Unit 6: GIS (Geographical Information System)
WHAT IS GIS?
GIS, stands for Geographic Information System
GIS is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze ,
manage and present spatial or geographical data.
GIS can relate the unrelated information using the location as the
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM key index variable.
GIS is a powerful and useful tool for monitoring, management
(GIS) and prediction of spatial complex phenomena.
GIS is a support tool to decision making which is more used now.
In brief, GIS is more than just a map
By Er. Rojil Shrestha
Civil Instructor
Nepal Banepa Polytechnic Institute
1 2
COMPONENTS OF GIS COMPONENTS OF GIS
Hardware Hardware
Software Hardware is the computer system on which GIS
operates
Data
People Software
Methods GIS software provides the function and tools
needed to store, analyze and display
geographic information.
3 4
1
Unit 6: GIS (Geographical Information System)
COMPONENTS OF GIS COMPONENTS OF GIS
Data People
Data is perhaps the most important component of a GIS technology is of limited value without the
GIS. people who manages the system and develops
plans for applying it to a real world problems.
There is spatial or geographic data and tabular GIS users range from technical specialists who
related data. design and the maintain the system to those who
It can be collected in-house, or occasionally use it to help them perform their everyday work.
purchased from a commercial data provider. The identification of GIS specialists to end users is
A GIS can integrate spatial data with tabular data often critical to the proper implementation of GIS
stored in a DBMS. technology.
5 6
COMPONENTS OF GIS GIS DATA
Methods Types of GIS Data
Methods, are the techniques, procedures, Spatial data (geographic data)
models, or operating practices effectively used Attribute data:
by GIS users (people) with other component to
carry the mapping project.
A successful GIS operates according to a well-
designed implementation plan.
7 8
2
Unit 6: GIS (Geographical Information System)
GIS DATA SPATIAL DATA MODEL
Spatial data (geographic data) Spatial data are the foundation of GIS.
Data that describe the absolute and relative They represent features on, above, or below the
location of geographic features or phenomena.
Earth’s surface.
Attribute data:
These features are often referred to as layers.
Data that describe characteristics of the spatial
features or phenomena. There are two major types of spatial data
These characteristics can be quantitative and/or models:
qualitative in nature. Vector data model
Attribute data is often referred to as tabular data. Raster data model
9 10
SPATIAL DATA MODEL SPATIAL DATA MODEL
Vector Data Model: Raster Data Model:
Vector data represent features as discrete points, lines, and polygons.
Key components of the vector data model include:
Raster data represent the landscape as a
• Points: rectangular grid of square cells (pixels).
• Represent specific locations on the ground (e.g., USGS brass caps or virtual
points based on map scale).
Common examples of raster data include:
• Lines: Represent linear features (e.g., roads, rivers, boundaries). • Images: Satellite imagery, aerial photographs.
• Polygons: Represent areas (e.g., city boundaries, land parcels). • Digital Elevation Models (DEMs): Represent elevation
Vector data provide precise representations but can be complex in values across a continuous surface.
terms of data structures, potentially affecting processing speed.
• Grids: Regularly spaced data (e.g., temperature,
Most features on printed maps (such as cities, roads, and boundaries) precipitation).
are represented using vector data.
Raster data are efficient for continuous phenomena
but may lose precision compared to vector data.
11 12
3
Unit 6: GIS (Geographical Information System)
APPLICATIONS OF GIS APPLICATIONS OF GIS
Agriculture Agriculture:
Environment Drought management: GIS helps identify areas
Urban Planning & Transportation experiencing water scarcity, preventing damage to
crops and resources.
Disaster Management
Pest control: By analyzing spatial data, GIS
Business & Marketing predicts pest attacks, aiding in planning pest
Health & Human Services management strategies.
Tourism Land and soil analysis: Field workers use GIS to
Oil & Gas gather information about land and soil conditions.
Banking Sector Planning for future food demand: Governments
and farmers can plan crop production based on
Defense & Military Operations population needs.
13 14
APPLICATIONS OF GIS APPLICATIONS OF GIS
Disaster Management: Business & Marketing:
Risk assessment: GIS identifies vulnerable Market analysis: Companies use GIS to analyze
areas and helps plan disaster response. customer demographics and market trends.
Resource allocation: During disasters, GIS Retail site selection: GIS helps choose optimal
assists in allocating resources efficiently. locations for stores.
Damage assessment: It aids in assessing the Supply chain management: It optimizes
impact of natural disasters. logistics and distributions.
15 16
4
Unit 6: GIS (Geographical Information System)
APPLICATIONS OF GIS APPLICATIONS OF GIS
Health & Human Services: Tourism:
Disease tracking: GIS monitors disease spread Destination management: GIS aids in
and helps prevent outbreaks. promoting and managing tourist spots.
Healthcare planning: It assists in locating Tourist route planning: It optimizes travel routes
medical facilities and resources. for tourists
Population health: GIS analyzes health-related
data
17 18
APPLICATIONS OF GIS APPLICATIONS OF GIS
Oil & Gas: Banking Sector:
Exploration: GIS helps locate potential energy Risk assessment: GIS assesses risks related to
resources. loan portfolios and investments
Pipeline management: It optimizes pipeline Defense & Military Operations:
routes and maintenance Strategic planning: GIS assists in military
operations and base location selection
19 20
5
Unit 6: GIS (Geographical Information System)
APPLICATION OF GIS IN CIvIL
ENGINEERING
Visualizing Data: GIS helps civil engineers and urban planners analyze and visualize land use
patterns, zoning regulations, and development potentials. By overlaying different layers of
information (such as topography, infrastructure, and environmental data), professionals can gain
insights into spatial relationships and make informed decisions.
Conducting Environmental Impact Analyses: GIS allows engineers to assess the environmental
impact of proposed projects. By integrating data on soil quality, vegetation, water bodies, and
air quality, they can identify potential risks and plan mitigation strategies.
THANK YOU!!!
Determining Economic Feasibility: Civil engineers use GIS to evaluate the economic viability of
infrastructure projects. It helps them analyze factors like transportation costs, accessibility, and
land value, aiding in project planning and budgeting.
Ensuring Compliance with Zoning Requirements: GIS assists in land allocation for different
purposes (residential, commercial, industrial, recreational) by ensuring compliance with zoning
regulations. It helps identify suitable areas for specific activities.
Integrating and Sharing Data: GIS facilitates data integration from various sources, including
satellite imagery, surveys, and sensor networks. This centralized data repository enables
collaboration among stakeholders and streamlines project management.
Supporting Design Exploration: GIS provides exploration tools for civil engineering
design. Engineers can analyze material consumption, hydrology, soil load, runoff, air emissions,
slope stability, traffic capacity, and erosion control.
Remember that GIS is a powerful tool that enhances efficiency, accuracy, and informed decision-
making throughout the project lifecycle. If you have any specific questions or need further
details, feel free to ask!
21 22
