The

 Future  of  Geospa/al  

Technology  

This  material  is  based  on  work  supported  by  the  Na/onal  Science  Founda/on  (DUE  #1304591).  Any  opinions,  
findings,  and  conclusions  expressed  in  this  material  are  those  of  the  authors(s)  and  not  necessarily  those  of  
the  Na/onal  Science  Founda/on.    
 GIS:  Compared  to  10  years  ago…  
• Acquiring  data  for  a  new  GIS  is  no  longer  a  
major  problem.  
• GPS  has  become  a  major  source  of  new  GIS  
data,  and  comes  increasingly  from  integrated  
GPS/GIS  systems.  
• Digital  map  images  such  as  scanned  maps  and  
air  photos  are  oAen  used  as  basemaps  for  
cross-­‐layer  registraCon.  
 Trends  in  Geospa/al  Data  
• Remote  sensing  has  become  a  significantly  
relevant  source  of  GIS  data,  as  the  cost  of  data  
has  fallen.    
• Data  exchange  has  become  more  common  
and  has  been  facilitated  by  exchange  
standards.  
• Many  GIS  databases  are  now  distributed  over  
local  or  wide  area  networks.  
 Changing  Emphases:  
From  Data  to  Analysis  

Spa/al  Analysis  (5%)   75%  Spa/al  Analysis  

           10-­‐15%   AVribute  Tagging  

AVribute  Tagging   10-­‐15%  

                       75%  
Data  Conversion:     Data    Conversion  (5%)  

Past   Present/Future  
 Changing  Emphases  
From  Descrip,on  to  Simula,on  &  Modeling  
Past   Present/Future  

Picture  is  worth  a   Visual  simulaCon,  

thousand  words   virtual  reality,  modeling  
   
Maps  &  diagrams  of   Real  ,me  display  of    
how  is,  or  how  was   how  is,  and  how  might  be  
     
Web  portals  serve    Web  portals  serve  
sta,c  data  sets   con,nuous  sensor-­‐derived  
data  
GIS  is  not  about  systems  anymore.    
It  is  about  the  science  of  
understanding  place  and  /me.  
 
 
 Changing  Emphases  
From  2-­‐D  descrip5on  to  4-­‐D  interac5on  
Past  
• 2-­‐D  flat  map  displays  
 
Present/Future  
• EffecCve  3-­‐D  visualizaCon  
• 4-­‐D  incorporaCon  of  Cme:  
– For  example,  vehicles,  fires  or  people  interacCng  over  Cme  in  a  raster  
(cell)-­‐based  environment    according  to  established  rules  
• 5,  6  and  7-­‐D  incorporaCon  of    touch  (pressure,  texture,  temperature),  sound  
and  smell  into  modeling/simulaCon  environment  
• User  as  parCcipant    
– Users  (researchers,  professionals,  the  public)  interact  with  the  model  
– ParCcipatory  GIS  (PGIS):  the  public  as  the  planner    
 Influences  on  GIS  
• Advanced  GIS  work  has  been  influenced  
significantly  by  the  workstaCon.  
• GIS  has  quickly  incorporated  distributed  
systems  and  databases  (i.e.,  the  cloud).  
• The  microcomputer  has  allowed  GIS  to  be  
applied  to  new  fields  and  has  improved  GIS  
educaCon.  
• The  mobility  of  portable  GIS  and  GPS  systems  
has  revoluConized  GIS  use.  
 GIS  Improvements  
• Improvements  in  the  user  interface  have  
substanCally  altered  the  GIS  "look  and  feel."  
• Basic  data  differences  such  as  raster  vs.  vector  
have  disappeared  as  GISs  have  become  more  
flexible.  
• GIS  soAware  is  now  easier  to  install  and  
maintain.  
• The  web  has  become  a  source  of  data  
exchange  and  informaCon  sharing  (including  
Internet  mapping).  
 Virtual  Globes  
Google  Earth  (Greenland  Ice  Melt  Example)  
 
