Hello good people, I am beginning research into ways in which mapping technologies like GIS (1) are being used (and can potentially be used) to help avert or cope with humanitarian disasters.
The tragedy of New Orleans has given me some insight into the potential and limitations for this use of geospatial technologies. Thanks to Andy Carvin for applying his blogging/networking skills to this problem and prompting this line of thinking. Recent discussion of geocoded pictures has also been stimulating. GIS is a sophisticated, robust technology that is being used to map and analyze data in numerous fields, especially environmental studies and public health. One of the most compelling features of GIS research is that it takes advantage of the contemporary wealth of data that is collected by all kinds of environmental monitors. (eg: weather is monitored constantly, and existing datasets can be mapped geospatially to discover, for example, patterns in flooding or to predict the best time to plant crops.) New Orleans has for some time been the subject of extensive GIS research because of it precarious position below sea level. The availability of this technology has, I feel certain, prevented or alleviated numerous problems created by the hurricane. I am interested in discovering similar, existing applications for GIS in poorer parts of the world. I would also like to find discussion/research of _potential_ uses, especially, again, in the context of poverty. The center for New Orleans GIS research is at Louisiana State University; they have an excellent website(2) that distributes their GIS data. I doubt that there is any much more sophisticated model of GIS research. What fascinates me is that, although I am new to GIS, it appears that there is a strong "open source sensibility" about their work -- the information is provided free and intended for extended use. How can this be expanded and reproduced? Thanks for any leads in this subject, Chris Blow http://www.pictr.org (1) Definition of GIS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gis (2) Louisiana state GIS research: http://www.publichealth.hurricane.lsu.edu _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
