that all accumulated data features on hydrocarbon deposits and divided them into two types: static and dynamic. Static data included the deposit parameters that do not change over time. On the other hand, dynamic data are constantly changing. Creation of a web service with advanced functionality based on the Esri Geoportal Server software platform included search by parameter presets, viewing and filtering of selected data layers using online mapping application, sorting of metadata, corresponding bibliographic information for each field and keywords accordingly. The collected and processed information by ROSA database and GIS visualization project includes more than 100 hydrocarbon fields across different countries.

Five classes of geospatial data and the barriers to using them

AbstractGeospatial technologies implemented through the World Wide Web (Geoweb) have improved steadily over the last decade. This Geoweb has the potential to allow citizens to collect and use geospatial data in an effort to influence urban planning in a bottom‐up manner—a stark departure from traditional top‐down public consultation in urban planning. This article reviews five classes of geospatial data available to citizens trying to influence urban planning.These classes have been reviewed in the academic literature before, but not at the same time and not with respect to urban planning. Looking at them together allows for examination of the interconnection as well as the boundaries between them. This paper establishes an understanding of these Geoweb data classes and examines the main barriers citizens face when trying to use geospatial data—with a focus on technological and financial barriers. Despite improvements in the Geoweb that help in reducing these barriers, preliminary evidence suggests that the voices of citizens are still not being fully heard in urban planning.This article tells the story of a Geoweb project by Paths for People, a biking and walking advocacy group in Edmonton, Canada. Paths for People initiated a Public Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) project to inform the development of biking infrastructure in Edmonton, but this was largely ignored by city council, which adopted a top‐down cycling plan. This paper highlights the large gap between the promises of the Geoweb, the current practice of urban planning, and grassroots capabilities of this form of community engagement.

Where Are We? The Method of Mapping with GIS in Digital Humanities

Where Are We? The Method of Mapping with GIS in Digital Humanities Jen Jack Gieseking (bio) For decades, the "spatial turn" has shaped and been shaped by the thinking of scholars and students in American studies in regard to the production, meaning, and experience of space and place. The "digital turn" soon followed and intertwined with the previous twist: "The recent embrace of GIS and other digital tools by the traditionally technology-averse disciplines of English and history is connected to the theoretical recognition of the importance of spatiality."1 Thousands of mapping projects using geographic information systems in the digital humanities have become increasingly online, interactive, and critical over the years.2 What is the state of GIS in the digital humanities, and what is next? In other words, where are we? And where can we go from here? Geographic information systems can best be described as computer software to design maps and the spatial analysis of geospatial data, that is data that include a location.3 GIS is therefore a tool used to produce maps and not a method unto itself; to describe GIS as a method implies that the software will collect the data and evidence for the research project and conduct the analysis. The display and analysis of geospatial data (i.e., data that include a location) revolve around the selection and application of colors, symbols, and spatial statistics to identify patterns, themes, and trends. While the term spatial humanities has sometimes been used to describe the use of GIS in the digital humanities, it also evokes a broader meaning of the study of geography in the humanities. I use the term DH GIS to refer specifically to GIS in the digital humanities.4 The approach of GIS projects in the digital humanities often repeats Karen Kemp and Ruth Mostern's assertion that GIS was designed in a way to require "scholars to change their methods to suit technology, rather than making the technology work for them."5 In this brief essay, I draw on my experience as a cultural geographer and digital humanist to address what I identify as the five major issues/possibilities for the state of DH GIS. I build these five points from examples of DH GIS. The purpose of digital humanities is not merely the production of data visualizations or archives alone but the critical production [End Page 641] and analysis of these materials. As such, I argue that digital humanities scholars in American studies are in a unique position to contribute to the growth and development of GIS and, in so doing, the growth of spatial thinking in and beyond the humanities. Reworking GIS beyond the Military and Corporate Industrial Complexes As Caren Kaplan and others have noted, GIS was created as a military technology and is now also equally embraced as a tool to further capitalism: Two primary ways in which militarization operates in U.S. contemporary culture are the pervasive use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the primary model of data collection, sorting, and storage in use for over thirty years, and the practice of so-called target marketing, a geographically based form of classifying neighborhoods through subsets of demographic information.6 Building from Kaplan's arguments, Siva Vaidhyanathan carries this point farther and adds that "technologies that we purchase as tools of access, choice, opportunity, and freedom, Kaplan asserts, actually acculturate us to an invisible rigidity by keeping us always logged on, always present and accounted for."7 Collection of mobile geospatial data has transformed target marketing to what you have bought, liked, posted, and read. In 2017 Republican members of Congress introduced bills that would prohibit the collection, storage, access, and distribution of geospatial data regarding race or public housing, including the US Census.8 The ASA and other organizations signed statements condemning these bills, which have not passed.9 Corporations the likes of Target also issued complaints, as they rely on geospatial data to map and, therefore, spatially profile target markets, using race, class, gender, and other census data, as well as data from other sources.10 I add that choosing to accept the affordances and design of GIS-as-is only replicates the militarization...

