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7th International Seminar on GIS for Developing Countries (GISDECO 2004) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Skudia, Johor, Malaysia May 10 - 12, 2004 By Suzanne Davis Natural History Division Institute of Jamaica. VENUE: SKUDAI IN JOHOR, MALAYSIA. Skudai.
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7th International Seminar on GIS for Developing Countries (GISDECO 2004) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Skudia, Johor, Malaysia May 10 - 12, 2004 By Suzanne Davis Natural History Division Institute of Jamaica
Summary of the Agenda for GISDECO 2004 Also had a poster exhibition on GIS work around the world and a field trip to the Singapore Land Authority.
Participatory GIS(P-GIS) • Concept based on community participation in spatial planning with geographic information outputs. • Main features of P-GIS include: • Applying GIS specifically to a need/problem at the local level, • Interaction and/or information exchange with a community, NGO, research entity • Representation/ inclusion of local knowledge • Applications: • Resolving land conflicts of a legal or landuse nature • Management of land and bio-resources. • Legal recognition of customary land rights and demarcating communities:
image Some Expected Benefits fromP-GIS • Agencies (external or internal to communities/NGOs) may utilize P-GIS as a strategy to: • Link the demands and priorities of project staff and the local people in a project area • Facilitate introduction of an “outside” project/ programme • Where local participation occurs, encourage and reinforce local decision-making and responsibilities. • Develop spatial outputs (maps, 3-D models, information systems) that take into account various local perceptions and traditional knowledge
GIS Education & Curriculum • Emphasis was on tertiary (university) education. • Valuable insight gained from Malaysian Universities Case Study • Reviewed how: • GIS is utilized in the planning sector and • GIS utilization provided indicators of gaps and strengths in GIS education for planners • Scope of the review: • Planners in federal government & private consultancies • 10 public universities in Malaysia
Findings of Malaysian Review of GIS Education • GIS under-utilized for the preparation of development plans • Over-emphasis on GIS mapping capabilities • Limited awareness and use of GIS spatial analytical capabilities • Inadequate understanding among planners about GIS analytical capabilities and how GIS can help their work. • GIS is offered as a subject/course in regional & planning programmes for undergraduates or for postgraduates • Only 40% of the public schools offered planning programmes • No standardization of GIS curriculum – variety of teaching approaches (core or optional course, theoretical or hands-on) • Limited & varying modes of transfer of GIS knowledge. Difficult to fully assess the skills of GIS-competent planners in the professional world.
Recommendations for GIS Teaching in Planning Schools • GIS should be a compulsory subject in planning programmes • GIS should be taught to both undergraduates & postgraduates at basic and advanced levels • Students should be encouraged to use GIS analytical capabilities for projects
Visit to Singapore Land Authority (SLA) Highlight: Online demonstration of the Integrated Land Information System - INLIS (www.inlis.gov.sg/).
Integral components of the INLIS: • SLA GPS Base Station: *System of 5 base stations * Accuracy between 2 – 10 cm * GPS Base Station is linked by lease lines to a server • Integration across various GIS Systems • Interoperability
Upcoming GIS Events/ Activities • Development of a Participatory GIS Network through CTA and other institutions e.g. ITC. The Network is primarily, but not exclusively aimed at participants from countries of sub-Saharan, African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions. Greater Caribbean participation is desired. • 3rd Annual Public Participation GIS Conference, July 18-20, 2004. University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin • Conference on Spatial Planning and Decision Support System 2004, 7th - 8th September 2004. International Islamic University Malaysia, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur • GISDECO 2005 proposed for Eastern Africa. Details forthcoming.