 The  Future  Development  of  
Geospa/al  Technology  
•    Ubiquitous  for  everyone  and  everywhere  -­‐-­‐    Mobile  GIS,  
LocaCon-­‐Based  Services,  and  wireless  communicaCon.  
•    High  Performance  CompuCng  –  Grid  compuCng:  advanced  
spaCal  analysis  funcCons  and  capability,  modeling  and  simulaCon.  
•    DIY-­‐GIS  (Do-­‐it-­‐yourself  GIS)  Volunteered  Geographic  
InformaCon  (VGI):    Geodata  created  by  ciCzens  rather  than  
professionals  (Goodchild,  2007  in  GeoJournal:  Ci,zens  as  Sensors).  
Bocom-­‐Up  approach  for  GIS  data  and  mapping  services  rather  
than  top-­‐down  approach.  (for  example,  Google  Map  Mashup/API,  
OpenStreetMap,  Flickr,  Wikimapia).      
 Ubiquitous  GIS  with  
wireless  Mobile  GIS  
• Mobile  GIS  refers  to  an  integrated  soAware/
hardware  framework  for  the  access  of  
geospaCal  data  and  services  through  mobile  
devices  via  wireline  or  wireless  networks  
(Tsou,  2004).    

(Notebooks,  PDA,  Tablet  PC,  Pocket  PC,  etc.)  

 
Real-­‐/me  Data  Update  from  Pocket  PC  (including  
Smartphones)  to  Internet  Map  Server  

Wireless
Communication

Submit new polygons

(Hot-zones) from Pocket
PC to Internet Map
Server (ArcIMS) via Wi-Fi
channel.
 High  Performance  Compu/ng  for  
GIServices:    Grid  Compu/ng  
Proposed with the idea of electric power grid. Aims at integrating
large-scale (global scale) computing resources;

Plug & Play

Grid-enabled Internet GIServices

Geospatial Cyberinfrastructure refers to a combination of
geospatial computing resources, data and knowledge to facilitate
the development of GIScience research and geospatial
technologies. (Zhang and Tsou, International Journal of
Geographical Information Science, 2009)
 TeraGrid  Network  
Grid
Infrastructure
Group
(UChicago)

UW

UC/ANL
PSC

NCAR
PU

NCSA

IU
UNC/RENCI

Caltech

ORNL

USC/ISI
U Tenn.



SDSC

LSU

TACC


Resource Provider (RP)

Software Integration Partner

The  Future  of  Geospa/al  Cyberinfrastructure  (Cloud  Compu/ng)    
         
High performance grid computing:
visualization, and storage   resources

Map Services
Data Services
Analysis Services

High  speed  Internet  

Visual Interactive
Web Portal  Collabora/on  
 DIY  Mapping  (Do  It  Yourself):  Google  Map  “Mashup”  
+  Ajax  (combine  a  public  database  with  maps):  For  Example:  How  
Did  People  Vote?...  
User-­‐Contributed  Informa/on  
Tracking  the  H1N1  Flu  
 Linking  Science,  Applica/ons,  and  
Educa/on  together  
Many interesting GIScience Research issues are embedded
inside GIService Applications.

Geospatial Technology can provide a linkage between

Cyberspace (the Internet and computer worlds) and the real
world (the Earth). The linkage is the key to advancing
Science, Technology, and Education in the next ten years.
 GIS&T  and  Society  
The  GIS&T  Body  of  Knowledge1  and  the  the  GeospaCal  Technology  
Competency  Model  (GTCM)  both  highlight  future  issues  that  will  
affect  how  GIS&T  is  perceived  and  used  by  society.  The  main  issues/
concerns  are:  
 
• Legal  
• Economic  
• Use  of  geospaCal  informaCon  in  the  public  sector  
• GeospaCal  informaCon  as  property  
• DisseminaCon  of  geospaCal  informaCon  
• Ethical  aspects  of  geospaCal  informaCon  and  technology  

1    Geographic  InformaCon  Science  and  Technology  Body  of  Knowledge,  First  EdiCon,  2006  (edited  by  David  DiBiase,  

Michael  DeMers,  Ann  Johnson,  Karen  Kemp,  Ann  Taylor  Luck,  Brandon  Plewe,  and  Elizabeth  Wentz)  
hcp://www.aag.org/galleries/publicaCons-­‐files/GIST_Body_of_Knowledge.pdf  
Legal:  Legal  problems  can  arise  when  geospaCal  informaCon  is  used  for  land  management,  among  other  acCviCes.  
GeospaCal  professionals  may  be  liable  for  harm  that  results  from  flawed  data  or  the  misuse  of  data.  Understanding  of  
contract  law  and  liability  standards  is  essenCal  to  miCgate  risks  associated  with  the  provision  of  geospaCal  informaCon  
products  and  services.  
   
