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Geographic Information System, GIS

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Geographic Information System Mapping Technology (GIS)

Many have said that the world has been fast transformed into a global village, GIS impact is no exception since many prefer this computerised model of holding and using data so as to analyse various geographical regions of the world. The field of GIS will forever be indebted to Roger Tomlinson who in the year 1968 developed a paper GIS for the purposes of regional planning some will also not forget Michael Goodchild who led early GIS research through National Centre for Geographic Information and Analysis, Goodchild was instrumental in the spatial analysis and visualization that changed greatly the phase of GIS. 1964 saw the first laboratory for the GIS when, Howard Fisher created computer mapping software; SYMAP and in 1965, Fisher established Harvard Laboratory for computer graphics. In 1969, Jack Dangermond who was a member of Harvard laboratory collaborated with his wife Laura to establish Environmental System Research Institute, Inc; Esri. Esri widely involved computer mapping and spatial analysis and later aspects of Esri was used for the current GIS.

GIS serves several uses, among which are; understanding a trend, setting priorities, identifying a problem, performing a forecasting, monitoring changes, managing and responding to an even. GIS is currently applied in many fields and disciplines and the list keeps expanding with time. Some of the common fields that have employed GIS include; health, education, insurance, manufacturing, public safety, real estates, transportation, retail, telecommunication, government among others.

Common Terminology Used In GIS

i. Data representation: Data used in GIS represent actual objects such as land use, roads, waterways etc. Data can be divided into discrete to represent objects such as houses and continuous which can represent data of rainfall among other elements that are to be recorded continuously.

ii. Data capture: This is the actual entering of the data into the computer system prior to analysis. Printed data can be converted to digital form through scanning. In some occasions, scanning a map can cause raster data that could be consequently processed so as to produce vector data.

iii. Data Analysis: Data that is obtained from scanning or directly from survey can be used so as to generate two or three dimensional feature of the earth or spot under study.

iv. Cartographic modelling: This is the process of production, processing and analysis of several thematic layers that are of the same location.

v. Topological modelling: A topological relationship is used so as to allow for complex spatial modelling and analysis that is to be performed. It is between geometric entities and their proximity to each other or other features.

vi. Hydrological modelling: GIS hydrological designs can be used for the spatial elements that are not available in hydrological models. Analysing variable data can be used to find out missing features in a hydrological model.

vii. Geometric networks: These are linear networks that can be used as a representation of adjacent features; these can be used for spatial analysis.

viii. Address geocoding: Geocoding is the interpolation of spatial locations, made up of X and Y coordinates that could be from street address or ZIP Code and the address location.

ix. Reverse geocoding: This the tracing back of an estimated street address as it relates to a given coordinate.

x. GIS Data Mining: This partly automated search for hidden patterns in the large databases so as to be used in GIS related decision making process.

xi. Spatial ETL: This is a technique that provides for data processing for the purpose of traditional extract, transform, and load (ETL) software. Spatial ETL is aimed at managing spatial data.

Applications of GIS in Public Sectors

GIS In Education

A well elaborate map in schools makes learning lively especially in subjects such as history, literature, mathematics, environmental science among others. It also develops spatial thinking among learners, in subjects such as geography, GIS has been used extensively since it allows for analysis of actual geographical data thus fostering geographical thinking too in this field. ArcGIS has been used in schools at no chargers and availed in mobile, tablets, web browser and desktop computers.

There are some missing links in the education sector that can be joint using GIS. These links include; demographic aspect, discipline,

GIS can be used in schools so as to provide the actual data of learners to teacher ratio so that the government can deploy instructors effectively without discrimination knowingly or unknowingly. These figures can also be used while ding analysis for results and comparison that may involve private and public education sector.

GIS should be used in all the subjects not necessarily science or geography related. There is need of using geostatistics so as to improve all the faculties that has for long depended on assumption. It can as well be used so as to instil discipline in schools by employing GIS so as to determine absenteeism and trace internet users who could be accessing unauthorised sites and subjects.

GIS should also be used to provide offline educational support both to parents and the children, this could reduce costs of buying some books and hiring tutor when a parent can refer and be guided on means of helping their children.

GIS can also be included as an independent subject in schools to facilitate easier learning and to create space for learners who would be interested in pursuing it further so as to focus early without conflicting interests. This will also open job vacancies to GIS trainers and improve on facilities that will better both practical and theory aspect of GIS.

Government

Government has vastly used GIS so as to collect and use data from several locations from a single spot. With GIS, Government has been able to manage through fiber network interdepartmental network assets, public administration of property records, zoning and election data, schools analysis and expansion planning, simplified sharing of data with citizens and staffs as an effective communication tool for transparency. Government ensures public safety through operations such as Fire prevention, Emergency Operation Centres and mapping weather risks.

There is still a lot of space that GIS can be used in the government to fill. Despites high utility of GIS, a lot of government staffs are illiterate of it and only few people understand it, the chances of manipulations are high. The government can roll out projects that is aimed at sensitizing citizens on application and analysis of the data so that the can keep check on the government regarding to the data collected.

GIS data can be used by the government in military so as to analyse and find out most insecure parts and this set up should be set up with the latest data not more than six months old. These data should also include projected threats, means of elimination and other managements that should be less dangerous to the environment and residents. Geostatistics that is being used should be automated on the devices of the military officers so as to help them know when to launch an attack or arbitrate. This will also help the government with identification of the number of military capacity to manage a threat.

Geostatistics can be used to curb corruption at state and national government through using of the data provided by Geostatistians so as to conduct an extensive auditing. Auditing reports should not only be done using financial books of account but also GIS data to provide a clear direction on forecast projects.

Government can improve precision of agriculture is GIS data obtained from weather forecasting is evaluated for the benefit of the farmers so as to determine the actual amount of water that will be needed for irrigation, uncertainties such as pests and diseases and other inputs that can be affected weather changes. This data can as well be used for climate change mitigation by environmental activists.

Map

ArcGIS Map indicatingUnited States Congress Districts due 6th November, 2012.

References