Integrazione tra cartografia storica e moderna per lo studio dell'evoluzione di alcuni quartieri di Napoli tra il XVI e il XXI sec

In geographical science, data derived from historical sources can be effective for urban studies and for planning strategies. The antique maps are a fundamental thematic layer for the understanding of the urban dynamic structure of a City. In this work the results obtained from the comparative analysis of historical maps (1575, 1772 and 1800), orthophotos of 2000 and the Regional Technical Map (CTR) of 2006 in the city of Naples are presented.To achieve this goal several stages have been carefully implemented: research and acquisition of historical and recent maps; organization of a Geographical Information System project to manage raster dataset; geo-referencing of maps and analysis of thematic layers. The results allow to evaluate the urban evolution of the city through its monuments and buildings.

A diabetes mellitus tipo 2 na área metropolitana do Porto: o risco de uma realidade amarga provocada também pelo (des)ordenamento território

A diabetes tipo 2 (DM) é uma doença metabólica com uma componente genética mas muito determinada pelo estilo de vida que já evidencia na Área Metropolitana do Porto custos individuais, sociais e económicos muito elevados e bastante graves. Todavia, para por cobro a este flagelo e medicar uma mudança de estilo de vida elaboramos em Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG), um projeto que nos permitisse combinar as características das 266 freguesias e construir o Índice de Privação para o Risco de Aparecimento de DM, uma ferramenta essencial a considerar no ordenamento de territórios mais saudáveis.

Putting fossils on the map: Applying a geographical information system to heritage resources

A geographical information system (GIS) database was compiled of Permo-Triassic tetrapod fossils from the Karoo Supergoup in South African museum collections. This database is the first of its kind and has great time applicability for understanding tetrapod biodiversity change though time more than 200 million years ago. Because the museum catalogues all differed in recorded information and were not compliant with field capture requirements, this information had to be standardised to a format that could be utilised for archival and research application. Our paper focuses on the processes involved in building the GIS project, capturing metadata on fossil collections and formulating future best practices. The result is a multi-layered GIS database of the tetrapod fossil record of the Beaufort Group of South Africa for use as an accurate research tool in palaeo- and geoscience research with applications for ecology, ecosystems, stratigraphy and basin development.

A first overview of open access digital data for the Ross Sea: complexities, ethics, and management opportunities

It is now understood that the Ross Sea stands as one of the last relatively pristine (ocean) areas. Many decades of international research have been carried out under the Antarctic Treaty System stipulating that data acquired under this scheme must be shared with the global community. In line with Carlson (Nature 469:293, 2011, Polar Research 10.3402/polar.v32i0.20789, 2013), we find little evidence of enforcement towards making digital geographic information systems (GIS) project data available online for the wider Ross Sea ecosystem. While it is possible to find easily >40 digital datasets for most areas and pixels worldwide, despite many decades of research in the Ross Sea, only app. 100 digital datasets can be found for the study area. It simply shows that data from many studies in the region are not available. High-quality population and trend data explicit in space and time are mostly missing in the public realm, e.g., from the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR.org). This presents an ethical dilemma because it still appears that sufficient data exist for a pro-active and pre-cautionary management of this region. No coherent and efficient management scheme truly exists and is applied for this precious part of the world now heavily affected by global stressors and mismanagement of data and resources.