Economic:  Most  organizaCons  insist  that  investments  in  GIS&T  be  jusCfied  in  economic  terms.  QuanCfying  the  value  of  
informaCon,  and  of  informaCon  systems,  however,  is  not  a  straighlorward  macer.  
   
Use  of  geospaCal  informaCon  in  the  public  sector:  Government  agencies  at  local,  state,  and  federal  levels  produce  and  
use  geospaCal  data  for  many  acCviCes,  including  provision  of  social  services,  public  safety  (police,  fire,  and  E911),  
economic  development,  environmental  management,  and  naConal  defense.  Public  parCcipaCon  in  governing,  
empowered  by  geospaCal  technologies,  offers  the  potenCal  to  strengthen  democraCc  socieCes  by  involving  grassroots  
community  organizaCons  and  by  engaging  local  knowledge.  
   
GeospaCal  informaCon  as  property:  The  nature  of  informaCon  in  general,  and  the  characterisCcs  of  geospaCal  
informaCon  in  parCcular,  make  it  an  unusual  and  difficult  subject  for  a  legal  regime  that  seeks  to  establish  and  enforce  
the  type  of  exclusive  control  associated  with  other  commodiCes.  GeospaCal  informaCon  is  in  many  ways  unlike  the  
kinds  of  works  that  intellectual  property  rights  were  intended  to  protect.  SCll,  organizaCons  can,  and  do,  assert  
proprietary  interests  in  geospaCal  informaCon.  PerspecCves  on  geospaCal  informaCon  as  property  vary  between  the  
public  and  private  sectors  and  between  different  countries.  
   
DisseminaCon  of  geospaCal  informaCon:  GeospaCal  data  are  abundant,  but  access  to  data  varies  with  the  nature  of  
the  data,  with  who  wishes  to  acquire  it  and  for  what  purpose,  under  what  condiCons,  and  at  what  price.  Legal  
relaCons  between  public  and  private  organizaCons  and  individuals  govern  data  access.  
   
Ethical  aspects  of  geospaCal  informaCon  and  technology:  Ethics  provide  frameworks  that  help  individuals  and  
organizaCons  make  decisions  when  confronted  with  choices  that  have  moral  implicaCons.  Most  professional  
organizaCons  develop  codes  of  ethics  to  help  their  members  do  the  right  thing,  preserve  their  good  reputaCon  in  the  
community,  and  help  their  members  develop  as  a  community.  
 
 GIS  Professional  Ethics  
The  following  excerpt  is  from  DiBiase,  D,  C.  Goranson,  F.  Harvey,  and  D.  Wright  (2009).  The  GIS  
Professional  Ethics  Project:  PracCcal  Ethics  EducaCon  for  GIS  Pros.  Proceedings  of  the  24th  
InternaConal  Cartography  Conference.  SanCago,  Chile,  15-­‐21  November.  

Governments,  militaries,  commercial  enterprises,  and  other  interests  have  relied  on  maps  and  
mapping  for  centuries  and  upon  aerial  surveillance  since  World  War  I.  Computerized  geographic  
informaCon  systems,  digital  remote  sensing,  and  satellite  navigaCon  systems  are  relaCvely  recent  
developments.  As  these  new  technologies  matured  and  their  applicaCons  became  widespread  in  
the  late  1980s  and  early  1990s,  scholars  and  pracCConers  began  to  express  concerns  about  the  
ethical  implicaCons  of  their  use.  Brian  Harley  (1988)  was  in  the  vanguard  of  scholars  who  
quesConed  the  assumpCon  that  maps  are  imparCal  and  value-­‐neutral  depicCons.  By  1991,  he  
challenged  map  makers  to  consider  whether  there  could  be  “an  ethically  informed  cartography,  and  
if  so,  what  should  be  its  agenda?”  (Harley  1991,  p.  13).  
 
