Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. A brief overview of what you need to know before learning How to use any GIS software packages

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1 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems A brief overview of what you need to know before learning How to use any GIS software packages 1

2 What is GIS? More than map-making software GIS is a system of hardware, software, data and personnel to help manipulate, analyse and present spatial information geographic - a spatial location information visualization of data analysis system trained individual/s that can link software, hardware, data 2

3 Where did GIS come from? GIS is built upon knowledge from: geography; cartography; computer science; and Mathematics 3

4 A Brief History of GIS GIS s origins lie in thematic cartography Many planners used the method of map overlay using manual techniques Manual map overlay as a method was first described comprehensively by Jacqueline Tyrwhitt in a 1950 planning textbook Ian McHarg used blacked out transparent overlays for site selection in Design with Nature 4

5 Map Overlay SOLUTION MASK SOILS PARKS URBAN FOREST Figure 1.3 Map overlay as presented in Design with Nature by Ian McHarg. Each transparent layer map blacked out areas excluded as unsuitable locations. 5

6 A Brief History of GIS (ctd) The 1960s saw many new forms of geographic data and mapping software Computer cartography developed the first basic GIS concepts during the late 1950s and 1960s GIS was significantly altered by the PC; and the workstation During the 1980s, new GIS software could better exploit more advanced hardware User interface developments led to GIS's vastly improved ease of use during the 1990s 6

7 GIS Hardware Computer Needs most GIS software will run on a standard pc Not on Macs (except in emulation mode) GPS (global positioning system receiver) good for data input approximate cost - $200+ Digitiser good for data input from paper maps approximate cost - $200+ Colour Printer ink jet or plotter 7

8 GIS Software Software Issues Two main considerations Capabilities what will it do? Cost Commercial Vector-based ArcGIS, Mapinfo Raster-based IDRISI IMAGINE Public Domain ArcGIS Explorer (lightweight GIS viewer) On-line ArcGIS online GeoCommons 8

9 GIS Data Overlooked component of GIS GIS uses two main data types Spatial/map data Attribute or descriptive data What do you need? Don t underestimate data requirements May change how and what type of data is collected (scale considerations & confidentiality issues) Can be expensive but costs are dropping 9

10 GIS data Where can you get digital data for GIS? Convert from other digital formats Convert from paper to digital Collect with GPS or satellite (remote sensing) Some public domain data available (Digital Chart of the World) Major sources Government departments and agencies On the web, eg. Some are free, others are for sale 10

11 Sources of Web-based GIS Data Australia Queensland Worldwide 11

12 Australia Main source is GeoScience Australia Go to Data/Applications Go to Free Data Downloads Specify file type Make sure you read the metadata 12

13 Australia Another good source is the Australian Bureau of Statistics / Select Downloads Select File type 13

14 Queensland Main source is Queensland Government Information Service Specify type of data and file type Agree to License Agreement 14

15 Worldwide Main source is GIS Data Depot Download GIS Data Select Country Select Nationwide Data All data is formatted as E00 files Can be converted to a shapefile 15

16 Other Options Just try google using the following search terms GIS data, GIS data downloads along with geographic area, e.g. British Columbia 16

17 Spatial and non-spatial data Bike Shop Parts List Part No. No. Description Wheel spoke Ball bearing Wheel rim Tire Handlebars The Bike Shop database is not spatial 1997 Crime Data Date Location Type Jan Mains Rd Assault Jan James St Robbery Jan Smith St Burglary Feb 10 9 Elm St Assault Feb Fifth Ave B & E The Crime Data is spatial A database contains columns (attributes) and rows (records) 17

18 Spatial data 18

19 GIS Features GIS divides a mapped landscape up into three features -- points, lines and areas Most human activity and natural phenomena are spatially distributed, so can be studied using a GIS Using a GIS involves capturing the spatial distribution of features A GIS uses map features to manage data 19

20 The Feature Model FEATURES POINT LINE AREA R i v e BM 123 L a k e r Figure 1.2 The Feature Model: Examples of a point feature (elevation bench mark), a line feature (river) and an area feature (lake). 20

21 What can GIS do? data capture acquiring and converting data data storage data manipulation database management data retrieval querying data data analysis spatial analysis data display production of thematic maps 21

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23 Layers of Spatial Information 23

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26 Vector vs. Raster 26

27 The Future of GIS Applications need to catch up with the software Move from desktop to web-based GIS Move away from data conversion to spatial analysis Watch Jack Dangermond describe the evolution of GIS technology / industries/ gov20/index.html 27

28 Future of GIS (cont) Less attention Analysis More attention Analysis Attribute tagging Attribute tagging Data conversion The Past Data conversion The Future 28

29 Web-based GIS Geo Commons Need to sign up (no charge) 29

30 Web-based Mapping from ESRI ArcGIS online 30

31 GIS Study Many ESRI virtual campus courses are available (and free to Griffith Uni students) Over 120 web-based courses are available h=search&orderby=coursesubtypename%20asc&coursetypeid=1 Including one on urban & regional planning If you are interested in accessing any of these modules please see me or the GIS lab manager (Siti Amri) to obtain the necessary access codes 31

32 Final Thoughts Decide what you want to do first and then learn how to do it in GIS don t try to learn it all Learning GIS is like learning a foreign language you need to use it regularly Do use want to use GIS as a tool or as an end in itself? 32

A GIS helps you answer questions and solve problems by looking at your data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared.

A GIS helps you answer questions and solve problems by looking at your data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared. A Geographic Information System (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. GIS allows us to view,