Spatial data infrastructures for cities in developing countries: Lessons from the Bangkok experience

The cities of the developing world face major problems in managing growth and their urban infrastructure. The experiences of cities in the developed world have usually proved inappropriate in developing countries and consequently new and innovative solutions are continually being explored for these...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cities 2000-04, Vol.17 (2), p.85-96
Main Authors: Bishop, Ian D, Escobar, Francisco J, Karuppannan, Sadasivam, Suwarnarat, Ksemsan, Williamson, Ian P, Yates, Paul M, Yaqub, Haider W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cities
Developing countries
Geographic information systems
Geographical information systems
Human settlements
Information technology
Public infrastructure
Spatial data infrastructures
Spatial dimension
Sustainable development
Thailand
Urban
Urban environment
Urban space
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Summary:The cities of the developing world face major problems in managing growth and their urban infrastructure. The experiences of cities in the developed world have usually proved inappropriate in developing countries and consequently new and innovative solutions are continually being explored for these cities. Geographic information systems and the underlying spatial data infrastructures appear to offer significant potential to assist in managing human settlements in developing countries. In examining the status of spatial data infrastructures in developing countries, the first part of the paper compares cities in developing countries to those in the developed world. It then highlights issues facing developing countries in establishing spatial data infrastructures to support efficient urban land management. The paper describes the Bangkok Land Information System as an example of a city attempting to use spatial information technologies to manage the urban environment. This case study, together with the experience of the authors, are used to describe generic issues involved in the development of spatial data infrastructures for cities in similar socio-economic conditions. The paper provides a technical and institutional framework for the development of spatial data infrastructures for cities in developing countries. The paper concludes by suggesting that simple, low cost, project oriented, easily maintained and user-friendly spatial information technologies have the best chance of success.
ISSN:0264-2751
1873-6084
DOI:10.1016/S0264-2751(00)00004-4