At  about  the  same  Cme,  Pickles  (1991)  highlighted  the  use  of  GIS  as  a  surveillance  technology,  while  
Smith  (1992)  alleged  that  the  makers  and  users  of  geospaCal  technologies  were  complicit  in  the  
killings  associated  with  what  he  considered  to  be  a  morally  quesConable  Gulf  War.  By  1995,  a  
substanCal  literature  focused  on  ethical  and  epistemological  criCques  of  GIS  and  related  
technologies  had  appeared  (e.g.,  Pickles,  1995),  and  a  widening  gulf  of  misunderstanding  and  
mistrust  had  separated  criCcal  scholars  from  proponents  and  pracCConers  of  GIS  and  related  
technologies  (Schuurman,  2000).  
 
 Con/nued  
Meanwhile,  GIS  began  to  show  signs  of  coalescence  as  a  disCnct  (if  heterogeneous)  profession.  Among  the  
earliest  consideraCons  of  professional  ethics  in  cartography  and  GIS  was  an  “ethics  roundtable”  published  in  
1990  (McHaffie,  Andrews,  Dobson,  &  others  1990).  Contributors  idenCfied  implicaCons  of  inaccurate  maps  
and  data,  intellectual  property  issues,  and  conflicts  of  interest  as  important  ethical  issues.  Soon  thereaAer,  
Monmonier  (1991,  1996)  pointed  out  ways  in  which  maps  can  be  used  to  mislead  decision-­‐makers  and  the  
public,  and  proposed  design  guidelines  to  foster  ethical  pracCce  by  cartographers.  By  1993,  Craig  had  laid  
the  groundwork  for  a  GIS  Code  of  Ethics  (Craig,  1993).  Onsrud  (1995)  recommended  that  the  moral  
reasoning  of  GIS  professionals  in  response  to  a  set  of  “ethical  conflict  scenarios”  be  surveyed  as  a  way  to  
gauge  the  extent  to  which  moral  consensus  about  GIS  pracCce  exists.  A  code  of  conduct  derived  from  
“observaCon  and  analysis  of  current  pracCce  contexts  and  moral  condiCons,”  Onsrud  (1995)  wrote,  should  
be  “evaluated  and  honed  by  conCnuously  reassessing  (the  Code’s)  conformance  with  theory”  (p.  94).  
 
Compliance  with  a  GIS  Code  of  Ethics  (wricen  primarily  by  Craig)  is  included  among  the  requirements  for  
cerCficaCon  as  a  “GIS  Professional”  (GISP)  by  the  GIS  CerCficaCon  InsCtute  (hcp://www.gisci.org),  a  program  
that  began  accepCng  applicaCons  in  2004.  GISCI’s  Ethics  Commicee  now  seeks  to  compile  a  collecCon  of  
authenCc  case  studies  to  help  GISPs  develop  moral  reasoning  skills  (Craig,  2006).  Meanwhile,  following  the  
lead  of  more  established  fields  like  Computer  Science,  the  University  ConsorCum  for  Geographic  InformaCon  
Science  (UCGIS)  developed  a  Geographic  Informa,on  Science  and  Technology  (GIS&T)  Body  of  Knowledge  
(DiBiase,  DeMers,  Johnson,  Kemp,  Luck,  Plewe  &  Wentz  2006).  Published  by  the  AAG,  the  GIS&T  Body  of  
Knowledge  highlights  such  ethical  and  legal  issues  as  privacy,  access,  intellectual  property,  and  others,  
among  the  329  topics  that  comprise  the  GIS&T  knowledge  domain.  “Ethical  aspects”  is  included  among  the  
“core”  units  that  UCGIS  recommends  as  part  of  every  geospaCal  cerCficate  and  degree  program  curriculum.  
 
