An Examination Of Trends In Geographic Information Systems And A Proposal For A Local Government

"Geographic Information Systems, or GIS is a technology that until recently, has evolved outside of the mainstream of information systems. GIS can be defined as a powerful set of tools for collecting, sorting, analyzing, and displaying spatial data to solve real world problems. The overall theme of this project paper is to examine this unique technology and propose the use of conventional information systems methodologies in the implementation of GIS. The use and maintenance of spatial data has always been a common function of many organizations, especially government. In particular, this paper focuses on the application of GIS within a standard information systems framework at a local government organization. This paper includes a short historical perspective of how GIS has evolved from its origins in automated cartography, and its application in large government implementations, to its ultimate birth as a software industry. This is followed by a description of GIS architecture, with particular emphasis on the proprietary data structures that have been developed to support the demanding requirements of spatial analysis. The paper highlights the problems and limitations of GIS data structures, especially when viewed from the perspective of standardized relational database management systems (RDBMS). This is followed by an analysis of object-relational database management systems, an approach to spatial data management that holds great future promise. The second half of the paper focuses on the implementation of GIS technology. The paper proposes a set of information technology objectives that are linked to a local government business strategy. It then demonstrates how these objectives can be implemented using a standard information systems methodology. The methodology, the Zachman framework for information systems architecture, defines the systems environment as being composed of three distinct elements, data, processes, and technology. The paper then describes how the Zachman framework can be applied within a municipal government organization (the City of Naperville, the author's employer). Finally, the paper concludes with an analysis of object-relational database management systems (ORDBMS), and proposes an ORDBMS for the City of Naperville's GIS"--Abstract.

As early pioneers in the use of digital geographic data, many local governments in the UK were ahead of their counterparts in central government and the private sector in the application of GIS technology. To meet current challenges, local authorities must coordinate the latest technology with effective information management strategies, human and cultural issues, and organizational structures and processes. Geographic Information Management in Local Government examines the factors that are necessary to ensure that real benefits are delivered from the improved availability of geographic information. Written by two practitioners with extensive government experience, this four-part book examines supporting technology, the data that fuels it, and the human factors that help or hinder successful GIS implementation. Exploring the history of geographic information management in local government, this volume offers a pragmatic overview of the subject and what local authorities need to do in order to be successful. The Introduction covers the emergence of Geographic Information Management (GIM) and GIS in local government and explains why they are important. Part 2 explains the key elements of human and organizational issues, data, the technology toolbox, GIS selection and implementation, and coordinating mechanisms. Part 3 provides in-depth analyses of nine case studies on the use of technology by local UK authorities. Part 4 looks forward to the prospects and challenges for further GIM by local governments.

The book deals with the integration of temporal information in Geographic Information Systems. The main purpose of an historical or time-integrative GIS is to reproduce spatio- temporal processes or sequents of events in the real world in the form of a model. The model thus making them accessible for spatial query, analysis and visualization. This volume reflects both theoretical thoughts on the interrelations of space and time, as well as practical examples taken from various fields of application (e.g. business data warehousing, demographics, history and spatial analysis).

This book is based on the premise that research necessary to advance the utility of geographic informatior. systems must extend far beyond concerns with technical issues. The search for formalisms and generalizable principles relative to the behavior and needs of individuals, organizations and institutions is just as important in enabling optimal use of geographic information innovations. This book consists of papers prepared by participants in the NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) on "Modeling the Diffusion and Use of Geographic Information Technologies. " The workshop was held AprilS-II, 1992, in Sounion, Greece. The idea for the workshop and this volume arose from discussions among U. S. and European researchers who had been involved in carrying out studies on the use and diffusion of geographic information innovations and actively involved in critically analyzing each other's work. We felt the time was ripe for reporting studies recently accomplished by the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (U. S. A. ), the Economic and Social Research Council (U. K. ), and others relative to these research topics. A workshop would allow contact among and international comparisons with those who were working independently on similar problems with similar or alternative approaches. It would also allow the bringing together of scholars in technology diffusion, management information systems, and sociology with scholars from the GIS community.

Over the last two decades there has been increasing recognition that problems in oceanography and fisheries sciences and related marine areas are nearly all manifest in the spatio-temporal domain. Geographical Information Systems (GIS), the natural framework for spatial data handling, are being recognized as powerful tools with useful applications

"This book tackles topics related to development of Geographic Information in terms of the technologies available for retrieving, managing, and analyzing geographical data"--Provided by publisher.

We live in a changing world with multiple and evolving threats to national security, including terrorism, asymmetrical warfare (conflicts between agents with different military powers or tactics), and social unrest. Visually depicting and assessing these threats using imagery and other geographically-referenced information is the mission of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). As the nature of the threat evolves, so do the tools, knowledge, and skills needed to respond. The challenge for NGA is to maintain a workforce that can deal with evolving threats to national security, ongoing scientific and technological advances, and changing skills and expectations of workers. Future U.S. Workforce for Geospatial Intelligence assesses the supply of expertise in 10 geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) fields, including 5 traditional areas (geodesy and geophysics, photogrammetry, remote sensing, cartographic science, and geographic information systems and geospatial analysis) and 5 emerging areas that could improve geospatial intelligence (GEOINT fusion, crowdsourcing, human geography, visual analytics, and forecasting). The report also identifies gaps in expertise relative to NGA's needs and suggests ways to ensure an adequate supply of geospatial intelligence expertise over the next 20 years.