Spatial Agents
Chair: A. Camara, New University of Lisbon, Monte de Caparica, Portugal
Presenters: Jonathan Raper, Birbeck College, United Kingdom; Armanda Rodrigues, Centro Nacional de Informacao Geografica, Portugal; Michael Worboys, Keele University, United Kingdom
In this seminar, the emerging field of spatial agents will be introduced. The presentations will cover the theoretical and development issues related to the use of agents in traditional and Internet based Spatial Information Systems (SIS). The role of agents in the design of intelligent user interfaces for SIS will also be discussed.
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Developments and Applications of Digital Elevation Models in Environmental Modelling
Chair: Joao Ribeiro da Costa, New University of Lisbon, Monte de Caparica, Portugal
Presenters: Andrew K. Skidmore, International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC), Enschede, The Netherlands; Robert Weibel, Department of Geography, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
World coverage of Digital Elevation Models is improving quickly in coverage and quality. New sources of DEMs from Space Shuttle-borne radar sensors with better than 100m resolution for some 80 percent of the earth's surface are being planned for the year 2000 and many other sources of local and global DEMs can be purchased or obtained over the Internet. This progress seminar will first present the state-of-the-art knowledge on modelling, storing and retrieving digital elevation data and will then explore some of the many ways that digital elevation data can be put to good use in environmental modelling, such as hydrological studies, microclimatology and vegetation and ecological science.
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GIS, Decision Support and Planning
Chair: John Stillwell, University of Leeds,Leeds, United Kingdom
Presenters: Paul Longley, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Mike Batty, University College London, London, United Kingdom
It is the purpose of this Progress Seminar to go into the merits of the use and not-use of GIS in urban and regional planning and on the regional differences in application worldwide. In addition, a personal view will be given concerning the future application of GIS in planning.
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Emergence of the Large Multiple Utilities in Europe
Chair/Presenter: B. McMillan, AM/FM European Division, Bolton, United Kingdom
Presenters: F.H.M. Mischgofsky, Delft Geotechnics, Delft, The Netherlands; J. Seddon, NORWEB plc., Manchester, United Kingdom
In the late 1940's the necessary capital investment was not available in most European private companies and local authorities to maintain and expand the main services, electricity, gas, water and telephones which they provided. These services were therefore nationalised and operated either as national or regional organisations or funded by a combination of local authorities/public/private shareholders. During the period late 1970's to mid 1990's there have been changes in governments and legislation which allowed these nationalised services to be returned back into the private sector. In addition, many local authority services have also been returned wholly or in part to the private sector in order to make available the necessary funds from shareholders. All of these utilities are subject to significant regulations which are amended as market conditions change. In some countries these utilities are also required to reduce the cost of the service to the customer in real terms during each period of regulatory review. In addition, the monopoly areas of service franchise are being progressively deregulated which will offer customers greater choice of supplier and possible further reductions in prices.
The presenters will describe the developments which have taken place in their companies arising from these changes in legislation, deregulation, foreign investment and the reasons for the emergence of the large multiple utility company. They will look at the total picture, embracing also topics such as problems and benefits for investors, customers and the staff of these companies and will outline the new business opportunities that have arisen from these changes.
This Progress Seminar, addressing the experiences of the early privatisation activities will be of particular interest for those utilities on the brink of change as we move towards a de-regulated Europe.
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Evolution of Land Information Systems in the Countries of Central Europe:
A Comparative Overview
Chair: J. Gazdzicki, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
Presenter: Theo Bogaerts, Faculty of Geodetic Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
Since the PHARE Programme of the European Union started in 1990, substantial support was given for the modernisation of land information systems in different countries in Central Europe. The land information systems comprise mainly the cadastral systems and the 1:10,000 (digital) mapping programmes. After five years the PHARE Programme is renewed and multi-annual indicative programmes for the coming five years are developed for the different countries. In this respect, also the cadastre programmes are evaluated. The presenter was requested to carry out strategic review studies for cadastral systems/land registrations in various countries. A comparison will be made between a number of countries (e.g. Poland, Hungary, etc.) focusing on the characteristics of the cadastral systems in the countries involved. The interest of the European Union in supporting land registration is due to the fact that this information is essential for a free market in real property. The property market is a cornerstone in the development of a free market economy. The modernisation of cadastral systems is a very complicated activity that can easily fail. The strategic review studies contain a description of the so-called critical success factors for the modernisation/automation of the cadastres. In this context, criticism should be understood as essential for a successful or unsuccessful outcome. The factors that are elaborated are:
The European Union wants to see a clear benefit from the investment in the cadastral systems. Therefore the strategic review studies contain the most important applications of the registration which are
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European Issues
Chair: Michael Brand, President EUROGI, Belfast, United Kingdom
Recent developments with respect to geographic information at the European level will be reviewed with reference to the overall strategy developed by the European Umbrella Organisation for Geographic Information. New developments which will be reported include the developments in the areas of European and global GI infrastructures and the development of the other items of the EUROGI workplan, e.g. legal issues, standards and interoperability, role of the public/private sectors, compilation and publication of directories concerning the GI community.
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Accreditation of GIS Professions and Education Programmes
Chair: Ian Masser, University of Sheffield, Department of Town and Regional Planning, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Presenters: William E. Huxhold, University of Wisconsin, Department of Urban Planning, Milwaukee, USA Allan G. Levinsohn, (ISP), A.G. Levinsohn Consulting, Canmore, Canada
William Huxhold and Allan Levinsohn are co-authors of the book 'Managing Geographic Information System Projects' (1995) and can both be considered authorities in the field of GIS implementation and education. They both have a profound interest in sharing their knowledge and experience and put a large amount of effort in educating students as well as working professionals on the broad range of issues that are associated with GIS. From day to day experience they know that one of the most difficult problems in GIS implementation is staffing: finding the right people for the right jobs. Accreditation would be of help in defining the professions as well as the knowledge and skills that should be acquired in GIS education programmes.
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