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

Also had a poster exhibition on GIS work around the world

and a field trip to the Singapore Land Authority.

Summary of the Agenda for GISDECO 2004

EVENT DAY 1

WORKSHOPS Participatory GIS (CTA/ITC)Opportunities & Constraints to Use Digital Geo-Information in Developing NationsPlanning & Decision Support SystemsImplementing Statewide GIS

EVENT DAY 2 DAY 3

PRESENTA-TION CATEGORIES

Capacity Building for Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)Advances in SDIDevelopment of GIS in AsiaLocal & Regional ExperiencesGIS Infrastructure & Policies

GIS Competencies and Skills in the face of ICT advancementsGIS Education & CurriculumGIS Infrastructure & PoliciesPanel DiscussionClosing Ceremony

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:

Comparing the Uses of P-GIS & Conventional GIS

P-GIS GIS

Land Tenure System (Indigenous Peoples) Government Cadastral System

Spiritual & physical connection to land

Land as a marketable commodity

Communal ownership/custodians. Stewardship.

Registration of interests on land with spatial cadastre. Exclusive ownership

Land transferred through inheritance, blood relations

Transfer land through sale, lease, inheritance.

Temporary/Seasonally flexible boundaries Mostly fixed boundaries

Some Expected Benefits from P-GIS

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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 capabilitiesInadequate 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/).

•Building Information Service

•Control Points Management System

•State Land Encroachment Information Service *

•Online Land Information System

•Primary School Listing Service *

•Road Line Plan *

•Survey Data Enquiry and Exchange System

•Self Service Map Production System

•Surrounding Amenities Information Service

•Surrounding Lots Sales Transaction Information Service

•Sales Transaction History Information Service

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 SystemsInteroperability

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.