Geographic Information System (GIS)

CEN-203 Geomatics Engineering II

 Contents

1. Introduction to GIS 5. Digital Elevation Model

2. Vector Data 6. Buffering and Overlay
3. Raster Data 7. Spatial Analysis
4. Database Creation 8. Applications of GIS
Introduction to GIS
Introduction to GIS
Introduction to GIS
Introduction to GIS
Introduction to GIS
GIS is a computer system for capturing, storing,
checking, and displaying data related to positions
on Earth’s surface. This enables people to
understand patterns and relationships (National
Geographic).

GIS is a framework for gathering, managing, and

analyzing data. It analyzes spatial location and
organizes layers of information into visualizations
using maps (ESRI).

GIS is a tool that can accept large volumes of spatial

data derived from a variety of sources, retrieve,
manipulate, analyze, and display them according to
user-defined specifications

A powerful set of tools collecting, storing, retrieving

at will, transforming and displaying spatial data
from the real word (Burrough 1986).
Introduction to GIS
Introduction to GIS
 Types of Information Systems

Transaction Processing Information System

Emphasis on recording, updating, and retrieving information as per the
occurrence of operations
e.g. Banking systems, Airline Reservation Systems

Decision Support Information System

Emphasis on manipulation, analysis, and particularly modelling to support
decision makers
e.g. market analysis, resource planning, defense

GIS belongs to Decision Support Information System

 GI is Special
Almost everything happens somewhere in physical domain

It is important to know where things happen

GI is multidimensional, requires data integration, data updates are

expensive and time-consuming, map displays require fast data
retrieval

GIS helps in reduction of data redundancy, data integration,

maintains data consistency, easy data updates, data storage and
retrieval, data processing and modeling, automated mapping

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/2f289f1a06ba4f2d95b3fbf3133c50f9
 Origin of GIS
Geography

Cartography

CAD and computer graphics

Surveying and Photogrammetry

Remote Sensing and Space Technology

 Components of GIS
Hardware
High end workstations

Software
Geo-processing engine of GIS
Functions are to collect, store, manage,
query, analyze, and visualize

GIS data base

Database of spatial and non-spatial entities

People responsible for designing,

implementation and using GIS
 Components of GIS Database
In GIS, reality or real-world data is represented
according to two types of data elements

1. Geographical (spatial) data element

2. Attribute (non-spatial) data element

Example
Administrative boundaries and census data
Road network and traffic information
 GIS and other Information systems
Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems
• Design new objects
• Use of symbols to represent features
• Links to Databases is rudimentary
• Handles small quantities of data
• No use-defined criteria analysis

Database Management Systems (DBMS)

• Well developed storage and retrieval of attribute data
• Limited graphical display
• Do not support spatial analytical operations

Remote Sensing Systems

• Store, manipulate, display raster data collected from sensors
• Great at enhancement and classification of remotely sensed images
• No support for operations like network analysis
• Limited DBMS
GIS and other Information systems
Geographic Information Systems

• Evolved from previous systems

• Capable to analyze spatial data and associated attribute data

• Supports Spatial analysis and modeling

• Spatial searching and overlay operations are unique to GIS

 Capabilities of GIS
What is at a given location? Where does it occur?
GIS is used for data queries such as where is Taj Mahal, what is
at latitude 29051’ and longitude 77053’?

What has changed? What is the pattern?

Spatial data is spread across several layers and used for
suitability analysis e.g. best location for constructing a retail
store, how has landform changed across a given area

What happens if scenarios?

GIS is evolved as a decision support system. E.g. How much area
will be inundated if level of water flow in a river crosses the
danger mark?
 Applications of GIS
Agriculture Planning Emergency Operations

https://noaa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=d9ed7904dbec441a9c4dd7b277935fad&entry=1
AbdelRahman et al. 2016,
Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, 19,125-141
 References

Slide1
IIT Google Earth Image

Slide 3-7
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/geographic-information-system-gis/
Google Maps

Slide 8
Seismicity of the world: http://www.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/2017/08/28/seismicity-map-of-
the-world-updated/

Slide 9
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Snow