GIS/LIS : The latest developments

Abstract

Significant achievements have taken place in Geographic/Land information systems (GIS/LIS). An attempt is made to give an overview of the state of the art as well as vision of progress still to be accomplished. Key issues are discussed in various GXS/LIS activities. A generic analysis shows that moat of the applications are environment oriented. The various GIS/LIS topical issues are discussed in the order of an ascending graph, including data capture, data structure and modelling data quality and standards, institutions, ethics, education, visualization and interface, spatial decision support systems, and applications. Finally a brief assessment of the role and nature of GXS is made. It is noted, in particular, that there are great discrepencies in the spread and success of GIS/LIS at the international level. This is true between developed and developing countries, but the case can also be made between western industrialized countries. It is also observed that there is an increasing number of professions, involved in GIS/LIS activities and, that there is an increasing collaboration between those professions. Finally, it is observed that GIS/LIS are used predominantly as a tool to manage and keep records, although there are sighs that GIS/L2S is also leading the way towards a new spatial science'. This is "only a 1992 f "snap shot"; however, and it is expected that many of the statements which follow have limited life and will need updating, considering the rapid changes" in theory and technology.