By Marcus Boit
Most of the information we have about our world contains a location reference placed at some point on the globe.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a computer system that captures, stores, analyses, manages and presents data with reference to geographic location data. With GIS, information about various aspects of our world can be collected and analysed and graphics produced on both screen and paper.
The results of the analysis can then be used by decision makers in government and other organisations to allocate resources or as a basis for development plans. One of the common products of GIS is a map that effectively communicates the results of the GIS process. A detailed map can be used in planning, such as for a city, natural resources and the environment at large. An example is finding the best location for a dumpsite in a city.
Touristic maps, political boundary maps and navigation maps can also be produced using this sytem. Valuation of land has traditionally been understood under map-records creation and management. Land valuation is mainly for taxation purposes, but is also used for mortgage allocation and asset management in governments and large companies.
GIS adds value on property that has, for example, frontage on a park or lake. If the parcel data and land use data are maintained in a geodatabase, the frontage calculation is simple and easy using the spatial intelligence of the GIS. Hence the cost of that property is computed.
Emergency response
Another important use of GIS is for emergency response planning. Many risks such as earthquakes, fire breakouts, droughts and floods among others can be managed and planned using GIS.
For instance, the fire engine station can be mapped in an interactive map where there is data giving real time information on traffic. In case of a fire breakout, the fire engineers are in a position to use GIS to locate the shortest and less congested routes to the disaster area, hence saving lives and property.
With GIS, present and future road network expansions can be seen at a glance. This avoids cases of construction on road reserves, which causes loss of billions of shillings when demolished.
Improved technological innovations will see a wider application of GIS in government, business and industry.
GIS and related technology will analyse large datasets, allowing a better understanding of terrestrial processes and human activities to improve economic vitality and environmental quality.
The writer is a GIS consultant and lecturer at JKUAT