Extending Metadata Standards for Historical GIS Research

This article proposes a structure for handling commonly observed uncertainties in geo-historical data, using as case studies two historical geographical information systems (HGIS) projects that interweave historical research with the geography of genocide. The first case involves the ghettoization of Budapest's Jews during the Holocaust in the second half of 1944. The more recent work, and the second case, covers the Armenian genocide spanning most of WWI and several years afterwards. The authors suggest using existing metadata standards as one way of handling the inherent uncertainties of geo-historical sources. While not a definitive solution, they argue that such an approach provides a starting point and a platform to conceptually frame the use of geo-historical data in HGIS.

The factors and criteria for prioritization of GIS utilization by libraries

Purpose – This paper aims to identify the impressive factors on choosing the type of the libraries and information centers and determining their significance and prioritizing them and finally determining the priority of each type according to the identified factors to implement geographic information system (GIS) in the library researches. Design/methodology/approach – A combination of documentary, Delphi and analytic methods was used in the current study. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the topic in mind, different dimensions of the issue were firstly identified through reviewing the research literature. Then, the Delphi panel was formed and the factors and indices for choosing and prioritizing the libraries were extracted and finally the analytic-hierarchy and Topsis method was used for analyzing and ranking the data which were collected through a questionnaire. In this way, the instrument was devised by the researcher and the population under the study consisted of the professors in two fields of LIS and the GIS. The criteria include the “access to the library”, “being active”, “the number of sources”, “the size and space of the place”, “the library equipment”, “compatibility” each one include eight, seven, five, five, two and five factors, respectively. Findings – In the Delphi study, six factors including 32 indices were determined for prioritizing the libraries to implement the GIS in the library researches. The analytic-hierarchy method was applied to compare the factors correspondingly in terms of the degree of their significance. In this way, “access to the library sources”, “being active”, “the number of sources”, “the size and space of the place”, “the library equipment” and “compatibility” were identified as the factors on choosing the library type with the values of 0.39, 0.24, 0.16, 0.08, 0.07 and 0.06, respectively. Then, several types of the libraries were ranked and the findings show that academic libraries are prioritized as the first one for conducting the GIS projects. Originality/value – Employing the factors resulted from the conducted researches is recommended for choosing the libraries to implement the GIS, so that the researches in this interdisciplinary field become more organized. To extend the current study, the extracted factors and indices can be sent to the professors of the LIS from the other countries to elicit their insights and thereby, designing a standard international checklist for choosing the libraries and information centers in the GIS projects.

A Model for Measuring Geographic Information Systems Success

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become a fact of our life as they are being used by more people and organizations for more complex decision problems than ever before. The use of GIS can achieve valuable benefits for individuals, organizations and society; however, the achieve- ment of these benefits depends on the success of GIS. While information systems (IS) success mod- els have received much attention among researchers, there is a general scarcity of research con- ducted to measure the GIS success. This paper proposes a success model for measuring GIS success by extending and modifying previous IS success models. The developed success model consists of two main levels: GIS project diffusion success, and GIS post-implementation success. The first level identifies the critical success factors (CSFs) that influence the success of GIS adoption at each stage of the diffusion process. The second level of the proposed model identifies and organizes the suc- cess dimensions (outcome measures) of GIS in temporal and causal relationships. In order to as- sess the relationships among the success dimensions, 11 hypotheses were tested. Data were col- lected through a questionnaire that was distributed to 252 GIS users/managers in Egypt and abroad. The empirical results support 6 hypotheses and reject 5 hypotheses.

Reproduction of Remote Sensing Image Using Supervised Mode of Learning Using Artificial Neural Network

Remote sensing is the science of gathering information from a location that is distant from the source. Image analysis is the technique of extracting and interpreting meaningful information from a remotely sensed image. The information from an image may be extracted with the help of computer software or be visually considered. Images like such can be acquired in the form of aerial photograph, a multispectral satellite image, Light Detection and Ranging data, a radar data or a thermal image. Remote sensing is a dynamic technical field of endeavor. This paper is based on the technique involved in mapping of Geographic Information System projects.

