The chapter presents the geographic information systems. A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system that allows various sources to gather and organize, manage, analyze and combine, develop, and present geographically located information contributing in particular to the management from space. A geographic information system is also a database management system for entering, storing, retrieving, querying, analyzing, and displaying localized data. It is a set of data located in space, structured so that it can conveniently extract syntheses useful to the decision.
TopBackground
During last twenty years Geographic Information System (GIS) becomes a field of information technology increasingly used in public decision-making process, including design of Public Policies and Territorial planning Aronoff, S. (1991).
Early GIS applications where automated mapping systems whose main focus was replacement of paper maps. The geo relational model opened opportunities for other GIS applications.
GIS is part of Geomatics Technology, defined as a discipline for the management of spatially referenced data that uses science and technology related to its acquisition, storage, processing and dissemination.
GIS is a component of Geomatics (Geography, Cartography, Remote sensing, Photogrammetry, LIDAR, Geodesy) and make use of statistics, computer science, and mathematics
The GIS technology is takink adavantage of the evolution of the geospatial Technologies describey by The UK Geospatial Commission (Gray, P., Lawrence, H., 2019), has identified eight emerging technologies that could impact the geospatial industry:
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Cameras, Imaging and Sensing:“The platforms used to collect Earth Observation (EO) data and the equipment and instruments used to collect, store and process EO data.”
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Unmanned Vehicle Systems and Drones: Vehicles that are either controlled remotely or operate autonomously, by sensing their environment and navigating including without human intervention.
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Survey, Measurement and Scanning: Provide the foundation upon which the geospatial ecosystem is built. The report focuses on downstream GNSS chipsets, GIS data capture, 3D scanning hardware, software and value-add services.
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Artificial Intelligence: Refers to systems or programs that can complete tasks that would normally require human intelligence, such as data analysis, visual perception, speech recognition or decision-making.
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Smart Sensors and Internet of Things: Are the networks of physical objects that contain embedded technology to sense changes in their internal states or in the external environment, and communicate this information with other connected devices.
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Immersive Technologies: Emulate physical environments through the creation of a digital space allowing visualisation and interaction with an environment.
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Simulation: Allow a user to model various scenarios within a digital environment. This involves building digital representations, or ‘Twins’, of a specified geographical area, and manipulating relevant variables to model likely effects.
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Connectivity: Refer to the communications infrastructure across which geospatial data is transferred and exchanged. This includes satellite communications, as well as fixed and mobile telecommunications networks.
TopMain Focus Of The Chapter
Present a breif dessciption of the GIS Technology, an abundant literature is available on the subject.
Objectives of a GIS
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Define the basics of spatial reference,
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Develop and use tools to locate the different elements of the territory, existing or to
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be put in place,
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Integrate or make integrable the data obtained according to the chosen reference
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systems,
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Offer quality data and information,
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Improve their processing, storage and distribution thanks to computers,
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Analyze different decision scenarios based on the information obtained.