 
 Con/nued  
As  GIS&T  conCnues  to  cohere  into  a  disCnct  field,  emerging  technologies  introduce  increasingly  worrisome  ethical  challenges,  including  
such  locaCon-­‐based  services  as  “human  tracking.”  Dobson  and  Fisher  (2003)  challenge  society  to  “contemplate  a  new  form  of  slavery  
characterized  by  locaCon  control”  (p.  47),  arguing  that  “...the  countless  benefits  of  [locaCon-­‐based  services]  are  countered  by  social  hazards  
unparalleled  in  human  history”  (p.  47).  Clearly,  there  is  an  urgent  need  for  pracCcal  ethics  educaCon  that  bridges  the  gap  between  criCcal  
theory  and  professional  pracCce  in  GIS&T.  Lessons  learned  in  allied  fields  will  help  GIS  educators  respond  effecCvely.  The  following  table  is  
Davis’  (1999)  “Seven-­‐Step  Guide  to  Ethical  Decision  Making”.    
 References  
• Craig,  W.  J.  (1993).  A  GIS  Code  of  Ethics:  What  can  we  learn  from  other  organiza/ons?  Journal  of  the  Urban  and  Regional  
Informa5on  Systems  Associa5on,  5(2),  13-­‐16.  Retrieved  23  March  2005  from  hVp://www.urisa.org/cer/fica/on/
craigeth.pdf  
• Craig,  W.  J.  (2006).  Ethics  for  GIS  professionals  (Panel  discussion).  Associa/on  of  American  Geographers  Annual  Mee/ng,  
Chicago  IL.  
• Davis,  M.  (1999)  Ethics  and  the  University.  London:  Routledge.  
• DiBiase,  D.,  DeMers,  M.,  Johnson,  A.B.,  Kemp,  K.K.,  Plewe,  B.P.,  &  Wentz,  E.A.,  Eds.  (2006).  The  Geographic  Informa5on  
Science  and  Technology  Body  of  Knowledge.  Washington,  DC:  AAG.  
• Dobson,  J.E.  &  Fisher,  P.F.  (2003).  Geoslavery.  IEEE  Technology  and  Society  Magazine,  Spring,  47-­‐52.  
• Harley,  J.  B.  (1988).  Maps,  Knowledge,  and  Power.  In  D.  Cosgrove  and  S.  Daniels,  Eds.,  The  Iconography  of  Landscape,  pp.  
277-­‐312.  Cambridge:  Cambridge  University  Press.  
• Harley,  J.  B.  (1991).  Can  there  be  a  cartographic  ethics?  Cartographic  Perspec5ves,  10,  9-­‐16.  
• McHaffie,  P.,  Andrews,  S.,  Dobson,  M.,  &  “Two  anonymous  employees  of  a  federal  mapping  agency”  (1990)  Ethical  
problems  in  cartography:  A  roundtable  commentary.  Cartographic  Perspec5ves,  7,  3-­‐13.  
• Monmonier,  M.S.  (1991).  Ethics  and  map  design:  Six  strategies  for  confron/ng  the  tradi/onal  one-­‐map  solu/on.  
Cartographic  Perspec5ves,  10,  3-­‐8.  
• Monmonier,  M.S.  (1996).  How  to  Lie  with  Maps.  Chicago:  University  of  Chicago  Press  
• Onsrud,  H.J.  (1995).  Iden/fying  unethical  conduct  in  the  use  of  GIS.  Cartography  and  Geographic  Informa5on  Systems,  
22(1),  90-­‐97.  
• Pickles,  J.  (1991).  Geography,  GIS,  and  the  surveillant  society.  Papers  and  Proceedings  of  Applied  Geography  Conferences,  
14:  80-­‐91.  
• Pickles,  J.,  Ed.  (1995).  Ground  Truth:  The  Social  Implica5ons  of  Geographic  Informa5on  Systems.  New  
• Schuurman,  N.  (2000).  Trouble  in  the  heartland:  GIS  and  it  cri/cs  in  the  1990s.  Progress  in  Human  Geography,  24(4),  
569-­‐590.  
• Smith,  N.  (1992).  History  and  philosophy  of  geography:  real  wars,  theory  wars.  Progress  in  Human  Geography,  16,  
257-­‐271.  
 Code  of  Ethics  of  the  American  Society  for  
Photogrammetry  and  Remote  Sensing  
hVp://www.asprs.org/a/membership/cer/fica/on/appendix_a.html  

Honesty,  jusCce,  and  courtesy  form  a  moral  philosophy  which,  associated  with  mutual  interest  among  people,  should  be  the  principles  on  which  ethics  are  founded.  
Each  person  who  is  engaged  in  the  use,  development,  and  improvement  of  the  mapping  sciences  (Photogrammetry,  Remote  Sensing,  Geographic  InformaCon  
Systems,  and  related  disciplines)  should  accept  those  principles  as  a  set  of  dynamic  guides  for  conduct  and  a  way  of  life  rather  than  merely  for  passive  observance.  It  
is  an  inherent  obligaCon  to  apply  oneself  to  one’s  profession  with  all  diligence  and  in  so  doing  to  be  guided  by  this.  
 
