GIS, GEOVISUALIZATION AND GEO-STORIES MOVEMENT

GIS, GEOVISUALIZATION AND GEO-STORIES MOVEMENT

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

There are many definitions of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - systems for linking and analyzing wide varieties of data together by common geographical referents. The Committee of Enquiry into the Handling of Geographic Information, chaired by Lord Chorley, succinctly described a GIS as:

A system for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, manipulating, analyzing and displaying data which are spatially referenced to the Earth. This is normally considered to involve a spatially referenced computer database and appropriate applications software. Since there is no explicit definition of a GIS, there have been misconceptions about what a GIS is (Ahonen, 2005). In particular, there can be confusion between computer assisted cartography (CAC), computer assisted drafting (CAD) and GIS. While all three of these systems use graphic displays, there are basic differences in the type of information that they can process.

Computer assisted cartography automates the production of maps, but lacks the analytical capabilities of a GIS.

Computer assisted drafting produces graphic images, but is not usually tied to external descriptive data files.

Geographic Information Systems can analyze as well as manipulate the information behind a map.

Advantages of using GIS

GIS is a multi-faceted technique, or tool within a broader research/computing context for supporting decisions and monitoring the use of resources. At a basic level, there are four main advantages of using GIS:

Data accessibility. One big advantage is that GIS can link or integrate a variety of datasets together via a geographical locator, for example, addresses, post code or zip code, which helps departments and agencies share their data, both internally and externally. Such data may previously have been inaccessible to other departments or organizations.

Improved decision making. GIS is not merely an automated decision making system - its strength lies in being a tool to query, analyze and map data in support of the decision making process. GIS can allow multiple scenarios to be displayed and examined (Andrienko, 2002). The most up-to-date information is available, for example, daily changes to map features can be incorporated. GIS can also include 'real time' information, such as systems developed for ambulance dispatch, which utilize a continuous stream of real-time information.

Making maps. GIS can make maps with any type of geographic data, in a much more flexible way than traditional manual or automated cartography. For example, maps can be centered at any location, produced at any scale, and can be created at any time. Problems associated with traditional cartography, for example, the limited durability and storage needs of paper maps, are avoided.

Data output. Data can be produced in map or tabular form, at a variety of scales, and formats. Output can often be imported into other computer applications for dissemination.

Barriers to using GIS

On the negative side, there are several barriers which inhibit the development of appropriate Geographic Information Systems. Most of these relate to data. In particular, users may not be aware of the existence of appropriate geographical or attribute data. If they are, then the availability or cost may be an ...