1. RNR 403/503 Applications of GIS Fall, 2012

2. GIS – What does it mean? Geographic (geospatial) – Place-based, georeferenced, location is quantitatively defined Information – Attributes, data on spatial features not related to location S – Systems (technology) Science (knowledge) Studies (study on how GI is used)

3. Geographic Information System Organized collection of –Hardware –Software –Data –People –Procedures –Network People Software Data Procedures Hardware Network

4. Peter A. Burrough,1985 Principles of GIS Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer based tools designed to collect, store, retrieve and change at will, manipulate, and display spatial information from the real world for a particular set of purposes.

5. GISystems are also described as: Digital maps Computerized tools for solving geographic problems Spatial decision support system Mechanized inventory of geographically distributed features and facilities Method for revealing patterns and processes in geographic information Tool to automate time-consuming tasks

6. GIScience – 3 Focus Areas Used as an operational tool in many fields * Need to develop procedures/applications to address common problems and uses in different fields Used as an investigative tool in many discipline * Used to do science in different disciplines Science on GI and Its Application * Fundamental issues raised by the use of GIS and related technologies –Spatial Data Structures –Map projections and coordinates –Accuracy and Uncertainty of GI –Scientific visualization

7. Why GIS Matters Almost everything happens somewhere – use location as part of our analysis Knowing where some things happen is critically important –Position of country, county, property.. boundaries –Location of hospitals, schools, parks, powerlines,… –Routing delivery or emergency vehicles to locations –Location of cholera cases (London, 1854) –Location of sea turtles –Location of archeology sites

8. Information on the World How it looks – Form How it works – Process Knowledge about process more valuable than form, because can be used to predict GIS combine –General scientific knowledge in software –Specific information in databases

9. Brief History of GIS 1960 – 70s Innovation –First GIS – Canada Land Inventory –DIME US Bureau of Census –Harvard Laboratory for Computer Graphics –Major vendors started (e.g. ESRI, Intergraph) –Landsat satellite launched –Key academic conferences (e.g. AutoCarto)

10. Brief History of GIS 1980-90s Commercialization –Commercial GIS software (e.g. ArcInfo) –First GIS textbooks –First global data sets –Clinton Executive Order (creation of FGDC) 2000s Exploitation – Expansion –Internet becomes major deliver vehicle –Datasets readily available –More than 1 million active core users

11. First Internet Mapping Site

13. Business of GIS GIS industry is worth over $7 billion –Software –Data –Services –Publishing –Education Over 500,000 GIS Specialists Employed in U.S.

14. Example of market Segmentation Source: ASPRS (January, 2004)

15. Job Growth Areas RoleDefinitionExpected Shortages (%) Application Development Identify and develop tools and instruments to satisfy customer needs43 Data Analysis Process data and extract information to create products, drive conclusions, and inform decision making reports36 Data ManagementCatalog, archive, retrieve, and distribute geospatial data36 Project Management Effectively oversee activity requirements to produce the desired outcomes on time and within budget35 Systems Analysis Assess requirements for system capacities including inputs, outputs, processes, timing, and performance, as well as recommend necessary additions or adaptations33 Visualization Render data and information into visual geospatial Representation33 Systems Management Integrate resources and develop additional resources to support spatial and temporal user requirements28 CoordinationCollect geospatial and related data22 Training Analyze, design, and develop instructional and non-instructional interventions to provide transfer of knowledge and evaluation for performance improvement22 Management Efficiently and effectively apply the company's mission using financial, technical, and intellectual skills and resources to optimize the end products17 Data AcquisitionInter-organizational facilitation and communication13 Marketing Identify customer requirements and needs, and effectively communicate those needs and requirements to the organization, as well as promote geospatial solutions10 From: GITA and AAG - Defining and Communicating Geospatial Industry Workforce Demands, Phase I Report)

16. GIStudies Social Implications of GIS Favors generalization, possibly at expense of minorities and individuals Use is not always neutral and can be applied to military and industrial surveillance Tendency to be technological rather than human need focused Maintains and extends the status quo of societal power structures (information = $$) Absence of GIS in critical research and decision- making

17. Summary GIS is a science based on extensive technology application Unique perspective for examining patterns and processes on the Earth’s surface From origins in 1960s now a +$7bn industry Widely studied in schools and universities as part of many discipline curricula –Training on the application of GISy to solve problems –Use of GISc to conduct scientific investigations –Science on GI