Accordingly,  each  person  in  the  mapping  sciences  profession  shall  have  full  regard  for  achieving  excellence  in  the  pracCce  of  the  profession  and  the  essenCality  of  
maintaining  the  highest  standards  of  ethical  conduct  in  responsibiliCes  and  work  for  an  employer,  all  clients,  colleagues  and  associates,  and  society  at  large,  and  
shall  .  .  .  
 
1.  Be  guided  in  all  professional  acCviCes  by  the  highest  standards  and  be  a  faithful  trustee  or  agent  in  all  macers  for  each  client  or  employer.    
2.  At  all  Cmes  funcCon  in  such  a  manner  as  will  bring  credit  and  dignity  to  the  mapping  sciences  profession.    
3.  Not  compete  unfairly  with  anyone  who  is  engaged  in  the  mapping  sciences  profession  by:  
a.  AdverCsing  in  a  self-­‐laudatory  manner;    
b.  Monetarily  exploiCng  one’s  own  or  another’s  employment  posiCon;    
c.  Publicly  criCcizing  other  persons  working  in  or  having  an  interest  in  the  mapping  sciences;    
d.  Exercising  undue  influence  or  pressure,  or  soliciCng  favors  through  offering  monetary  inducements.  
4.  Work  to  strengthen  the  profession  of  mapping  sciences  by:  
a.  Personal  effort  directed  toward  improving  personal  skills  and  knowledge;    
b.  Interchange  of  informaCon  and  experience  with  other  persons  interested  in  and  using  a  mapping  science,  with  other  professions,  and  with  students  and  the  public;    
c.  Seeking  to  provide  opportuniCes  for  professional  development  and  advancement  of  persons  working  under  his  or  her  supervision;    
d.  PromoCng  the  principle  of  appropriate  compensaCon  for  work  done  by  person  in  their  employ.  
5.  Undertake  only  such  assignments  in  the  use  of  mapping  sciences  for  which  one  is  qualified  by  educaCon,  training,  and  experience,  and  employ  or  advise  the  
employment  of  experts  and  specialists  when  and  whenever  clients  or  employers  interests  will  be  best  served  thereby.    
6.  Give  appropriate  credit  to  other  persons  and/or  firms  for  their  professional  contribuCons.    
7.  Recognize  the  proprietary,  privacy,  legal,  and  ethical  interests  and  rights  of  others.  This  not  only  refers  to  the  adopCon  of  these  principles  in  the  general  conduct  of  
business  and  professional  acCviCes,  but  also  as  they  relate  specifically  to  the  appropriate  and  honest  applicaCon  of  photogrammetry,  remote  sensing,  geographic  
informaCon  systems,  and  related  spaCal  technologies.  Subscribers  to  this  code  shall  not  condone,  promote,  advocate,  or  tolerate  any  organizaCon’s  or  individual’s  use  
of  these  technologies  in  a  manner  that  knowingly  contributes  to:  
a.  decepCon  through  data  alteraCon;    
b.  circumvenCon  of  the  law;    
c.  transgression  of  reasonable  and  legiCmate  expectaCon  of  privacy.  
 Code  of  Ethics  of  the  GIS  Cer/fica/on  Ins/tute  
hVp://www.gisci.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics.aspx  

