Introduction to GIS – Mapping of
both spatial and attribute data
MD 1 (SEMESTER 2)
10/29/2024 Eng. D. R. Rweyemamu (PhD) 1
TOPIC OBJECTIVES:
• This is an introductory topic designed to provide
the student with:
– An overview of the development and basic principles
of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
– GIS capabilities – including mapping of key
environmental features that influence public health
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TOPIC OUTLINE:
1. Geographic Information Technologies
2. What is GIS?
3. Components of GIS
4. Types of Data
5. GIS Capabilities
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An Introduction to GIS
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1. Geographic Information Technologies
Three main types:
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Remote Sensing (RS)
Geographic Information System (GIS)
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1. Geographic Information Technologies
Global Positioning System (GPS):
Refers to a system of satellites and
receivers that allow people and devices
to pinpoint their precise location on
the earth. Example?
Signals are received by a special electronic
device called GPS Receiver
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1. Geographic Information Technologies
Remote Sensing (RS):
Defined as the acquisition of information about an
object without being in physical contact with it.
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2. What does GIS stand for?
• Geographic
(Geography):
what is where?
When?
• Information
• System
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2. What is a Geographic Information System?
• GIS – A computer-based system that is used to input,
store, organize, manipulate, analyze, retrieve and
output of geographically-referenced data or spatially-
referenced information.
• In broader sense, GIS comprises hardware, software,
data, and people.
– Data – Any collection of related facts; the basic elements
of information.
– Information - Data that have been processed to be useful;
provides answers to "who", "what", "where", and "when"
questions.
Note: GPS & RS are sources of input data for a GIS.
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2. What is a Geographic Information System?
Intuitive description (summary):
• A map with a database behind it.
• A virtual representation of the real
world and its infrastructure.
• A consistent “as-built” of the real
world, natural man-made, which is:
– queried to support on-going
operations.
– summarized to support strategic
decision making and policy formulation
– analyzed to support scientific inquiry
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3. What are the components of a GIS?
We understand GIS to be computer facilitated
system
But it is NOT only software and
Hardware (printer, scanner, plotter)
Also includes:
• Data – both spatial and aspatial (attribute)
• Trained personnel
• Supporting Institution
• Protocols for use
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4. Types of Data
GIS stores two types of data – Graphic data (spatial
data) and Non-Graphic data (Attribute data)
Spatial data: specifies location (where?) of the feature
(points, lines, polygons).
Attribute data (descriptive data): specifies the
characteristics of that location (spatial data) – stored in
a database table.
GIS traditionally maintain spatial and attribute data
separately, then “join” them for display or analysis.
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Representing Data with Raster and Vector Models
Raster Model
• area is covered by grid with (usually) equal-sized, square cells
• attributes are recorded by assigning each cell a single value
based on the majority feature (attribute) in the cell, such as land
use type.
• Image data is a special case of raster data
– cells in image data often called pixels (picture elements)
Vector Model
• The fundamental concept of vector GIS is that all geographic
features in the real world can be represented either as:
• points or dots (nodes): trees, poles, fire plugs, airports, cities
• lines (arcs): streams, streets, sewers, roads
• areas (polygons): land parcels, cities, counties, forest, hospital
buildings
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Concept of
Vector and Raster Real World
Raster Representation
Vector Representation
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
0 R T
1 R T
2 H R
point
3 R line
4 R R
5 R
6 R T T H
7 R T T polygon
8 R
9 R
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Smart Vector—Pavement polygons
Dumb Images
& Smart GIS Data
Smart Raster—5 feet grids
Images—dumb rasters
(although they look good!)
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5. GIS Capabilities: Example 1
• The interaction between the database and the
map, along with the ability to create graphs,
tables and reports.
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GIS Capabilities: Example 2
Malarial Deaths per 10,000 People
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KEY RESEARCH FINDINGS – Example 3
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GIS Capabilities: Example 4
Cancer type (C20 & C21 in
Tanzania
C20&C21-2010.pdf
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Applications of GIS
• Urban Planning, Management & Policy Civil Engineering/Utility
• Zoning, subdivision planning Locating underground facilities
• Land acquisition Designing alignment for freeways, transit
• Economic development Coordination of infrastructure
• Code enforcement maintenance
• Housing renovation programs Business
• Emergency response Demographic Analysis
• Crime analysis Market Penetration/ Share Analysis
• Tax assessment Site Selection
• Environmental Sciences Real Estate
• Monitoring environmental risk Neighborhood land prices
• Modeling storm water runoff Traffic Impact Analysis
• Management of watersheds, floodplains, Determination of Highest and Best Use
wetlands, forests, aquifers Health Care
• Environmental Impact Analysis Public Health and Epidemiology
• Hazardous or toxic facility siting
Needs Analysis
• Groundwater modeling and contamination
Service Inventory
tracking
• Political Science
• Redistricting
• Analysis of election results
• 10/29/2024
Predictive modeling Eng. D. R. Rweyemamu (PhD) 20
GIS Before Computers
Cholera Map of Dr. John Snow (UK 1850s)
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END OF LECTURE
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