A Survey of the Effective Factors on Success or Failure of Executing Geographical Information Systems by Multiple - Criteria Decision Making Techniques

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are taken into attention more by development of complexity and projects dimensions. Thus, appropriate selection of required system, successful implementation and effective use of these systems are the concerns of top managers and managers of IT of all organizations. Thus, implementation and execution of such systems is one of the main concerns in success of such systems. The present study attempted to investigate the success of GIS project success by review of literature and analytical methods. Also, it attempted to evaluate the main factors of project failure (relevant risks) to have successful implementation by managing them. For data collection, library and field study (questionnaire) were used. Ranking of the agreed factors of experts to identify success or failure of execution was done using Analytical Hierarchy Analysis (AHP) method. This decision making method is based on pairwise comparison. To investigate the mutual effects, Dematel method was used. To investigate the effective factors on success or failure of GIS projects, hypotheses were tested. It can be said various factors with different weights are effective on various signs of failure of GIS execution. Indeed, all main factors as organization condition, Geography, human resources,

Smartphones Based Mobile Mapping Systems

Abstract. The past 20 years have witnessed an explosive growth in the demand for geo-spatial data. This demand has numerous sources and takes many forms; however, the net effect is an ever-increasing thirst for data that is more accurate, has higher density, is produced more rapidly, and is acquired less expensively. For mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) projects, this has been achieved through the major development of Mobile Mapping Systems (MMS). MMS integrate various navigation and remote sensing technologies which allow mapping from moving platforms (e.g. cars, airplanes, boats, etc.) to obtain the 3D coordinates of the points of interest. Such systems obtain accuracies that are suitable for all but the most demanding mapping and engineering applications. However, this accuracy doesn't come cheaply. As a consequence of the platform and navigation and mapping technologies used, even an "inexpensive" system costs well over 200 000 USD. Today's mobile phones are getting ever more sophisticated. Phone makers are determined to reduce the gap between computers and mobile phones. Smartphones, in addition to becoming status symbols, are increasingly being equipped with extended Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities, Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) inertial sensors, extremely powerful computing power and very high resolution cameras. Using all of these components, smartphones have the potential to replace the traditional land MMS and portable GPS/GIS equipment. This paper introduces an innovative application of smartphones as a very low cost portable MMS for mapping and GIS applications.

Shoreline change mapping along the coast of Galicia, Spain

This study was concerned with shoreline change and cliff recession. Galicia (north-west Spain) comprises a very energetic and diversified coast. The study focused on the analysis of the coastal dynamics and the spatio-temporal changes of coastal morphology for the years 1956, 2003, 2006 and 2008, using the digital shoreline analysis system (DSAS) extension. Estimation of the rates of erosion and accretion along the pilot site (Fisterra/Finisterre area) was performed. In addition, a continuous coastline along Galicia was integrated into a geographical information system project which comprises an interactive database with key information. A coastal susceptibility map (erosion/accretion) was created based on the DSAS results for the short-term approach and cross-checked with knowledge of the area in terms of geology, geomorphology and landslide occurrences. Aspects related to the engineering solutions, land-use planning or environmental management were considered in the recommended strategy, as well as the impact and disturbance severity analysis for each action used. This research was developed to provide useful information about the Galicia territory and to give reliable data for the coastal management plan supported by the council. Such plan addresses some changes to the coastal policy and encourages future issues.

Environmental, cultural, and social change in Arctic Alaska as observed by Iñupiat elders over their lifetimes: a GIS synthesis

Since 2003 our research team has been interviewing Iñupiat elders and incorporating their indigenous knowledge (IK) about the environment into a specially designed Geographic Information System (GIS). We present a synthesis of the climate and landscape change information shared during the IK GIS project. We also summarize observations, which are not geographically specific and thus not expressible as GIS data points. We present several analyses of our dataset to date. These include a frequency analysis of the topically classified geocoded observations based on elder interviews, a summary of the geographic distribution of those observations, and a discussion of non-georeferenced observations. We identify several themes that IK holders and elders felt were crucial to record and discuss. Many of these observations include environmental, cultural, and historical knowledge, and reflect the perception that their world has substantially changed in the course of their lifetimes.