This  code  is  based  on  the  ethical  principle  of  always  treaCng  others  with  respect  and  never  merely  as  means  to  an  end.  It  requires  us  to  consider  the  impact  of  our  
acCons  on  other  persons  and  to  modify  our  acCons  to  reflect  the  respect  and  concern  we  have  for  them.    It  emphasizes  our  obligaCons  to  other  persons,  to  our  
colleagues  and  the  profession,  to  our  employers,  and  to  society  as  a  whole.    Those  obligaCons  provide  the  organizing  structure  for  these  guidelines.  
A  few  of  the  guidelines  that  are  unique  to  the  GIS  profession  include  the  encouragement  to  make  data  and  findings  widely  available,  to  document  data  and  products,  
to  be  acCvely  involved  in  data  retenCon  and  security,  to  show  respect  for  copyright  and  other  intellectual  property  rights,  and  to  display  concern  for  the  sensiCve  data  
about  individuals  discovered  through  geospaCal  or  database  manipulaCons.    Longer  statements  expand  on  or  provide  examples  for  the  GIS  profession.  
 
GIS  professionals  commit  themselves  to  ethical  behavior  rather  than  merely  seeking  to  avoid  specific  acts.    The  problems  with  lisCng  acts  to  be  avoided  are:  1)  there  
are  usually  reasonable  excepCons  to  any  avoidance  rule  and  2)  there  is  implicit  approval  of  any  act  not  on  the  list.    Instead,  this  code  provides  a  list  of  many  posiCve  
acCons.    These  explicit  acCons  illustrate  respect  for  others  and  help  strengthen  both  an  understanding  of  this  ethos  and  a  commitment  to  it.  
 
This  code  is  not  expected  to  provide  guidelines  for  all  situaCons.    AmbiguiCes  will  occur  and  personal  judgment  will  be  required.    SomeCmes  a  GIS  professional  
becomes  stuck  in  a  dilemma  where  two  right  acCons  are  in  conflict  with  each  other  or  any  course  of  acCon  violates  some  aspect  of  this  code.    Help  might  come  from  
talking  with  colleagues  or  reading  relevant  works  such  as  those  listed  in  the  bibliography.    UlCmately,  a  professional  must  reflect  carefully  on  such  situaCons  before  
making  the  tough  decision.    ContemplaCng  the  values  and  goals  of  alternaCve  ethical  paradigms  may  be  useful  in  reaching  a  decision:  
 
• View  persons  who  exemplify  morality  as  your  own  guide  (Virtue  Ethics)  
• Acempt  to  maximize  the  happiness  of  everyone  affected  (UClitarianism)  
• Only  follow  maxims  of  conduct  that  everyone  else  could  adopt  (KanCanism)  
• Always  treat  other  persons  as  ends,  never  merely  as  means  (Deontology)  

ObligaCons  to  Society  

Doe  the  Best  Work  Possible  
Contribute  to  the  Community  to  the  Extent  Possible,  Feasible,  and  Advisable  
Speak  Out  About  Issues  
ObligaCons  to  Employers  and  Funders  
Deliver  Quality  Work  
Have  a  Professional  RelaConship  
Be  Honest  in  RepresentaCons  
ObligaCons  to  Colleagues  and  the  Profession  
Respect  the  Work  of  Others  
Contribute  to  the  Discipline  to  the  Extent  Possible  
ObligaCons  to  Individuals  in  Society  
Respect  Privacy  
Respect  Individuals  
 
 Future  Issues  for  GIS  
◆ Privacy  (or  lack  thereof)  
◆ MisinterpretaCon  of  data  leading  to  consequenCal  decisions    
◆ Data  ownership  

If  the  above  is  the  future,  is  it  all  worth  it?  OR,  will  
the  above  lead  to:  
BeVer  data  

More  investment  in  Data/GIS   More  GIS  use  

BeVer  decisions  
 What  is  Next?  
• The  future  of  GeospaCal  Technologies  is  in  your  hands  
• GIS  user  needs  are  both  for  small  one-­‐person  systems  and  
large  mulCperson  systems.  
• GIS  soAware  research  is  acCve  and  conCnues  to  build  new  
developments.  
• GIS  will  become  increasingly  interoperable  as  concepts,  user  
interfaces,  and  funcCons  become  more  standardized.  
• As  a  geospaCal  analyst,  specialist,  or  pracConer  you  have  the  
capability  to  use  (or  misuse)  the  power  of  Geographic  
InformaCon  Science  and  Technologies  to  study  and  solve  
some  of  the  world's  major  problems.