Modern geographic information systems technology has transformed spatial data handling capabilities and made it necessary for governments to rethink their roles with respect to the supply and availability of geographic information.; The nature of the relationship between governments and geographic information is explored in this book from a number of different conceptual positions with reference to the experiences of Britain, the Netherlands, Austria and the United States and particularly with respect to the development of national geographic information strategies.; The book examines the role that can be played both directly through a variety of policy initiatives and also indirectly because of the extent to which they create the broader institutional context within which these are developed and implemented. The discussion is divided into three main parts. The first of these considers what is Special About Geographic Information And Evaluates The Notion Of geographic information from four different standpoints - as a resource, a commodity, an asset and an infrastructure.; The second part presents the findings from four case studies of national geographic information strategies, while the final section evaluates these experiences with a view to identifying what general lessons can be learnt from them.

As early pioneers in the use of digital geographic data, many local governments in the UK were ahead of their counterparts in central government and the private sector in the application of GIS technology. To meet current challenges, local authorities must coordinate the latest technology with effective information management strategies, human and

The acceptance of volunteered geographic information (VGI) as a valued and useful source of information for governments is growing at all levels. Put simply, VGI is “crowdsourced” geographic information provided by a wide range of participants with varying levels of education, knowledge and skills (see Michael Goodchild’s writing for the original definition of the term). While a growing body of research demonstrates the reliability and accuracy of VGI when compared to official or government produced data sets, the progression towards their adoption and wider use is slow. There are a range of mechanisms and methods available for ensuring that crowdsourced information is fit for purpose so concerns about data quality are not the major reason for the lack of adoption. Instead, organizational practices, regulations and legal issues limit the rate of change. This report is based on a six-month study of the use of VGI by government and aims to provide a guide for the successful implementation of VGI.

Geographic Information Research is a broad discipline, and is being actively pursued world-wide. A group of researchers in both North America and Europe have come together as contributors to this volume as a way of combining their expertise. The emphasis is on matters of political, strategic and organizational importance, rather than on technology or systems, and covers the theory and social and political practice which goes hand-in-hand with GIS.

Developments in technologies have evolved in a much wider use of technology throughout science, government, and business; resulting in the expansion of geographic information systems. GIS is the academic study and practice of presenting geographical data through a system designed to capture, store, analyze, and manage geographic information. Geographic Information Systems: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications is a collection of knowledge on the latest advancements and research of geographic information systems. This book aims to be useful for academics and practitioners involved in geographical data.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide essential disaster management decision support and analytical capabilities. As such, homeland security professionals would greatly benefit from an interdisciplinary understanding of GIS and how GIS relates to disaster management, policy, and practice. Assuming no prior knowledge in GIS and/or disaster management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Disaster Management guides readers through the basics of GIS as it applies to disaster management practice. Using a hands-on approach grounded in relevant GIS and disaster management theory and practice, this textbook provides coverage of the basics of GIS. It examines what GIS can and can’t do, GIS data formats (vector, raster, imagery), and basic GIS functions, including analysis, map production/cartography, and data modeling. It presents a series of real-life case studies that illustrate the GIS concepts discussed in each chapter. These case studies supply readers with an understanding of the applicability of GIS to the full disaster management cycle. Providing equal treatment to each disaster management cycle phase, the book supplies disaster management practitioners and students with coverage of the latest developments in GIS for disaster management and emerging trends. It takes a learning-by-examples approach to help readers apply what they have learned from the examples and disaster management scenarios to their specific situations. The book illustrates how GIS technology can help disaster management professionals, public policy makers, and decision-makers at the town, county, state, federal, and international levels. Offering software-neutral best practices, this book is suitable for use in undergraduate- or graduate-level disaster management courses. Offering extensive career advice on GIS for disaster management from working professionals, the book also includes a GIS for disaster management research agenda and ideas for staying current in the field.

Geography in America at the Dawn of the 21st Century surveys American geographers' current research in their specialty areas and tracks trends and innovations in the many subfields of geography. As such, it is both a 'state of the discipline' assessment and a topical reference. It includes an introduction by the editors and 47 chapters, each on a specific specialty. The authors of each chapter were chosen by their specialty group of the American Association of Geographers (AAG). Based on a process of review and revision, the chapters in this volume have become truly representative of the recent scholarship of American geographers. While it focuses on work since 1990, it additionally includes related prior work and work by non-American geographers. The initial Geography in America was published in 1989 and has become a benchmark reference of American geographical research during the 1980s. This latest volume is completely new and features a preface written by the eminent geographer, Gilbert White.