An evaluation of the application of Geographical Information
Systems in the key stages of the Environmental Impact Assessment
Process
For nearly 40 years the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process has been applied to environmental developments to ensure that the impacts on the environment are properly understood and assessed, alongside the social and economic impacts, to aid the final decision about whether the development can be approved. This process also ensures that, where these impacts will have an adverse effect, measures are put in place to mitigate them and a monitoring program developed to assess the effectiveness these measures throughout the construction and operational phases of the development. Initially, this process was carried out with little or no assistance from information and communications technology and relied on subjective, non-spatial methods, such as checklists, matrices, and flowcharts and mathematical models.
In recent years new tools and approaches have been developed to support the process, such as geographical information systems (GIS) and structured modelling methodologies. Because of the spatial nature of many impacts, GIS has proven very effective in analysing data for their assessment and presenting the results. As the availability and functionality of this technology has increased and data sources have become more accessible, the application of GIS throughout the EIA process has continued to develop, however, there are still activities within the process that do not fully exploit its potential (Haklay et al, 1998).
Through a review of current research and a questionnaire survey, this project has analysed the activities that take place in the EIA process to establish where GIS is currently being applied, where this is considered most effective and where it is not currently utilised. An analysis of the functionality available in a standard GIS product (ArcView) was then carried out and reviewed alongside the activities that take place in the EIA process to establish where there is potential for further application of GIS technologies.
The findings of the survey supports the view that, while the application of GIS in the EIA process has expanded over the last 20 years, there is still further potential for its use, especially in areas where current practices are perceived as inadequate, such as, scoping and public participation. GIS continues to be applied as a practical tool, but in a relatively narrow range of operations, for example, map display, overlay and buffering. The more sophisticated functionality of GIS is not fully exploited, for example, complex data analysis to support external models, data management and modelling within the GIS (Morris & Therivel, 2006).
The design of the geospatial groundwater data model for Bosnia and Herzegovina
89% of the overall sources of water supply in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina are mainly based on the use of groundwater sources ((Barbalic Z. et al., 1998). The explorations data indicate hydrogeothermal potentiality on about 40% of its territory and many sources and impounding groundwater reservoirs of mineral water (Mosic N., 2001). Large volumes of suface and subsurface hydrogeological data, with some parameters that exhibit high temporal variability, can be difficult to manage. Analysing it can be nearly impossible simply by viewing reports and elaborations or tabular data. Geographic Information System (GIS) can be one of the solutions for the management of hydrogeological data. In this research the logical groundwater data model for the management of hydrogeological data at the Geological Survey of Federation B&H is developed. The logical data model is articulated into a universal modeling language (UML) diagram. The Case tool MS Visio 2003 and the ArcInfo UML Model template is used to build the logical data model. UML was also used for generating a XML file which, is then applied to a geodatabase to create the schema. The model is further refined using ArcCatalog tool. The groundwater data model takes use of the raster catalog, but its representation in UML software packages such as Visio is not yet supported by Arc Objects. Instead of creating the new one using ArcCatalog tool, raster catalog is imported from the ESRI’s ArcHydro Groundwater data model schema. The research also contains a discussion and analysis of science relating to the following specific areas: data models in GIS, specially modelling the three dimensions and time. Also, the applications of GIS for groundwater studies are reviewed. The research stresses the importance of the organisational issues within the process of designing the GIS data model.
Keywords: GIS data model; User requirements analysis; ArcHydro Groundwater data model; time series data.
Mapping the Name: Spatial Data Quality and the Welsh Minority Language
The Welsh minority language has seen a resurgence in recent years, after a century of decline. Protected by statute, the language is now central to all aspects of central and local government activity in the principality. The language strategy, ‘Iaith Pawb’ (Everyones Language) aims to achieve a ‘truly bilingual Wales’, where citizens can live their lives through the medium of either or both Welsh or English.
Welsh place names, and their depiction on road signs, maps and elsewhere, have long been associated with the health of the language in the regions. Names can be treated as elements of spatial data or as elements of a particular language. This is a complex and at times problematic relationship, with Ordnance Surveys name specification often at odds with the needs of Welsh speakers. This study aims to identify whether the accuracy of place names, achieved by their treatment as spatial data, measures up to the linguistic standards demanded by Welsh language law and strategy.
A measurement of the accuracy of Welsh place names in the mapping context was carried out by quality audit. This highlighted a wealth of problem areas including error of omission, completeness and consistency. A questionnaire survey assessed the extent to which Welsh Language Officers had achieved a linguistic standard for place names. This determined the difficulty that is inherent in translating national policy at a regional level, with the extent of standardisation work depending on the status of the language in any given area.
To ensure that geographic information can play a full role in the Assembly vision of a ‘truly bilingual Wales’, achieving a consensus on quality from both a spatial data and language perspective is key and Ordnance Survey should play a key enabling role.
The Evolution of Symbols and Icons in Geographic Information Systems – A Cartographic Perspective
This research conducts a comparative study of symbols and symbol use in the pre-Geographic Information Systems and post-Geographic Information
Systems eras to determine if there has been a fundamental change in the kinds of symbol used and the manner of their usage.
The methodology was primarily based on interpretive and critical thinking qualitative philosophies because they favour the studying of cartographic visualisation and human behaviour. Pre-GIS symbols were interpreted and compared to those used currently within GIS to ascertain whether any correlation exists.
Technology has resulted in map making being accessible to the masses but the map maker is still influenced by the social and cultural world they exist in. It can be concluded therefore, that technology will not have a profound effect on the end product, but the current belief system of the person does have.
A Continuous Quality Improvement Cycle for Geographic
Information Systems within the Mapping Unit of the Malta
Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA)
The increasingly diverse uses and users of spatial information, together with the ever-improving technology more demanding end users, are pushing the market to adjust to rapidly changing requirements. Spatial data and end users and producers are perceived to be unrelated.
The principle purpose of this research is to contribute to the operations of the Mapping Unit of the Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) so that they are better adapted to the modern working environment.
The research has identified tools that have to be in place for the implementation of a continuous quality improvement cycle. It is evident from the study that the MU is operating without any written standards or specifications. Things keep moving on due to the fact that the staff has been working together for many years. Nevertheless the survey has identified that the majority of customers are satisfied with the quality of products and service they receive. The research has also identified that quality practices come from isolated individual efforts rather than collective efforts.
The analysis showed that it is feasible for the Mapping Unit to implement a continuous quality improvement cycle. While there appears to be a number of limitations to implement a continuous quality improvement system, they are within the control of the Unit.
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