1.1 Introduction
A Geographical Information System (GIS) is a system of hardware, software and procedures to facilitate the management, manipulation, analysis, modeling, representation and display of geo-referenced data to solve complex problems regarding planning and management of resources. Functions of GIS include data entry, data display, data management, information retrieval and analysis. The applications of GIS include mapping locations, quantities and densities, finding distances and mapping and monitoring change. There are mainly three categories of geographic positioning systems to determine or track a user’s location, which have been designed and proposed over the years. A GIS (Geographic Information System) represents an ensemble of hardware-software for capturing stocking, validating, managing, analyzing and visualizing data that have a geographic reference.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
A GIS is custom-designed for an organization. Hence, a GIS developed for an application, jurisdiction, enterprise, or purpose may not be necessarily interoperable or compatible with a GIS that has been developed for some other application, jurisdiction, enterprise, or purpose. What goes beyond a GIS is a spatial data infrastructure, a concept that has no such restrictive boundaries. In a general sense, the term describes any information system that integrates stores, edits, analyzes, shares, and displays geographic information for informing decision making. GIS applications are tools that allow users to create interactive queries (user-created searches), analyze spatial information, edit data in maps, and present the results of all these operations. Geographic information science is the science underlying geographic concepts, applications, and systems.
There are several definitions of GIS in existence. However, none of such definitions is universally accepted. It is difficult to agree on a single definition for GIS for the simple reason that various kinds of GIS exist, each made for different purposes and for different types of decision making. As we will see shortly in the range of definitions presented below, people offer definitions of GIS with different emphasis on various aspects of GIS.
Man has always used geographical information. Geographical features and data gathering form part of our everyday lives. Indeed, most of the decisions we make on a daily basis are influenced by some aspects of geography. Hence, one would be right to say that, generally speaking, geographical information system is as old as man himself. However, in this unit our focus is on modern geographical information system.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Investigation revealed that the application of GIS is so enormous that it is only limited to the mindset of the administrators and users. This project therefore focuses on the visualization and manipulation of geospatial information to support decision making in urban development and other areas the GIS can be applied. The existing system of geographic information system involves lots and lots of paper work. The system involves that all the records of the differences in the location are kept on paper while a geographer examines and brings out a conclusion based on their finding.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to design and implement a Geographical Information System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to develop an application software that will:
- Provide advanced knowledge of GIS methodologies and applications within the student's own area of interest;
- Give a comprehensive education in Geographical Information Systems (GIS);
- Showcase the skills and techniques to input, manage, analyze and display spatial information; and
- Introduce students to the concepts and the techniques of handling geographical data through a particular form of information system.
1.5 Significance of Study
GIS benefits organizations of all sizes and in almost every industry. There is a growing interest in and awareness of the economic and strategic value of GIS, in part because of more standards-based technology and greater awareness of the benefits demonstrated by GIS users. The number of GIS enterprise solutions and IT strategies that include GIS are growing rapidly.
The significance of this study was to help and give a benefit to the student, business marketers, geologists, methodologists, school management, companies, and other places that need this system. The system would improve the monitoring capacities of those who maintain the system.
This study will also be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Design and Implementation of Geographical Information System.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Definition of Terms
Geographic Information System (GIS): An organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information.
Global Positioning System (GPS): A satellite based device that records x,y,z coordinates and other data. Ground locations are calculated by signals from satellites orbiting the Earth. GPS devices can be taken into the field to record data while walking, driving, or flying.
Layer: A logical set of thematic data described and stored in a map library. Layers act as digital transparencies that can be laid atop one another for viewing or spatial analysis.
Attribute: A characteristic of a geographic feature, typically stored in tabular format and linked to the feature in a relational database. The attributes of a well-represented point might include an identification number, address, and type.
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