Turnaround Challenges of a State-owned Enterprise: A Case Study of Orissa Remote Sensing Application Centre, India

Orissa Remote Sensing Applications Centre (ORSAC), an autonomous technology organization established by the Government of Orissa, had grown tremendously; developing competencies in the fields of remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS) and space technology. Since ORSAC was established by the Government of Orissa, ORSAC’s relationship with the state, Department of Science (DoS), National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) and Space Application Centre (SAC) helped it to secure remote sensing and GIS projects effortlessly, thereby ensuring a steady revenue stream for ORSAC during the early days of its inception. Upon assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Amiya Kumar Mohapatra, an Indian Forest Service officer, realized that he was unable to bring desired changes within the organization. Low motivation amongst the employees prevented the organization from growing and winning large-scale projects. ORSAC faced stiff competition from private players and other government agencies in the ever-advancing remote sensing and GIS market in India. The CEO realized that dependence on the government for patronage and funding had had a detrimental impact on ORSAC. The organization was unable to recognize the need for developing competencies in marketing its products and services to users until it was too late, and it had already lost large-scale projects in the manufacturing industry to private players. However, an increase in the salary expenses and the salary shortfall in comparison with Department of Science and Technology funding was forcing ORSAC to sustain its operational expenses by securing more projects from the open market. The organization was facing diverse challenges ranging from high operating costs, especially salary expenses, to low productivity of employees, which were affecting ORSAC’s competitiveness negatively. Additionally, the organization faced a near-permanent recruitment ban by the state government preventing it from sourcing key competencies from the market to keep pace with the changing technologies and customer demands. Thus, this case study aims to present diverse challenges of a state-owned enterprise by highlighting internal factors such as structural, financial and human resource challenges, as well as external factors such as technological change and competition in the industry, which influences organizational competitiveness and makes organizational turnaround a difficult task.

Efficient Management and Application of National Borehole Data in Korea

The paradigm of Geographic Information Systems is shifting toward the development of National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) because of the national value of spatial data. The Korean Government started the National Geographic Information System project in 1995 and began to develop NSDI in 2008. Because of the importance of underground spatial data, as well as the high cost and difficulty of obtaining such data, it is important to standardize underground geospatial data. It is expected that underground spatial data will be included in the NSDI, given the likely future expansion of NSDI data sets. Such underground information can be divided into data related to construction and data related to resource development. Standardization has been separately attempted in both of these fields, but insufficient studies exist on standardization across the fields. In the present study, we propose a scheme for a national standard underground spatial information database. As an example of the application of a standard database, we developed several application systems, including an information system that operates in the Web environment and a system that operates in the mobile environment. Because infrastructure for mobile communications in South Korea is rapidly expanding, there exist high expectations regarding the usability of mobile systems. Therefore, we developed some creative functions to assist with fieldwork in a mobile system, including mobile phones implementing augmented reality. The proposed system is expected to assist with the integrated management of underground geospatial information in the fields of construction and resource development at the national level.

Getting Started with GIS: A LITA Guide

According to Eva Dodsworth, geographic information systems (GIS) can be defined as “a social, organizational and communication tool” (p. xi). The author indicates that her goal with this book is to provide readers with mapping knowledge and technology and teaching skills. Dodsworth provides a companion website to this text that provides additional resources and hands-on tutorials. While the potential use of GIS in a health or medical library setting will become apparent to most readers, it is also obvious that the use of GIS is not a quick undertaking. If you decide to take on a GIS project, you will need to outline your project, learn and play with the selected GIS program, and create your finished project. This is not written to scare you, but rather to reinforce the fact that time will be invested in a GIS project. The author takes the time in the first chapter to give a quick history of the development of cartography from traditional use to incorporation into the classroom, social media, literature, and libraries. Dodsworth introduces the statement that GIS is a skill that library staff needs to know to help their patrons as well as incorporate into library services and programs. She follows this up with examples of libraries using Google Earth for various library purposes and examples of how users are using GIS in their personal or professional lives. The reader progresses from the introduction of mapping and applications, to an entire chapter of hands-on tutorials that give step-by-step screen capture illustrations. She introduces and explains static maps, and these explanations are helpful for determining how and when to start a GIS project. Dodsworth also details what GIS data are and how to take existing library collections and turn them into geoprojects. She provides multiple examples of library projects and specific tools that were used to create the mapping. She concludes with presenting the need not only to put GIS in the library, but to have workshops for patrons and staff. She also advocates for the need to include this skill in library school programs for future librarians. Throughout the book, screen captures reinforce examples of geoprojects as well as the tutorials. Dodsworth provides references, some quite extensive, at the end of each chapter to broaden the breadth of resources presented in the book. She also provides a glossary of terms that is quite helpful in understanding new or unfamiliar terminology. Another useful feature is the use of boxes to enclose and define new terms. This work will become a well-used reference for the GIS library user.